By PDS Team
You can get a DUNS number in India for free by applying on the official Dun & Bradstreet India website. The standard free route can take up to 30 business days. Apple Developer requests are also free and are usually assigned within 5 business days. Paid “fast-track” options exist, but you never have to pay anyone to receive the number itself.
This guide explains what a DUNS number is, who needs one, the documents to keep ready, the exact steps, and the mistakes that cause delays. We see these delays often when we set up app store accounts for clients.
What is a DUNS number?
A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier that Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) assigns to a business entity, and it is widely used to verify that a business is real.
The full name is D-U-N-S® (Data Universal Numbering System). The number is linked to a D&B business profile that holds your legal name, address and other details. Apple, Google, many large companies and several overseas buyers use this profile to check who they are dealing with.
Who needs a DUNS number in India?
Any business that wants to publish apps as a company, or that works with partners who verify suppliers through D&B, will usually need one.
- App publishers: organisations enrolling in the Apple Developer Program or creating a Google Play Console organisation account.
- Exporters and importers: overseas buyers and some regulators, such as the US FDA, ask for it.
- Vendors to large companies: many enterprises ask for a DUNS number during supplier onboarding.
- Businesses bidding for some tenders or building a business credit profile.
D&B India notes that the number is not legally mandatory for MSMEs and startups, and that turnover does not affect eligibility. If you only publish apps as an individual, Apple and Google do not ask for one.
Is a DUNS number free in India?
Yes. Getting a DUNS number is free. You pay only if you choose a paid fast-track service.
| Route | Cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard request on D&B India | Free | Up to 30 business days |
| Apple Developer request (via Apple’s lookup tool) | Free | Within 5 business days |
| D&B fast-track service | Paid (price set by D&B) | Faster, depending on the package |
Both Google and D&B India warn about third parties that charge high fees for this free registration. D&B India states it is the sole entity authorised to manage DUNS registration in India and does not partner with third parties for it. Be careful with any website that “guarantees” a number for a fee.
What documents do you need for a DUNS number?
Keep your business registration and identity documents ready, because D&B verifies them before issuing the number.
- PAN card of the business
- GST certificate (GSTIN is optional on the form, but helps verification)
- Certificate of incorporation or other registration proof
- Proof of the registered address
- Details of the authorised signatory
D&B India says the applicant must be a current registered executive officer of the company. Use the legal name exactly as it appears on your incorporation or registration certificate, not a brand name or a shortened version.
How do you apply for a DUNS number in India?
First check that your business does not already have a number, then submit the free form on the D&B India website and respond quickly when D&B contacts you.
- Check for an existing number. Many businesses already have one without knowing it. If you are applying for Apple, use Apple’s D-U-N-S lookup tool. It searches D&B records by legal name and address.
- Open the official form. Go to the “Get a D-U-N-S Number” page on dnb.co.in.
- Enter your business details. These include the legal name, headquarters and mailing address, phone number, contact person and title, number of employees, turnover band and whether the business is home-based.
- Choose the reason. The form offers Apple Developer, Google Developer, US FDA or another requirement. Apple requests need the tracking number from Apple’s lookup tool.
- Submit and answer the verification call. D&B may call or email to confirm details and ask for documents. Applicants often report that a missed call is the main reason for delays, so keep your phone on.
- Receive the number by email. Once verified, D&B emails the nine-digit number.
Planning an app launch? Our iOS app development and Android app development teams can guide your developer account set-up alongside the build.
How long does it take to get a DUNS number?
A free standard request can take up to 30 business days, while Apple Developer requests are usually assigned within 5 business days.
After you receive the number, other platforms need time to see it. Apple says to allow up to 2 business days for D&B data to reach Apple before you enrol. Google says a new DUNS application can take up to 30 days, so start well before your planned launch date.
What mistakes delay a DUNS number?
Most delays come from details that don’t match your official documents or from missed verification calls.
- Using a trade or brand name instead of the registered legal name.
- An address that differs from the one on your GST or incorporation certificate.
- Applying twice and creating duplicate records.
- Missing D&B’s verification call or email.
- Paying an unofficial agent who submits incorrect details for you.
Does a DUNS number expire?
No. A DUNS number does not need renewal, but D&B India asks businesses to update their information every year.
Keeping your D&B profile current matters for app stores. Google Play checks that your organisation name and address match your D&B profile, and a mismatch can put your developer account at risk.
Read our step-by-step guides for getting a DUNS number for an Apple Developer account and using a DUNS number for a Google Play Console organisation account.
DUNS Number FAQs
Can I get a DUNS number without a company registration?
D&B verifies your business using registration documents such as an incorporation certificate, GST certificate and PAN, so an unregistered business will struggle to get verified. Apple and Google also need a registered legal entity for organisation accounts. If you are a freelancer or sole proprietor publishing apps, you can usually enrol as an individual instead, which needs no DUNS number.
Can a sole proprietorship get a DUNS number?
A sole proprietorship can be listed by D&B, but Apple does not accept sole proprietorships as organisations. Apple says a business listed with that legal status should enrol as an individual. Check what each platform accepts before you apply, so you don’t wait for a number you cannot use.
How do I check if my company already has a DUNS number?
Use Apple’s D-U-N-S lookup tool on the Apple Developer website, which searches D&B records by legal name and address. You can also contact D&B India with your company name, PAN or GST details. Large organisations may have more than one number, one per location, so choose the one with the right legal name and address.
Is the DUNS number the same as GST or CIN?
No. GSTIN and CIN are issued by Indian government authorities, while the DUNS number is issued by Dun & Bradstreet, a private company. They work together: D&B uses your GST, PAN and incorporation documents to verify your business before assigning the DUNS number.
Why should I avoid agents who charge for a DUNS number?
The number is free from D&B, and D&B India says it is the only entity authorised to manage DUNS registration in India. An agent cannot get it faster than D&B’s own fast-track service. Agents may also enter incorrect details, which causes mismatches later with Apple or Google.
Can I change details on my DUNS profile later?
Yes. Contact D&B to update your legal name, address or other details. The DUNS number itself usually stays the same. Allow time for the change to reach Apple or Google: Apple says updates take up to two business days to reach its systems.
Need help getting your app published?
We help businesses in Noida, Delhi NCR and across India plan, build and publish iOS and Android apps, including developer account set-up. See our iOS app development services or contact us.
