FAQs around the process of getting a D-U-N-S number
Do I have a D-U-N-S Number
You may already have one; it is a good idea to look as you may already have one! You can check here https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html
Why do I need a D-U-N-S number?
Your D-U-N-S Number will be used to check the identity and legal entity status of your organization as part of our enrollment verification process for joining the Apple Developer Go Google Play Program. Apple has a good explanation HERE
How long does it take to get a D-U-N-S number?
Getting a D-U-N-S number takes 4-8 weeks. It requires multiple touchpoints from you. Not following up with DNB will lead to delays. Some will claim 2-4 weeks, but the average is always longer. Foreign companies can expect 6-12 weeks of waiting.
How much does it cost to get a D-U-N-S number?
It’s free, but you will need to spend some time with phone and online support to get your application moving.
Do I have to be a US company to get a D-U-N-S number?
DNB supports several countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom. You can check if your country is supported by changing the country selector on the DNB website.
My country is not supported. How do I get a D-U-N-S number?
First, register a legal entity in the US and then apply for a D-U-N-S number under your incorporated US company. You can expedite this process with Stripe Atlas or Incfile.
How Long will it take to get a D-U-N-S number?
- It takes up to 10-14 days for D-U-N-S to process your initial application.
- Afterward, it takes up to 7 days for DNB to call you and verify your entity.
Create your account- Steps to apply for your D-U-N-S number
This is straightforward. Here are some handy links to create your account quickly.
- United States businesses: https://www.dnb.com/duns/get-a-dnb-duns-number.html#search
- Canadian businesses: https://www.dnb.com/ca-en/duns-number/get-a-duns.html
If you are in a different country, follow the steps from step 1 and see if there’s a “get a D-U-N-S number” navigation item in your region.
Fill out your application.
Make sure the phone number is valid and active. DNB will need to call you to verify your identity and legal operation.
Wait for a call from DNB
Two types of calls will come through:
- Business verification call. Do not miss this. If you do, you may have to restart the whole process.
- DNB sales upsell call. Answer this so you can get a name within sales. This can help because they can’t really sell you on their credit products without a valid DNB number, and the sales associate has a direct link with DNB customer support.
If you still see "Company Pending" 10 days after the call
If you still see “Company Pending” on your company name after 7 days of your verification call, open a support case ticket.
Some note around this stage of the process.
- After you log in, your company name will actually say “Company pending.” If it remains like this after your verification call, you need to open a support ticket.
- Failure to open a support ticket moves your account into limbo, and often need to restart the process.
Log in at least every 7 days and check the status.
DNB won't let you know right away when you receive your D-U-N-S number. So, you should log in frequently to the dashboard and check the status. Use the case number within their live chat system to reference the status periodically.
This entire process is human-workflow driven. Mistakes can occur on the DNB side. Be vigilant in the process.
🏆Receive your DUNS number.
If you check your dashboard frequently, you should see this under your company profile. Sometimes, the dropdown on the top left will have two items (pending company) and the newly registered company.