A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned to businesses by Dun & Bradstreet. It is widely used by lenders, suppliers, and government agencies to identify and verify companies. Having one is often a first step toward a recognized commercial credit profile.
Why a D-U-N-S Number Matters
- Dun & Bradstreet can only build a credit file for your business once it is in their database.
- Some large customers and government contracting programs ask for the number during vendor registration.
- It helps suppliers and partners confirm that your company is real and consistent across records.
How to Request One
Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website and use their free lookup to check whether your company already has a number. If not, you can submit a request with your legal business name, address, phone number, number of employees, and business structure. Standard requests are typically processed at no charge, although paid options for faster handling or extra services exist. You are never required to buy a paid product to get the basic number.
Get Your Information Right
Use exactly the same legal name and address that appear on your state registration and tax filings. Mismatches can cause duplicate or incomplete records, which hurt your ability to build credit history.
After You Have the Number
Claim and review your company profile, update contact details, and ask your vendors to report your payments. Then monitor your PAYDEX score once enough trade data exists. A profile with no reported accounts typically will not generate a score, so patience and activity are both required.
A Note on Upsells
You may receive offers for monitoring or credit-building packages. Review them carefully and compare prices. Many owners do fine with the free basics while they grow.
Procedures and fees may change; confirm details on the official website. This article is general information only.