The greatest benefit of establishing a DUNS number for your small business is that anyone seeking to better understand your business’ credit history and creditworthiness will likely look to Dun & Bradstreet to find this information. Businesses that contract with government agencies are required to have a DUNS number.

Besides, What can I use my DUNS number for?


7 Things You Can Do With a DUNS Number

  • Establish Business Credit. …
  • Track Your Credit Report. …
  • Obtain Financing. …
  • Apply for Government Contracts. …
  • Appeal to Potential Partners. …
  • Develop Apps. …
  • Register as a Supplier. …
  • Apply for SSL Certificate.

Keeping this in mind, Do I need a DUNS number to open a business bank account? At the time you open your business bank account, you should also request a business credit card. … A simple way to do this is register with the business credit bureaus, Experian and Equifax, and open a business credit file. Finally, you will need to set up a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet.

What is the purpose of a Dun and Bradstreet number?

A D&B DUNS number is a nine-digit number that is recognized as the universal standard to track businesses worldwide. It is designed to enhance the credibility of your business and enable potential customers, lenders and suppliers to learn about your company.

Is a DUNS number secret?

Details. The DUNS number is a nine-digit number, issued by D&B, assigned to each business location in the D&B database, having a unique, separate, and distinct operation for the purpose of identifying them. The DUNS number is random, and the digits have no apparent significance.

Can I use my EIN instead of SSN when applying for credit?

Can I Use My EIN Instead of My SSN When Applying for Credit? Once you have an EIN, you can apply for credit with it instead of your personal SSN. However, most credit card companies and banks will still require an SSN because they require personal guarantees.

How do I build credit with an EIN?

Establish credit trade accounts with several companies that offer revolving credit lines. Use your EIN when filling out applications, charge what you need and then pay the amount in full and before the due date to establish good credit. Companies like Dell, Staples and Lowe’s often work with new businesses.

Can a sole proprietor get a DUNS number?

Any business owner, from sole proprietor to large corporation, can go online and request a DUNS number for free. It normally takes about 30 days to process, but you have the option to pay for an expedited service should your business needs require you to get the number quickly.

What documents are required to open a business bank account?


What do I need to open a business bank account?

  1. Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) …
  2. Personal identification. …
  3. Business formation documents. …
  4. Ownership agreements. …
  5. Business license. …
  6. Certificate of assumed name. …
  7. Monthly credit card revenue.

What is required for a business bank account?


What You Need to Open a Business Bank Account

  1. Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN) …
  2. Personal Identification. …
  3. Business License. …
  4. Certificate of Assumed Name. …
  5. Partnership Agreement. …
  6. Organizing Documents. …
  7. Monthly Credit Card Revenue.

What do I need to open a business bank account for LLC?


How to Open an LLC Bank Account

  1. Business tax ID.
  2. Date business was formed.
  3. Country and state of legal formation (formed in U.S. to apply online)
  4. Country and state of primary business operation (must be a U.S.-operating business)
  5. Legal business name and DBA (“doing business as”) name, if applicable.

Can I use my DUNS number for credit?

You can’t apply for a business credit card with a DUNS number. … D&B keeps track of businesses around the world by giving each a nine-digit DUNS number. This number is mainly used when businesses seek credit from other businesses. It allows the creditor to easily look up the potential borrower’s D&B credit file.

How many DUNS numbers can a company have?

Yes, more than one D-U-N-S Number can be issued at the same physical location if they are (1) separate legal entities (ie; LLC, Inc., Corp) or (2) companies that have the same legal business name but different DBA’s and/or a different line of business that is specific to the nature of operations.

Are DUNS numbers only for US companies?

A data universal numbering system (DUNS) number is a unique, nine-digit numerical identifier that is assigned to a single business entity. DUNS numbers are free for U.S. companies.

Can I use my EIN number instead of my social security number?

You can use an EIN instead of an SSN on W-9. … It is not possible to use an EIN for these purposes. Because lenders and credit rating agencies know the difference between an SSN and EIN, it reduces the potential of damaging your credit rating even if fraudsters can access your personal information.

Can you use EIN for credit?

If you have an employer identification number (EIN) — a nine-digit tax ID number assigned to your business by the IRS — you can use it to apply for a small-business credit card. … Many small-business cards require good to excellent personal credit (typically FICO scores of at least 690) for approval.

Should I use EIN or SSN?

The IRS uses the EIN to identify the taxpayer. EINs must be used by business entities–corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. However, most sole proprietors don’t need to obtain an EIN and can use their Social Security numbers instead.

Can I use my EIN to get an apartment?

You can use an EIN to rent an apartment as long as you will be conducting business in the dwelling.

Can you use EIN instead of Social Security number?

You can use an EIN instead of an SSN on W-9. … It is not possible to use an EIN for these purposes. Because lenders and credit rating agencies know the difference between an SSN and EIN, it reduces the potential of damaging your credit rating even if fraudsters can access your personal information.

Can I use my EIN number to buy a car?

Yes, it is possible to buy a car with an EIN number, you just need to be sure to clarify with the sales team that this is your intention. When buying the car, make it clear that it’s a business purchase of the vehicle, not a personal one as this impacts which credit application you’ll have to fill out.

Do I need a LLC to get a DUNS number?

Corporate Structure. Any company worldwide can obtain a Dun and Bradstreet D-U-N-S number. There are no special requirements about corporate structure. The company can be anything from a sole proprietorship to an S corporation to an LLC to a multinational business and anything in between.

How do I get a DUNS number for my small business?

Step 1: Obtain a DUNS Number

Business entities may request the DUNS number by calling a toll-free telephone number: 1-(866) 705-5711. Tell the operator that you are applying to a Federal financial assistance program and need to register for a DUNS number.

What legal documents do I need for a DUNS number?

Enter the Company Information (1 of 2) * Required Fields: Business Name, Year Business Started, Number of Employees, Business Description, Business Phone, Business Email, Business Structure, and Business Address. D&B will also ask you to upload 2 legal documents with the business’s name and address clearly indicated.