How to Acquire a D‐U‐N‐S Number

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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A Data Universal Number System (D-U-N-S) number is a 9-digit designation provided to companies or organizations through Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a company that researches businesses and provides information on them for credit or other decisions. Companies often elect to get a D-U-N-S number for use in international business, and many non-profit organizations apply for the number so that they can bid for grants or contracts from the US government.

Steps

Preparing to Apply for a D-U-N-S Number

Recognize the benefits. Obtaining a D-U-N-S number can have numerous benefits for your business. It verifies that your business is in operation, and places you on a detailed directory listing which is available to other organizations to look through. You will be placing information about your business, including the address, contact information, and business structure, onto a well-known directory. Having a D-U-N-S number can boost your company's credibility, potentially opening new lines of credit as well as enabling your business to expand. For example, having a D-U-N-S number is required to apply for a government contract, and in some instances, do business abroad. It is possible to register through D&B for free.

Check that you are not already registered. Make sure your organization has not already been assigned a number before you go any further with the application. If you bought the business, it may well have already been registered. You can check this quickly online by visiting the official Dun & Bradstreet website and searching for your company. You can type in the name and location of your business and you will see whether or not you have a D-U-N-S number. Since the numbers are unique and site-specific, they stay with the organization, even if the organization is closed, and they are never assigned again. To search for your company visit: https://www.dnb.com/duns.html. You can also search for US companies by phone number: https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html. If you are looking for a non-US company you can still search online.

Gather the information you need to apply. In order to apply for a D-U-N-S number you will need to provide some detailed information about your business. It will save you time if you gather all the following information before going to the online registration form: The legal name of your business or organization. Your headquarters information, including name and address. Any other names associated with your business, sometimes known as "Doing Business As" or DBA. Further address information, including zip code, state, and city. The mailing address, such as a post office box, of your organization. The organization's main telephone number. The name and title of the person who will be listed as the D-U-N-S contact for your organization. The number of employees at your location. Whether or not you are a home-based business.

Obtaining a D-U-N-S Number

Verify your identity. When you are ready to proceed with your application, you can go to the website and click through to request your D-U-N-S number. If you are a US company you will be taken to the government's iUpdate portal. Before you are able to complete the registration, you will be required to verify your identity by answering series of questions based on geographical and demographic information. Once you have successfully done this, you will be able to create a username and password and won't have to keep verifying your identity. You are given two chances to successfully pass the identity verification test. If you fail the second time, you will have to complete a D&B Government iUpdate Personal/Business Identification Certification which requires backup documentation and notarization.

Complete the application. Once you have passed the identity verification phase you will be able to continue on with the application. You simply have to type in all the required information about your company. It should only take a few minutes if you have the information on hand. When you have filled in the application you just have to wait until your number is assigned. Grant applicants or government contractors can often get their D-U-N-S number within two business days free of charge. Other business can get a number for free, but it may take up to 30 days. There are expedited options available, but the costs will be hundreds of dollars.

Update your information through the iUpdate portal. When you have your D-U-N-S number you will be able to monitor and update information about your business through iUpdate. This online portal enables organizations to easily view and edit the company information as well as search through other companies registered with a D-U-N-S number. You may be required to verify your identity before editing information about your company. The iUpdate portal is only available to companies located in the continental US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgins Islands.

Apply if you are a foreign company. Companies based outside the US can register for a D-U-N-S number through the same website. Select the country in which your organization is based and follow the instructions on the website. You may be required to obtain a federal Tax Identification Number (also known as an Employer Identification Number). You may be required to make a payment of $500.