A DUNS number is used to identify and verify a business entity
A D-U-N-S number is a unique nine-digit business identifier assigned and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet. Companies may be asked for it during organization verification, supplier onboarding, developer-platform enrollment, procurement and certain regulatory workflows.
Business identity and organization verification
The number helps third parties distinguish the legal entity and business location they are dealing with. Matching the legal company name and address is important because many verification systems compare the submitted information with the business record.
Supplier and vendor onboarding
Large companies and procurement systems may request a DUNS number when registering new suppliers or vendors. The buyer may use it as one element of company identification, due-diligence or master-data matching. The requirement is buyer-specific, so companies should follow the instructions of the organization requesting the number.
Apple Developer organization enrollment
Apple currently uses the D-U-N-S number to verify the identity and legal-entity status of organizations enrolling in the Apple Developer Program or Apple Developer Enterprise Program. Apple states that companies and educational institutions must provide a number registered to their legal entity, while government organizations have different rules.
Google Play organization accounts
Google Play currently requires a D-U-N-S number when creating an organization developer account and uses it as part of organization identity verification. Google also checks organization information associated with the linked payments profile, so the legal name and address should be consistent.
FDA food-facility and importer workflows
U.S. FDA materials currently recognize the DUNS number as an acceptable Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) for food-facility registration. FDA also uses an accepted UFI in Foreign Supplier Verification Program importer requirements. These are specific regulatory workflows; a DUNS number is not automatically required for every company exporting to the United States.
Automotive, industrial and enterprise supplier networks
DUNS numbers are also encountered in automotive, industrial and other enterprise supplier-registration processes. Requirements differ by manufacturer, customer, tender and procurement program, so confirm the current requirement with the buyer or platform before starting a new request.
Is a DUNS number required everywhere?
No. A DUNS number is not a universal requirement for every company, marketplace, bank or international transaction. It should be obtained or used when a specific platform, customer, procurement process or regulatory workflow requires it, or when the business has another clear need for the identifier.
What should you do if someone asks for your DUNS number?
First check whether the legal entity already has an existing D-U-N-S record. If a correct record exists, use the number associated with the entity and location being verified. If no suitable record exists, prepare the registered legal name, official address and company-registration details before following the appropriate request process.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DUNS number required for Apple Developer?
Apple requires organizations enrolling in its developer programs to provide a D-U-N-S number for legal-entity verification, subject to Apple’s current rules and exceptions.
Is a DUNS number required for Google Play?
Google Play requires a D-U-N-S number for organization developer accounts under its current verification rules, with specific exceptions such as recognized government organizations.
Is DUNS used by the FDA?
FDA currently recognizes the DUNS number as an acceptable Unique Facility Identifier in specific food-facility and importer workflows. The requirement depends on the regulatory process.
Should I request a new DUNS number every time a platform asks for one?
No. Check for an existing record first. Creating a duplicate record can make verification and data matching more difficult.
Official references
Platform and regulatory requirements can change. Check the current official rules for the workflow that applies to your company:
Check the existing record before starting a new request
If a customer, platform or regulator asks for a DUNS number, first confirm whether the legal entity already has the correct record.