How do I get a UEI number?

Your UEI is automatically assigned when you register your entity in SAM.gov at sam.gov. You do not apply for it separately — it is generated during the registration process. Registration is free.

Did the UEI replace the DUNS number?

Yes. The federal government stopped using DUNS numbers (issued by Dun & Bradstreet) for federal contracting on April 4, 2022. The UEI, assigned directly through SAM.gov, is now the only identifier used for federal procurement and grants.

What Is a UEI Number and How Do I Get One?

Q: What is a UEI number?

A UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) is a 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by SAM.gov that uniquely identifies your business to the federal government. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 and is required for all federal contracting and grant activity.

Quick Answer

A UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) is a free, 12-character code assigned by SAM.gov that identifies your business to the federal government. It replaced the old DUNS number in April 2022. You get your UEI automatically when you register your entity at SAM.gov — there is no separate application.

What Is a UEI Number?

The Unique Entity Identifier — UEI for short — is your business's official identification number in the federal procurement system. Every vendor, contractor, grant applicant, and subcontractor that does business with the federal government has one.

Think of it like a Social Security number for your business, but specifically for federal government transactions. Contracting officers use it to look you up, verify your registration, and process payments.

The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric string (letters and numbers) that looks something like JM5AQKH7XYZ1. It is unique to your entity and does not change as long as your registration remains in SAM.gov.

UEI vs. DUNS — What Changed and Why

Before April 4, 2022, the federal government used a DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) issued by the private company Dun & Bradstreet. Vendors had to request a DUNS number from D&B, and the process was separate from SAM.gov registration.

The federal government moved away from DUNS because relying on a private third-party system created inefficiencies and confusion. The new UEI system is entirely government-controlled, faster, and integrated directly into the SAM.gov registration process.

Feature	Old DUNS Number	New UEI
Who issues it	Dun & Bradstreet (private company)	GSA / SAM.gov (federal government)
Format	9-digit number	12-character alphanumeric
How to get it	Separate request to D&B	Automatically assigned in SAM.gov
Cost	Free (but D&B sold paid upgrades)	Free
Still accepted?	No — retired April 4, 2022	Yes — current standard

If you registered before April 2022: Your DUNS number was automatically converted to a UEI when the transition happened. Log into sam.gov to find your UEI in your entity registration record.

How to Get Your UEI Number

Getting a UEI is simple: you register your entity in SAM.gov, and the system assigns your UEI as part of the process. Here is what to do:

Go to sam.gov and sign in (or create a Login.gov account first).
Click on your name in the upper right and choose "Register New Entity."
Work through the registration steps — legal name, EIN, NAICS codes, etc.
Your UEI will be displayed and assigned during the process, before you even finish the full registration.
Write it down. You will use your UEI on every federal proposal, quote, and grant application going forward.

Just need a UEI without full registration? SAM.gov now allows entities to get a UEI for limited purposes (such as applying for federal grants through Grants.gov) without completing the full entity registration. During the SAM.gov registration flow, you can stop after your UEI is assigned if you only need it for a grant application and are not pursuing contracts.

Where You Will Need Your UEI

Once you have a UEI, you will use it in many places across the federal procurement ecosystem:

SAM.gov — your primary registration and vendor profile
Grants.gov — federal grant applications require your UEI
USASpending.gov — your UEI links your business to all publicly reported federal awards
Agency-specific portals — many federal agencies (DoD, DHS, VA, etc.) use your UEI to pull your SAM.gov data automatically
Subcontract agreements — prime contractors often require subcontractors to have active SAM.gov registrations with a valid UEI
Invoices and payment forms — some agencies require your UEI on invoices

How to Look Up Your Existing UEI

If you already have a SAM.gov registration and need to find your UEI, follow these steps:

Sign in at sam.gov.
Click your name and go to "Workspace."
Under "Entity Registrations," find your entity and click to view it.
Your UEI appears at the top of your entity record.

You can also search for any registered entity's UEI publicly — go to SAM.gov and use the entity search. This is how contracting officers verify your registration status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my UEI expire?

Your UEI itself does not expire, but your SAM.gov registration does — it must be renewed annually. If your registration lapses, your UEI still exists but your entity will show as inactive. Contracting officers will not award contracts to inactive entities.

Can I have more than one UEI?

Each legal entity gets one UEI. However, if you have multiple business locations or divisions that are registered as separate legal entities (with separate EINs), each gets its own UEI. Holding companies with subsidiaries typically have multiple UEIs.

Is my UEI public information?

Yes. UEIs and SAM.gov registration data are public record (except banking information and certain sensitive fields). Anyone can search SAM.gov to find your UEI, registration status, NAICS codes, and points of contact.

I see my old DUNS number referenced in a contract — is that a problem?

No. Contracts awarded before April 2022 referenced DUNS numbers. That is fine. For any new modifications, task orders, or new contracts, your UEI is what matters. If you see an agency still requesting a DUNS number on new paperwork, point them to the GSA's transition guidance.

Next step: Once you have your UEI and active SAM.gov registration, you are eligible to pursue federal contracts. The next challenge is finding the right opportunities — contracts that match your capabilities, size, and certifications.

Not sure where to start?

Georgia is a free AI assistant trained on federal procurement. Ask her about your UEI, SAM.gov registration, which contracts fit your business, or anything else about selling to the government — plain-English answers, no jargon.

Ask Georgia — it's free →