D-U-N-S Number Lookup: Business Locations, Registry Checks and UEI

    Find and interpret D-U-N-S business-location identifiers, distinguish SAM.gov UEI, and cross-check the legal entity against official company records.

    3 min read·Updated Oct 9, 2026

    D-U-N-S Number Lookup: Quick Answer

    A D-U-N-S number is a nine-digit proprietary identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet to a business location. Use D&B's current lookup service and compare the legal name, country and address. DUNS is not a government company-registration number; US federal systems use the SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI).

    D-U-N-S
    Data Universal Numbering System — 9-digit ID issued by Dun & Bradstreet since 1963.
    Lookup
    Use D&B's current official lookup and follow its regional access requirements; match the business location as well as the name.
    UEI
    The SAM.gov Unique Entity ID replaced DUNS as the authoritative identifier in US federal systems on 4 April 2022.
    Location
    D-U-N-S numbers can identify individual branches or business locations, not only separate incorporated legal entities.

    A D-U-N-S number identifies a business location in Dun & Bradstreet's proprietary data system. Use it for the recipient's stated purpose, then verify incorporation separately against the relevant official register. It is not a universal government identifier or a company safety assessment.

    Match the Location, Not Just the Name

    A legal entity can have multiple locations with separate D-U-N-S numbers. Compare the legal name, country and address, and clarify whether the result is a headquarters, branch or subsidiary. Do not silently transfer facts from one location to another. See D&B's official lookup guidance.

    Use the Current Official Lookup

    Start with D&B's lookup service. Follow the current regional access steps. Search the legal name and country, compare the address, and retain the D-U-N-S number with its source and retrieval date. A missing result is a reason to clarify the record, not proof that the business is unregistered.

    Lookup, Bulk Data and Registry Evidence

    D&B's bulk and API services have their own commercial and access terms. LemReveal's Company Lookup helps research available registry evidence; it does not promise a DUNS result or complete coverage of every business. Keep commercial-data records distinct from government company records.

    DUNS Is Not the SAM.gov UEI

    On 4 April 2022, US federal systems switched from DUNS to the Unique Entity ID (SAM). Follow GSA's official transition guidance and the current SAM.gov process. For commercial onboarding, ask the recipient which identifier it requires.

    Getting or Correcting a D-U-N-S Number

    Use D&B's current official regional process. Confirm the location and legal entity before requesting a new record so that an address or name correction does not become an unnecessary duplicate. Verify timing and charges directly; do not rely on a universal expedited price.

    Keep Identifier Types Separate

  1. EIN — US federal tax identifier.
  2. UEI — SAM.gov entity identifier for federal systems.
  3. LEI — 20-character Legal Entity Identifier used for applicable financial-market purposes.
  4. Company registration number — identify the issuing register and jurisdiction.
  5. SIRET — identifies a French establishment, while SIREN identifies the legal unit.
  6. D-U-N-S — proprietary business-location identifier from D&B.

    7. These identifiers are not interchangeable and do not individually establish creditworthiness or permission for regulated activity.

    Bulk D-U-N-S Lookup

    For a whole list, use the D&B Direct API or a service built on top of it. To cross-check those companies against their national registers, use LemReveal's Company Lookup.

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    Step-by-Step

    1. 1

      Open the official D&B lookup

      Start at https://www.dnb.com/en-us/smb/duns/duns-lookup.html and follow the current country-specific lookup and access steps.

    2. 2

      Enter legal name + country

      Use the registered legal name (not brand/trading name) and select the country of incorporation. Accuracy matters here — 'Apple Inc' returns different results to 'Apple Computer, Inc'.

    3. 3

      Verify the address

      Multiple companies share names. Match the returned address against the company's Companies House / SEC / registry filing to confirm identity.

    4. 4

      Cross-check the legal entity

      Separately confirm the legal entity in its official company register. EDGAR covers securities filers, not every US business. A D&B location record does not replace incorporation evidence.

    5. 5

      Clarify a missing record

      Ask D&B about a new or corrected record through its current official process. Check regional eligibility, processing times and charges rather than relying on a fixed turnaround promise.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is D-U-N-S number lookup free?+

    Check the current D&B service for your country. Basic lookup and paid bulk/API products have different conditions; do not assume every route is account-free or unlimited.

    Why might I need a D-U-N-S number?+

    Some commercial onboarding programmes use DUNS; check the recipient's current requirements. SAM.gov and other GSA systems switched to the UEI on 4 April 2022, so DUNS is not the current federal entity identifier.

    How long does it take to get a new DUNS?+

    Consult D&B's current regional process for timing, eligibility and any expedited options. This guide does not guarantee an assignment date or fixed fee.

    Does one company always have one DUNS number?+

    No. D&B assigns numbers at individual branch or business-location level. Compare the exact location and legal entity, and do not mistake different location identifiers for separate incorporations.

    What's the difference between DUNS and an EIN?+

    EIN is a US IRS tax ID (federal use only). DUNS is a global business identifier used for procurement, credit, and supply-chain identification. Non-US companies rarely have an EIN but often have a DUNS.

    What is this number?

    Paste any business identifier — VAT, LEI, company number, DUNS, ABN, CNPJ, CIN, CIK — and we will tell you what it is and who issues it. Where this decoder supports the identifier's check digit, it also validates it; other results are clearly marked as format-only matches.

    Nothing leaves your browser — the check runs locally.

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    ABN Lookup: Search by ABN, ACN or Business Name

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