Getting a D-U-N-S Number for your LLC is free and starts with a simple online registration through Dun & Bradstreet, the only company that issues these nine-digit business identifiers. The process takes up to 30 business days with standard processing, though you can pay for faster turnaround. Here’s everything you need to know to get yours set up.
What a D-U-N-S Number Does for Your LLC
A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned to your business by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). It’s the foundation of your business credit profile, separate from your personal credit. Banks, lenders, suppliers, and even government agencies use it to look up your company’s creditworthiness and payment history.
Once your LLC has a D-U-N-S Number, D&B can begin building a PAYDEX score for your business. PAYDEX works like a credit score but for companies. It’s calculated based on “Trade Experiences,” which are payment events reported by your suppliers, vendors, and lenders. Every time you pay (or miss a payment to) a vendor registered with D&B as a Trade Reference, they can report it, and that history shapes your score. To generate an actual PAYDEX score, D&B needs at least two different Trade References to report three separate payment experiences each.
Beyond credit, a D-U-N-S Number is required if your LLC wants to bid on federal government contracts or apply for certain grants. Many large corporations also require one from vendors before signing supply agreements.
Check Whether Your LLC Already Has One
Before you apply, check whether your LLC was already assigned a D-U-N-S Number. D&B maintains a massive database of businesses, and your company may already have a profile, especially if a vendor, lender, or credit bureau reported information about it. Use the free D-U-N-S Number Lookup Tool on D&B’s website. Select “My Company” and enter your LLC’s address or phone number. If a number exists, the tool will return it.
If the lookup comes up empty, there are two possible explanations. Your LLC’s phone number or address in D&B’s records may not match what you typed in, particularly if the business has moved or changed numbers since it was first created in the system. The other possibility is simply that your LLC doesn’t have one yet, which means you need to apply.
Information You’ll Need Before Applying
D&B’s registration form asks for standard details about your LLC. Have the following ready before you start:
- Legal business name exactly as it appears on your formation documents
- Physical business address (not just a P.O. box)
- Phone number associated with the business
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Name of the principal or owner listed on the LLC
- Number of employees and estimated annual revenue
- Industry or line of business your LLC operates in
If you haven’t yet obtained an EIN for your LLC, do that first through the IRS website. It’s free and typically issued immediately online. Your D-U-N-S application will go more smoothly with an EIN already in hand.
How to Apply Step by Step
Go to the Dun & Bradstreet website and navigate to the “Get a D-U-N-S Number” page. From there, the process is straightforward:
- Search for your business. D&B will first check whether your LLC already exists in their system. If it does, you can claim it rather than creating a new record.
- Fill out the registration form. Enter your LLC’s legal name, address, contact information, EIN, industry details, and ownership information. Double-check everything, since errors here can cause delays or create duplicate records.
- Submit the form. Once submitted, D&B reviews and verifies the information before assigning your number.
- Wait for confirmation. You’ll receive your D-U-N-S Number by email once processing is complete.
There is no charge for a standard D-U-N-S Number. It’s completely free. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge a fee to “help” you get one. You can do this directly through D&B without paying anyone.
How Long It Takes
Standard processing takes up to 30 business days. That’s about six calendar weeks, so plan accordingly if you need the number for a specific contract bid, loan application, or grant deadline.
If you’re in a hurry, D&B offers expedited service for a fee. With the expedited option, you can receive your D-U-N-S Number within eight business days after successfully submitting the registration form. D&B doesn’t prominently list the expedited fee on its site, so expect to see the pricing during the application process. The standard free option works fine for most LLCs that aren’t facing an immediate deadline.
After You Get Your Number
Receiving your D-U-N-S Number is just the starting point. The number itself doesn’t automatically build your business credit. You need to actively use it.
Start by opening trade accounts with suppliers and vendors that report payment data to D&B. These are the Trade References that feed your PAYDEX score. Pay invoices on time, or early if possible, since PAYDEX rewards prompt payment. Over time, as vendors report your payment behavior, your business credit profile fills out and becomes useful to lenders and partners evaluating your LLC.
Keep your D&B profile updated. If your LLC moves, changes its phone number, or adds new locations, update that information with D&B directly. An outdated profile can make it harder for others to find your business in the system, and mismatched records can cause confusion when you’re applying for credit or contracts.
You can monitor your business credit profile through D&B’s website. Some monitoring tools are free, while more detailed reports and alerts come with paid subscriptions. At minimum, check your profile periodically to make sure the information is accurate and that reported trade experiences reflect your actual payment history.