Why Every Small Business Should Consider Obtaining a D-U-N-S® Number
For many small business owners, early attention is focused on revenue, operations, and legal formation. One critical area that is often overlooked is business credit identity. A foundational component of that identity is the D-U-N-S® Number. At Apricity Law, we routinely encounter businesses that are properly formed but underprepared for financing, contracting, or growth simply because they lack a formal commercial credit profile. Obtaining a D-U-N-S® number is a low-cost, high-impact step in addressing that gap.
This article explains what a D-U-N-S® number is, why it matters, and how it supports long-term business success.
What Is a D-U-N-S® Number?
A D-U-N-S® Number (Data Universal Numbering System) is a unique nine-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). It is used internationally to identify and evaluate business entities for credit, contracting, and risk assessment purposes. A D-U-N-S® number allows third parties, such as lenders, vendors, government agencies, and enterprise clients to:
Verify that your business exists
Review your business credit profile
Assess payment behavior and financial risk
It is important to note that a D-U-N-S® number is separate from your EIN, Secretary of State registration, or business licenses. Each serves a distinct legal or financial function.
Establishing Business Credit Independence
One of the primary benefits of a D-U-N-S® number is the ability to create a credit profile that is separate from your personal credit. Without one, many businesses rely, often unintentionally, on the owner’s personal credit when applying for loans, opening vendor accounts, or securing favorable payment terms. This increases personal exposure and undermines the liability separation that LLCs and corporations are designed to provide. A D-U-N-S® number enables your business to begin building its own commercial credit history.
Access to Financing and Vendor Credit
Many lenders and suppliers rely on Dun & Bradstreet data when evaluating:
Business credit cards
Lines of credit
Equipment financing
Net-30 or Net-60 vendor terms
Without a D-U-N-S® number, a business may appear incomplete or higher risk, even if it has strong revenues and banking relationships. With one, your business is better positioned to qualify for financing and negotiate more favorable credit terms.
Government Contracting and Enterprise Requirements
A D-U-N-S® number is often required to:
Apply for federal or state contracts
Register in procurement portals
Participate in certain grants or incentive programs
Work with large corporate vendors
Even outside government work, many enterprise-level companies now require a D-U-N-S® number during vendor onboarding as part of compliance and risk screening.
Professional Credibility and Due Diligence
As businesses grow, counterparties expect a certain level of operational infrastructure. A D-U-N-S® number signals that your company is established, verifiable, and prepared for formal relationships. It can reduce delays during due diligence, improve credibility with institutional partners, and streamline vendor onboarding processes, particularly where compliance teams are involved.
Monitoring and Improving Business Credit
Once issued, a D-U-N-S® number allows Dun & Bradstreet to generate business credit indicators, including payment performance metrics. Having visibility into your business credit profile allows you to:
Identify and dispute inaccuracies
Improve payment practices
Strategically build commercial credit history
For growing businesses, these metrics increasingly influence how lenders, landlords, and partners assess risk.
Growth, Investment, and Exit Readiness
Whether a business plans to add investors, expand operations, or pursue an eventual sale, a clean and documented credit profile becomes part of the transaction landscape. A D-U-N-S® number supports smoother due diligence, reduces friction with institutional stakeholders, and helps position the business as a scalable asset rather than an owner-dependent operation.
Common Misconceptions
“My business is too small.”
Sole-member LLCs and early-stage corporations can benefit from establishing credit identity early.
“It costs money.”
Applying for a basic D-U-N-S® number directly through Dun & Bradstreet is free.
“It replaces my EIN.”
It does not. The two identifiers serve different roles.
When to Obtain a D-U-N-S® Number
In practice, we recommend obtaining a D-U-N-S® number when a business is formed—or at least before applying for financing, bidding on contracts, or negotiating vendor credit. Early adoption allows business credit to develop alongside operations rather than becoming an obstacle later.
How Apricity Law Can Help
While obtaining a D-U-N-S® number is relatively straightforward, integrating it properly into a business’s legal, contractual, and financial framework requires more thoughtful planning. Apricity Law, advises small and mid-size businesses on entity formation, compliance, credit-readiness, and growth-oriented structuring. Our focus is on building businesses that are legally sound, operationally credible, and prepared for long-term success.
If you are forming a new business or preparing for growth, we welcome the opportunity to discuss how to strengthen your foundation.