A plain-English checklist of the information and supporting documents Dun & Bradstreet asks for — so you can gather everything before you start the free registration form.
Dun & Bradstreet doesn't require a specific fixed list of documents for every applicant — instead, it asks for enough business information and proof to confirm you're a real, legally existing business at the address you provide. In practice, that means you'll fill in a set of business details on the registration form, and D&B may separately ask you to upload one or two supporting documents to verify what you entered.
Before you touch any document, have these details ready — this is the core information every DUNS application asks for:
Have these ready before you start the form
If your business information can't be matched automatically, D&B typically asks you to upload one or two documents that confirm your business is legally registered and located where you say it is. Acceptable documents usually include:
Confirms your business legally exists
Confirms the business operates at the address you entered
The core idea is the same everywhere — prove the business exists and prove where it's located — but the exact paperwork D&B accepts shifts depending on where you're registering from and what you're registering for.
If you're registering specifically for a platform like Apple Developer or Google Play, that platform doesn't collect its own separate documents — you still go through D&B's process, and D&B may follow up with you directly if anything needs clarifying.
If your business isn't formally registered yet — no LLC filing, no business license, nothing on record with your state — that's the step to complete before applying for a DUNS number, since D&B can't verify a business that doesn't legally exist on paper. Sole proprietors operating under their own legal name sometimes have more flexibility here, since a personal ID and proof of address may be enough.
No. You can register with a Social Security number as a sole proprietor, though an EIN makes the business-verification step smoother and is recommended if you plan to use the DUNS number for federal contracting or larger platforms.
Yes, as long as it's a genuine physical address rather than a P.O. box. D&B links each DUNS number to a specific physical location, so the address on your documents needs to match what you enter on the form.
You'll need at least your state business registration or articles of formation before applying, since D&B verifies that the business legally exists. If you haven't filed yet, that's the step to complete first.
Requirements vary by country. Some D&B regional offices accept local-language documents, while others ask for an official English translation. Check the specific guidance shown on your country's registration form.
Every business situation is a little different. Message us and we'll help you figure out exactly what you need before you start the form.
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