DUNS vs EIN: What Is the Difference?
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
Most businesses need the EIN first. We prepare and file your SS-4 and email you the number.
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| EIN | D-U-N-S | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | The IRS | Dun & Bradstreet, a private company |
| What it identifies | A taxpayer | A business credit file |
| Format | Nine digits, 12-3456789 | Nine digits |
| Used for | Tax returns, payroll, bank accounts, 1099s and W-9s | Business credit, and suppliers or programs that ask for it |
| Required by law? | For many businesses, yes | No general requirement |
| Cost from the source | Free from the IRS. Services like ours charge to prepare and file it. | Free from Dun & Bradstreet, which also sells faster processing |
Which one do you need?
If you are asking because you just formed a company, you need the EIN. Banks, payroll companies and clients sending a 1099 will ask for it, and this guide covers who is required to have one. Get a D-U-N-S when someone asks for it by name. Dun & Bradstreet says normal processing can take up to 30 business days, so request it early if you have a deadline.
Federal contracts no longer run on DUNS
Older guides say you need a DUNS to register in SAM.gov, the government’s contractor system. That changed on April 4, 2022, when the General Services Administration stopped using DUNS and moved to the Unique Entity ID, which SAM.gov generates itself. You still need your EIN there. A few federal programs do still name DUNS. The FDA, for example, accepts it as a facility identifier for food facility registration, and its device user fee cover sheets require EINs from U.S. firms and DUNS numbers from foreign firms.
Quick answers
Do I need an EIN to get a D-U-N-S?
Ask Dun & Bradstreet what it needs for your entity type. Either way, get the EIN first if you will need one, so that both records carry the same legal name.
Is a D-U-N-S the same as a business credit score?
No. It is the identifier for the file. Scores and reports built on that file are separate products, and D&B says you never have to buy anything to obtain, use or keep a D-U-N-S.
Can I put my D-U-N-S on a W-9?
No. A W-9 asks for a taxpayer identification number, which for most companies is the EIN. See how an LLC fills out a W-9.
Get Your EIN the Easy Way
Answer a few questions in about 5 minutes. Our specialists prepare your IRS Form SS-4, file it, personally handle any rejection or name conflict along the way, and get your EIN to you, typically within 2 to 4 business days, or about 11 when the IRS requires the application by fax. One flat $197 service fee. No upsells, no subscriptions.
- ✓ Prepared and filed by specialists
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Related guides
- FEIN vs EIN: Is There a Difference? FEIN and EIN are the same nine-digit federal number under two names. Why state forms say FEIN or FEI, and which number to put on them.
- What Is an EIN Used For? (And Who Needs One) The 7 things an EIN unlocks, who the IRS actually requires to have one, and when an SSN is enough.
- How to Get an EIN Number: 4 Ways, Step by Step Online, fax, mail, and the international phone line. Real timelines, what you need, and what can go wrong.
- Do You Need an EIN to Open a Business Bank Account? For an LLC, corporation, partnership, estate or trust, the bank will ask for one. For a sole proprietor it depends on the bank. What each account type needs, and what else to bring.
Sources
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.