We should say up front: getting a D-U-N-S number is not difficult, and nobody needs to pay for one. This page exists because the questions people actually have are what it is for, what you need in place first, and why applications sometimes stall.

What a D-U-N-S number is

The Data Universal Numbering System number is a unique nine-digit identifier that Dun & Bradstreet assigns to a business. It is not a licence or a registration in any legal sense — it is a reference number that lets other organisations look your business up and confirm it exists as described. Think of it as a globally recognised business ID rather than a permission to do anything.

What it is used for

• Apple Developer Program — required to enrol as an organisation rather than as an individual.
• Google Play and other platforms — sometimes requested for developer or business verification.
• Corporate customers and tenders — some large buyers use it in supplier onboarding.
• Business credit profile — it is the key your D&B record is filed under.

For most people who ask us, the reason is the first one: publishing apps under a company name instead of a personal one.

You will need a Georgian company

A D-U-N-S number is issued to a business, so you need a registered Georgian company for it to attach to. That is the practical prerequisite: the number identifies the company, and platforms use it to confirm the company exists and matches what you have told them.

If you do not have one yet, that is the step to take first — see registering a company in Georgia. Once the company is registered and its details are on record, requesting the D-U-N-S is straightforward.

How to get one

1. Check whether you already have one. Businesses are sometimes already in the D&B database; Apple provides a look-up tool for this.
2. Request it free from Dun & Bradstreet, giving your legal company name, registered address and contact details.
3. Make the details match your registration exactly — this is where applications stall. The name and address must line up with your official Georgian record, character for character.
4. Wait for issuance — allow up to 5 business days, then roughly 2 more before Apple has the record.

Do you need help with this?

Honestly, for the request itself, most people do not — it is free and the form is short. Where we are useful is everything around it: getting the Georgian company registered in the first place, and making sure its details are set up so the D&B record matches cleanly the first time rather than after several rounds of correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a D-U-N-S number cost anything?

No. Dun & Bradstreet issues it free of charge. If someone is charging you for the number itself, you are paying for a service you can do yourself.

Do I need a company to get one?

Yes — the number is issued to a business, so you need a registered Georgian company for it to be attached to. Register the company first, then request the number.

How long does it take?

Allow up to 5 business days for Dun & Bradstreet to issue the number, plus around 2 business days for Apple to receive the record before you can enrol.

Why was my application delayed?

Most delays come from details that do not match the official registration — a differently spelled company name, an old address, or an unreachable phone number. Aligning the application with your registered data resolves most cases.