Small businesses around the world use the D-U-N-S number, or DUNS number, as a unique identifier, allowing potential partners and lenders to access certain information about them, including a credit history.

Whether you’re just starting to build your business or you’ve been operating for some time, here’s what you need to know about the DUNS number and when to get one.

What Is a DUNS Number?

The DUNS number is a unique nine-digit number used to identify small businesses, similar to a Social Security number for individuals. The DUNS number was created by the commercial credit bureau, Dun & Bradstreet, using its data universal numbering system. 

The number was developed in 1962 and is now recommended or required by more than 200 government, trade, and industry organizations around the world. Hundreds of millions of businesses around the world use the system. 

The DUNS number can help potential business partners and lenders identify and access a company’s credit file, which may include information about the company, such as its name, address, contact information, branches, subsidiaries, credit history, and more.

The DUNS number is also tied to the PAYDEX^® Score, a business credit score that ranges from 0 to 100. 

As with personal credit scores, the PAYDEX^® Score helps lenders and other entities evaluate a company’s creditworthiness. More specifically, the score includes your payment history over the last 24 months. A score of 80 or higher is considered a good score.

It also provides access to your Delinquency Predictor Score, Financial Stress Score, and Supplier Evaluation Risk Rating, all of which can be used to assess your company’s financial strength.

Note that your DUNS number is separate from your employer identification number (EIN), which is mainly used for tax purposes.

How Is a DUNS Number Helpful?

There are several reasons why small business owners should consider applying for a DUNS number:

• Helps you build your business credit: The PAYDEX^® Score isn’t the only business credit score out there, but it’s one of the major ones, and you can’t have one without a DUNS number. Once you’re set up, you’ll also be able to use your DUNS number to track your progress in building your credit.
• Improves your odds for favorable financing terms: If you don’t have a DUNS number, you may have a harder time getting approved for financing when you need it. As you build your business credit history, having a DUNS number and PAYDEX^® Score will improve your chances of qualifying for better financing terms, such as longer vendor credit payment terms, lower interest rates on loans, and more.
• Adds credibility to your brand: When doing business with others, having a DUNS number helps legitimize your business and provides potential partners with the necessary information to verify and evaluate your business’s financials and creditworthiness before they sign agreements.

Note that it’s no longer required to have a DUNS number to qualify for federal contractors or grants. The federal government now requires a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) instead, which you can obtain via SAM.gov.

When Should You Get a DUNS Number?

It’s a good idea for most small businesses to have a DUNS number, but it’s particularly true for the following situations:

• You want access to financing: Whether now or in the future, if you plan to build your business through financing, having a DUNS number and PAYDEX^® Score is crucial. Even if you only plan to rely on vendor credit to operate your business, having a DUNS number and working with vendors to build a credit history can provide crucial opportunities for better financing terms. 
• You want to work with other businesses: As your business grows, you may benefit from partnerships and agreements with other companies. If you don’t have a DUNS number, though, it could stall talks. You’ll likely also want prospective partners’ DUNS numbers to access details about their financials and credit history.
  

Fortunately, the process of getting a DUNS number is relatively easy, and it’s also free. So, the sooner you apply for one, the better.

How to Apply for a DUNS Number

You can apply for a DUNS number directly with Dun & Bradstreet, the credit reporting agency that offers them. Visit the credit bureau’s website to learn more about the unique identifier, then click on “Get Started” to start the application process.

You’ll need to create an account using your full name, email address, and a password. Then you’ll provide the following information:

• Legal business name
• Year started
• Company address
• Number of employees
• Business structure
• Principal title
• Principal name
• Business website
• Business description (Standard Industrial Classification code [SIC])

If you don’t know your SIC code, you can provide some keywords to find the applicable code. If you want to expedite your application, you can also attach two legal documents that verify your business name and address. 

Acceptable documents include:

• Articles of incorporation
• EIN/TIN confirmation letter
• Proof of a business phone service
• Proof of a utility bill in your company’s name
• Proof of business insurance, such as a workers’ compensation policy or casualty insurance
• Proof of a business lease for the building, equipment, or a vehicle

If you don’t have two such documents or you’d prefer not to share them, you can submit your application without them.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you should expect to receive your number within 30 business days. 

How to Look Up Your DUNS Number

Just as you can use your Social Security number to look up your personal credit history and credit score, you can also look up your own DUNS number to view the information provided for your business.

An easy way to look up your DUNS number is to sign up for CreditSignal with Dun & Bradstreet. The free business credit monitoring service offers access to your Dun & Bradstreet scores, and also provides you with real-time alerts when there are changes to the scores.

To sign up, you’ll start by sharing your business name and state. You’ll then provide your email address and other basic information to set up your account. 

Once you’re in, you’ll be able to review your DUNS number and associated information. It’s a good idea to check your DUNS number regularly to ensure that your details are correct. 

If you find inaccurate information on your Dun & Bradstreet report, you can file a dispute directly with the credit bureau.

The Bottom Line

A DUNS number is an important identifier for small businesses, so it’s a good idea to get one as soon as possible, even if you don’t have plans to use it yet. Having one will make it easier to build business credit and relationships and create the success you’re working toward.

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