DUNS Number Registration in India: Process and Help
Get a D-U-N-S Number for app store accounts, vendor onboarding and global trade, with details that match your company records.
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A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit business identifier that Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) assigns to a business location and links to its company record. It is a commercial identifier, not a government or tax number, and Indian law does not require it for routine filings such as GST or income tax. It becomes necessary when a global platform or buyer must verify that your company is real, for example Apple and Google Play organisation developer accounts, some international supplier portals and US FDA facility registration. Only D&B issues the number, and the standard request is free. India Comply does not issue or sell DUNS numbers: our team checks your details and documents so your request matches your registration records and clears verification smoothly.
Who provides this service: our team of Company Secretaries and compliance specialists.
Who Needs DUNS Number?
- Companies enrolling as an organisation in the Apple Developer Program or Google Play Console
- App and software agencies publishing apps on behalf of a client company
- Start-ups and MSMEs onboarding to international supplier or procurement portals
- Food, drug and device businesses registering facilities with the US FDA
- Exporters who deal with overseas buyers that check supplier identity
- Businesses building a business credit profile for trade credit or lender checks
- Companies whose existing D&B record shows an old name or address
Key Benefits
- A search for an existing D&B record first, so you update it instead of creating a duplicate
- Legal name, address and entity type matched to your incorporation papers before you apply
- A plain explanation of the free request and the paid expedited option, so you choose knowingly
- A prepared document set and a briefed contact person for the D&B verification call or email
- A check that your name and address will match what Apple, Google Play or your buyer compares
- Honest timing advice: no one outside D&B can speed up the process or promise a date
How It Works
Search for an existing record
D&B may already hold a record for your company, created from public sources. We use the official D&B lookup to search by company name, city and address. If a record exists, updating it is cleaner than applying again and creating a duplicate that can confuse verification.
Choose the route
We explain the two routes. The standard request on the official D&B India page is free but can take time. D&B also sells expedited handling, and its price and speed are set by D&B. You decide whether the extra speed is worth the fee. We never charge for the number itself.
Prepare matching details
We collect the exact legal name, registered address, entity type, PAN, GST details and an authorised contact from your incorporation documents. Platforms compare these details with D&B records, and Google Play expects the legal name and address on your payments profile to match, so even small spelling differences matter.
Submit on the official D&B page
Your authorised person submits the request on the official Get a D-U-N-S Number page of D&B India and chooses the main reason for applying. We review the form with you before you submit. D&B states that it does not authorise any third party to provide these numbers, so be wary of anyone offering to sell one.
Handle D&B verification
D&B may ask for documents or contact you by call or email to confirm your details. We tell you in advance what to expect and help you reply quickly, because D&B notes that incomplete details and slow replies delay approval. Check your inbox and spam folder, as the number is sent by email.
Check the record and use the number
Once the number arrives we review the record for spelling, address and contact data, and guide you on correcting it before you use it in a developer account, supplier portal, FDA registration or credit application. We also explain how to keep the record current after a change of name or address.
Documents Required
- Certificate of incorporation or registration proof of the business
- PAN card of the company or firm
- GST registration certificate, where the business has one
- Proof of registered office address, such as a utility bill or rent agreement
- Partnership deed or proprietorship proof where there is no incorporation certificate
- Official business email and a working phone number
- Website address of the business, if available
- Authorised signatory identity proof and contact details
Timeline and Fees
Indicative timeline: Preparing your details with us usually takes a day or two. D&B says the free request can take up to 30 business days depending on verification, and its paid expedited option is faster at a price and timing set by D&B. No one else can promise a date.
Professional fee: Getting the number from D&B is free on the standard route. Our fee is quoted after we see your case and covers only checking, preparation and guidance, never the number itself. Any D&B charge for expedited handling is separate and set by D&B.
What Can Go Wrong if This Is Missed or Done Incorrectly
- Details that differ from your registration papers are the most common cause of verification delays and platform rejections
- Paying a website or agent that claims it can issue a number: D&B says it authorises no third party to do so
- A duplicate record created when one already exists can confuse verification and is hard to clear later
- Apple does not accept trade names, fictitious businesses or branches as the enrolling organisation
- An outdated name or address after a change can block later vendor, credit or developer-account checks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DUNS number and is it mandatory in India?
A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet to verify that a business exists and who it is. It is not a tax ID and it is not required by Indian law for routine matters such as GST registration or income tax filing. It becomes a practical requirement only when a platform, buyer or foreign regulator asks for it.
Who needs a DUNS number?
Companies enrolling as an organisation in the Apple Developer Program need one, and Google Play asks for one when you create an organisation developer account. Facilities registering with the US FDA must give a unique facility identifier, and FDA accepts a DUNS number for this. Some international supplier and procurement portals and lenders also ask for it. Check the rule for your exact account type.
Who issues a DUNS number, and can anyone else sell me one?
Only Dun & Bradstreet issues it. D&B India says it does not authorise, license or partner with any third party to provide these services, and Google warns that outside services may charge high fees for what is a free request. India Comply is not connected with D&B and cannot issue or guarantee a number. Our fee covers only checking, preparation and guidance, and you submit the request yourself on the official page.
Is a DUNS number free?
The standard request to D&B India is free for Indian companies. D&B also offers paid expedited options, and the price depends on what you choose, so confirm the current terms with D&B before paying anyone. If you hire us, our professional fee is separate, quoted after we see your case, and never presented as the cost of the number.
How long does it take to get a DUNS number?
D&B says the free route can take up to 30 business days, depending on how easily your details can be verified. Apple asks organisations to allow up to 5 business days from D&B plus about 2 days for Apple to receive the data when the request is made through its enrolment flow, and Google Play says up to 30 days. These times change, so check the platform page when you apply.
Can I apply myself, and why use a professional?
Yes, any company can apply directly on the official D&B India page. Many delays come from small mismatches between the request and the incorporation papers, an unreachable contact number or a request that creates a duplicate record. We check these points before you submit and brief you for verification, which suits teams that cannot afford a rejected developer account application.
Which documents does D&B ask for?
For an Indian company the usual items are the PAN card, GST certificate, certificate of incorporation or registration proof, address proof and authorised signatory details. Partnerships and proprietorships use the deed or an equivalent registration proof. D&B may ask for others during verification, so keep scans ready.
Why was my DUNS request delayed or rejected?
The common reasons are a name or address that differs from the incorporation documents, a phone number that cannot be reached, no public trace of the business, several business locations that need extra checks, and slow replies to D&B. Keeping the details identical to official records and answering follow-up emails quickly avoids most delays.
Does a sole proprietor or partnership firm need one?
Any business can request a number, but the platform decides what it accepts. Apple does not need one for individual enrolment, yet for an organisation it must be a recognised legal entity and it does not accept trade names, fictitious businesses or branches. Check your platform rule, and ask our team if you are unsure which legal entity to use.
Official Sources
Rules, forms and fees change. Check the current position on the official portal:
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Last reviewed: . Laws, fees and procedures change; check the official portal before you act.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional legal, tax or compliance advice. Requirements vary by situation. Please consult a qualified CA or CS for advice specific to your needs. Government fees and timelines are subject to change; verify with the relevant authority before proceeding.