If you're registering your Apple and Google developer accounts as a business or organization, both stores require a D-U-N-S number for your legal entity.
You only need one D-U-N-S number. The same number can be used for both Apple and Google.
Getting a D-U-N-S number is free, but the process can take time. If you don't already have one, start this step before creating or paying for your developer accounts so it doesn't delay your Branded Mobile App setup.
D-U-N-S stands for Data Universal Numbering System.
It is a unique nine-digit number issued and managed by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a business information company that maintains records on businesses around the world. Apple and Google use D&B as an independent source to verify that a business is legitimate and that its legal details match public records.
Your D-U-N-S number identifies a specific legal business at a specific location.
Apple and Google use it to confirm that:
Your business is a registered legal entity.
The legal business name you provide is correct.
Your business address matches public business records.
You can learn more about D-U-N-S numbers from Dun & Bradstreet.
Whether you need one depends on the type of developer account you're creating.
Apple Developer Program: A D-U-N-S number is required when enrolling as an Organization. It is not required when enrolling as an individual or sole proprietor. Government entities are exempt.
Google Play Console: A D-U-N-S number is required to create an Organization developer account. Government organizations can request an exemption through Google support.
Individual or Personal Accounts: A D-U-N-S number is not required on either platform.
If you're a sole proprietor or run a single-person business without a separate registered legal entity, Apple's guidance is to enroll as an Individual.
Apple does not accept a DBA (Doing Business As), which is a business name different from your registered legal name, or a trading name, fictitious business name, or branch as an organization. To enroll as an Organization, your business needs to be a registered legal entity, such as an LLC, corporation, or limited partnership.
Before requesting a new number, check whether your business already has one.
Many businesses already have a D-U-N-S number without realizing it. D&B may have created one from public business records, or the number may already exist if you acquired an existing business.
Search for your business using D&B's D-U-N-S Number Lookup.
When searching, use your exact registered legal business name, not your brand name or trading name.
If your business already has a D-U-N-S number, you can use that number for both your Apple and Google developer accounts.
If your business does not already have a D-U-N-S number, you can request one for free.
There are TWO ways to do this.
For Branded Mobile App setup, we recommend starting with Apple's D-U-N-S lookup tool.
Sign in with your Apple Account.
Search for your organization.
If your organization appears, use the existing D-U-N-S number.
If it does not appear, submit your business information through the same form to request a free D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet.
Apple states that it can take up to 5 business days to receive the number, followed by up to 2 additional business days for Apple to receive the updated information from D&B.
Even though you're requesting the number through Apple's form, the D-U-N-S number you receive is a standard D-U-N-S number and can also be used for your Google developer account.
You can also request a D-U-N-S number directly from Dun & Bradstreet here: https://www.dnb.com/duns/get-a-duns.html
The standard application is free, but processing can take up to 30 business days in many cases. Google also recommends allowing up to 30 days for this process.
D&B offers paid expedited options, but Apple states that paying to speed up the D&B process does not shorten Apple's own waiting period. For that reason, we do not recommend paying for expedited processing specifically for your Apple developer setup.
If you apply directly through D&B, make sure you're using one of their supported browsers to avoid issues with the application form.
Before requesting your D-U-N-S number, gather the following business information:
Your legal business name, exactly as registered.
Your headquarters and mailing address.
Your business phone number and work contact details.
The name of the owner, president, or CEO.
Your legal business structure, such as LLC, corporation, or partnership.
The year your business was established.
Your primary industry.
The total number of full-time and part-time employees.
A separate D-U-N-S number can be issued for each physical business location.
Keep your official business registration documents available as well. Dun & Bradstreet may contact you and ask for supporting documents to verify your business information.
One of the most important parts of D-U-N-S verification is making sure your business information matches across all accounts.
Apple and Google compare your D-U-N-S information against different account records:
Apple checks the legal entity name you enter during developer enrollment against your D&B record.
Google requires the legal business name and address in your Google payments profile to match your Dun & Bradstreet information.
Before starting either developer enrollment, check that your D&B record contains your current legal business name and address.
Then use that exact same legal name and address when setting up your Apple and Google developer accounts.
If the information does not match, verification may be delayed. On Google, correcting a mismatch later can also require you to create a new payments profile.
Here are some of the most common issues you may run into and how to handle them.
Apple may show this message when your business exists in D&B's records but is listed under a different legal status, such as a sole proprietorship, or when its legal status has not yet been verified.
Contact Dun & Bradstreet through Apple's dedicated D&B support page and provide your complete business registration documents so they can verify the legal status of your organization.
Apple does not accept DBAs, fictitious business names, trading names, or branches as Organization developer accounts.
Use the registered legal entity name instead.
This does not mean your public app name needs to match your legal business name. You can still use your brand name for your Branded Mobile App.
If your Dun & Bradstreet record contains outdated information, update it before continuing your Apple or Google enrollment.
You can request an update through Apple's dedicated D&B support page or through D-U-N-S Manager.
Apple states that updated D&B information can take up to 2 business days to reach its systems. Wait for the information to update before attempting enrollment again.
If your D&B information changes after your Google Play developer account has already been verified, Google may ask you to verify your developer identity again.
Google will notify the account owner by email if re-verification is required.
Complete this promptly, as developer accounts that remain unverified can risk having their apps removed from Google Play.
This is normal for newly created businesses.
Submit your information through Apple's D-U-N-S lookup form and have your official incorporation or business registration documents ready. Dun & Bradstreet may request these documents before issuing your number.
If you requested your D-U-N-S number through Apple's process and have not received an update after more than two weeks, Apple's guidance is to contact Dun & Bradstreet directly through its dedicated Apple Developer support page.
After receiving your D-U-N-S number, keep your business information current with Dun & Bradstreet.
This is especially important if you:
Change your legal business name.
Move to a new business address.
Change other important legal business information.
Apple and Google may check these details again in the future. An outdated D&B record can cause verification issues or block an app update even after your Branded Mobile App has already launched.
US-based private companies can review and request changes to their business information for free through D-U-N-S Manager.
Once your D-U-N-S number has been issued and your business information is correct, you can continue setting up your developer accounts:
If you run into any issues with the process, contact us at [email protected], and we'll help you with the next step.
