DUNS Number: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

The DUNS number has become essential for businesses looking to expand internationally, work with major organizations, or publish mobile applications. Yet many entrepreneurs are still unclear on what it is and how to obtain one. This complete guide covers everything — from definition to how to get yours — so you have all the information you need.

What is the DUNS Number?

The DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned to every business entity worldwide. It was created in 1962 by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), an American company specializing in commercial data that was founded in 1841. To date, more than 455 million companies across 224 countries have a DUNS number.

Unlike national identifiers such as the SIRET in France or the Companies House number in the UK, the DUNS is a global identifier. It works like a passport: no matter where your business operates in the world, this number uniquely and verifiably identifies it.

Origins: Created in 1962 by Dun & Bradstreet

Dun & Bradstreet launched the DUNS system in 1962 to address a pressing need: American businesses required a reliable way to identify their commercial partners and assess creditworthiness. Before the DUNS, no universal standard existed for identifying a company at the international level.

The strength of the system lies in its database: D&B maintains one of the world's largest commercial databases, fed by government sources, trade registries, financial data, and information provided directly by companies themselves.

Structure: 9 Digits, Hundreds of Millions of Companies

The DUNS number consists of 9 digits, typically written in the format XX-XXX-XXXX (with hyphens for readability — hence the name D-U-N-S). These digits are not random: they are assigned sequentially by Dun & Bradstreet when the number is created. Each number is unique and can never be reassigned.

An important detail: if your company has multiple sites or subsidiaries, each entity can have its own DUNS number. This makes it possible to distinguish a parent company from its branches, which is particularly useful for large organizations.

What is the DUNS Number Used For?

The DUNS number serves multiple purposes, and its importance keeps growing as the global economy becomes increasingly digital. Here are the main situations where you will need one.

International Public Procurement

If you want to bid on tenders from international organizations — the European Union, the United Nations, NATO, or the US government (via SAM.gov) — a DUNS number is mandatory. These organizations use it to verify the legal existence of your company, its financial health, and commercial history. Without a DUNS, your application will simply be rejected.

Learn more in our dedicated article on the DUNS number and international public procurement.

Apple Developer Program

To publish apps on the App Store as an organization (rather than as an individual developer), Apple has required a DUNS number for several years. This requirement allows Apple to verify that the entity publishing the application is a legally registered organization. The verification process can take up to 5 business days at D&B, plus an additional 2 days at Apple.

Google Play Store

Since 2023, Google has also begun requiring the DUNS number for certain categories of developers on the Play Store. This trend is expected to grow in the coming years, making the DUNS a standard prerequisite for publishing mobile applications as an organization.

B2B Partnerships and Commercial Credibility

Beyond regulatory requirements, the DUNS number plays an important role in commercial credibility. When you seek to establish partnerships with large companies — particularly American or Asian multinationals — they will often check your DUNS to assess your reliability and creditworthiness. Having an up-to-date DUNS number with accurate information is a significant competitive advantage.

How to Get Your DUNS Number

There are several ways to obtain a DUNS number, with significant differences in terms of timing and cost.

The Official D&B Method (Free, but Slow)

Dun & Bradstreet offers a free registration process through its official website. You fill in an online form with your company's information (legal name, address, local registration number, etc.), and D&B creates your profile in its global database. The catch? This process takes between 15 and 30 business days. If you have a deadline for a tender or an Apple Developer enrollment, this wait can be very costly.

Expedited Services (2 Minutes)

Services like DUNS Verify allow you to get your DUNS number in minutes for a small fee of €4.99. The process is straightforward: our service queries the Dun & Bradstreet databases directly and delivers your certified DUNS number by email in under 2 minutes. This is the ideal solution if you need your number quickly.

Cost and Timing: Key Comparison

The real question isn't "how much does the DUNS cost?" but "how much does waiting cost?" If a €50,000 contract slips away because you didn't have your DUNS in time, the cost calculation takes on an entirely different dimension.

DUNS vs National Identifiers

Every country has its own business identification system: the SIRET in France, the Companies House number in the UK, the Handelsregisternummer in Germany, the CIF in Spain. These are national identifiers — they work within their respective countries but are not recognized internationally.

The DUNS number fills this gap: it is a universal identifier recognized in 224 countries. It does not replace national identifiers — it complements them for international purposes. A French company needs both its SIRET (for domestic administrative purposes) and a DUNS (for international business).

Who Needs a DUNS Number?

• iOS developers who want to publish on the App Store as an organization
• Android developers on the Google Play Store (increasingly required)
• SMEs and mid-sized companies responding to international tenders
• Startups seeking partnerships with multinationals
• Exporters working with American or Asian buyers
• NGOs and associations receiving international funding

In short, if your business crosses — or aspires to cross — national borders, the DUNS number is an essential prerequisite. And with DUNS Verify, getting yours takes just 2 minutes.