The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code that the federal government uses to identify your business. It replaced the old DUNS number system in April 2022.
If you want to do business with the federal government — bid on contracts, receive grants, or register in SAM.gov — you need a UEI. The good news: you get one automatically when you register on SAM.gov, and it's free.
UEI vs. DUNS — What Changed?
Before April 2022, businesses used a DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) issued by Dun & Bradstreet. The federal government decided to bring the identifier system in-house and created the UEI to replace it. If you already had a DUNS number, your UEI was automatically created when SAM.gov migrated — you can find it in your SAM.gov account.
| DUNS (old) | UEI (new) | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Dun & Bradstreet | SAM.gov (federal gov) |
| Format | 9 digits | 12 alphanumeric characters |
| Cost | Free (basic) | Free |
| Status | Retired April 2022 | Current standard |
How to Get a UEI Number
You get your UEI as part of the SAM.gov registration process. There's no separate application:
- Go to sam.gov and sign in (or create a Login.gov account)
- Click "Register New Entity"
- Enter your business name, EIN, and address
- SAM.gov validates against IRS records and immediately assigns you a UEI
- Complete the full registration to make your entity active
The UEI assignment itself is instant. The full registration activation takes up to 10 business days.
Where You'll Use Your UEI
- Federal contract proposals — required on all SF-1449 and other standard forms
- Grant applications — Grants.gov requires a UEI for all applicants
- System registrations — any federal procurement system will ask for it
- Subcontracting — prime contractors verify your UEI before awarding subcontracts
Finding Your Existing UEI
Log into sam.gov with your Login.gov credentials. Go to "My SAM" → "Registrations." Your UEI appears at the top of your entity record. You can also search for any business's UEI publicly at sam.gov by searching their name.