DUNS#: Additional Info and Tips
Merchants often ask why we need so much additional information for business entity accounts when trying to set up a Business Entity Apple Developer account. Most merchants also do not know what a DUNS# is let alone why Apple requires it.
For additional information, you can educate yourself and your merchants by following the links below. Dun & Bradstreet is the name of the company that manages DUNS#’s and business entity listings/statuses.
What is a DUNS#? Click here to read Dun & Bradstreet’s article
Why does Apple require this information? Click here to read Apple’s article
IF A MERCHANT DOES NOT KNOW THEIR DUNS#:
You can provide this link to your merchant to search for their DUNS number for their business. However, just because the business is listed, does not mean that the listing is active or will be accepted by Apple.
https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html
IF THE MERCHANT FINDS THEIR LISTING BUT APPLE REJECTS IT:
Please provide this link to the merchant for them to contact D&B to resolve.
https://www.dnb.com/contact-us.html
IF THEY DON’T HAVE A DUNS# BUT DO NOT WANT A SOLE PROPRIETOR ACCOUNT:
If they don’t have a DUNS number and are insisting that they need a business entity account, they are able to obtain one through Dun & Bradstreet though there may be a fee. This is not a process we are able to assist with but here is the link to get them started: https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html. They will want to select their reason for their request as “I have a U.S. based business” (not I’m an Apple Developer).
NOTE: If they are a multi-location account, we only need this information for one of the locations.
For additional questions or clarification, please see Carleen Brieck or Mandi Boas.