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How to Get a D-U-N-S Number and Verify the D&B Business Profile

Check for an existing record, submit consistent company information, complete validation, and review the profile after assignment.

By StartWise Global Editorial TeamPublished August 5, 202610 minute read

Search before requesting a new number

Dun & Bradstreet may already have a record for the company. Search using the legal name, address, and phone before submitting a new request. Duplicate records can split company information and create extra work when vendors or partners try to verify the business.

If an existing record has old information, use the profile-management process instead of applying for another D-U-N-S Number.

Prepare the exact company identity

D&B may request the legal company name, business address, phone, owner or executive name, legal structure, formation year, industry, and employee count. Use the same core information shown in the state, IRS, website, bank, and internal company records.

A free D-U-N-S request does not require the purchase of an expedited or monitoring product. Normal processing and verification times can vary.

  • Legal company name and trade name
  • Current business address
  • Business-controlled phone number
  • Owner or executive information
  • Entity type and formation year
  • Primary industry and employee count

Be ready for validation

D&B can contact the company to validate submitted information. Make sure the phone, website, email, address, and company representative can support the application. A disconnected number or inconsistent public record can slow validation.

Keep the confirmation and any case reference. Do not submit repeated applications while the first request is still being reviewed.

Review the profile after assignment

A D-U-N-S Number links to a company profile. Check the name, address, phone, industry, ownership, employee count, and other available details. Request corrections through the official profile-management route when the data is wrong.

The number itself is not a credit score and does not create credit history. It provides a business identifier that can be used by vendors, partners, and credit systems.

Connect the profile to real commercial activity

Build business credit through legitimate vendor accounts, accurate invoices, on-time payments, stable banking, and responsible cash flow. Monitor whether selected providers actually report and whether the company information remains consistent.

The profile should be reviewed whenever the company changes address, phone, ownership, industry, or legal structure.

Sources and further reading

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