D-U-N-S Number

After reading this article, you’ll understand what a D-U-N-S Number is, why you need one, and how to get one.

Why You Need a D-U-N-S Number

A D-U-N-S Number is a nine-digit unique identifier for businesses. The D-U-N-S Number is linked to your business credit report, payment history, and other information that can support establishing credibility with lenders, doing business with government and companies outside of the United States, along with many other use cases. The particular use case of interest here is a D-U-N-S Number is required for an Apple Developer Program Organization membership.

How to Get a D-U-N-S Number

To apply for a D-U-N-S number to use for Apple registration, visit Apple D-U-N-S Number support and utilize the D-U-N-S Number look up tool. The request is processed by Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (D&B). D&B allocates 2 weeks for completing this request, however, our experience is this typically takes closer to 1 week (data: requested 8/31/19, issued 9/9/19 for Tech Efficient LLC).

What to Expect

Expect a call from D&B as part of the D-U-N-S Number request. The D&B representative will ask if there are any trade names or DBAs associated with the company, confirm address, confirm if state business is registered within, ask what the nature of the business is, confirm phone number, and finally, ask for first and last name. Assuming acceptable answers, D&B will conclude with instruction to expect the D-U-N-S number within 24-48 hours, however, our experience is this typically takes closer to 1-hour (data: 1-hour for Tech Efficient LLC).

After Receipt

Upon successful completion of the application, you will receive an email with your D-U-N-S Number from D&B. Within the email, D&B states “You may start using your number in 7 days.” If you apply for enrollment in the Apple Developer Program within the 7 days of receiving your D-U-N-S Number, you may receive the following error: “The information you entered did not match your D&B profile. Before submitting your information, look up your D&B profile.” Despite having an email with the issued D-U-N-S Number from D&B, your information may not be available in the look up tool within the 7 day timeframe. From our experience, the D-U-N-S number can typically be used within 1 day (data: issued 9/9/19, updated 9/11/19, available 9/12/19 for Tech Efficient LLC).

Troubleshooting

You may experience issues during the D-U-N-S Number acquisition process. We provide background and solutions to problems you might encounter.

Legal Entity Recognition

Although infrequent (data: did not happen with GHW Enterprises LLC, did happen with Tech Efficient LLC), there can be an issue with your D&B profile preventing your company from being recognized as a legal entity. This situation leads to an error during the Apple Developer Program Enrollment.

Background

“In order for your company name to be listed on your App Store product page, your company must be recognized as a legal entity in your country/region. Sole proprietors and single person companies located in countries/regions where they are not recognized as legal entities will be enrolled and be listed for download under the enrollee’s personal legal name, if selected for distribution by Apple.”

Error

“This organization could not be verified as a legal entity, if you are a sole proprietorship/single person company, enroll as an individual. If this organization should be listed as a legal entity, update your D&B profile.”

Solution

By clicking the link, a request is submitted on your behalf and you are informed that D&B will contact you within 5 business days to confirm your information, however, our experience is this takes less than one day (data: <1 day for Tech Efficient LLC). One potential resolution description we’ve experience is “Match Found via host investigation, host database updated”, which took 1 day to receive the resolution email and another 1 day for the information to be available within Apple Developer Program Enrollment. We found D&B to be very responsive and helpful throughout the entire process.

Note: as of January 10, 2019, the applecs@dnb.com email address is no longer being monitored. Despite this fact, you may find this email included in an email from D&B. Please be advised that requests should be directed to the online form located here.