Company Registration Number in the U.S.: EIN, Entity Number or DUNS?

Quick answer

The U.S. has no single national "company registration number." A US company usually has up to three different numbers, each with its own job:

State entity number (also called file number, document number or filing ID): issued by the state where the company was formed. This is the closest match to what most countries call a company registration number.

EIN (Employer Identification Number): the company's federal tax ID, issued by the IRS. It goes in "tax number" fields, not "registration number" fields.

D-U-N-S number: a private business identifier from Dun & Bradstreet. You only need it for specific platforms, such as Apple and Google developer accounts.

If a foreign form asks for your "company registration number," enter your state entity number and the state's name, and give your EIN separately as the tax number.

You've formed a US company, and now a form asks for your "company registration number." Maybe it's your bank at home, a supplier in Dubai, Amazon or Apple. You look at your documents and find several numbers, none labeled that way. This guide explains why, what each US number means, and exactly which one to use in each situation.

Why There Is No Single "Company Registration Number" in the U.S.

In many countries, one national registry gives every company a single registration number. Turkey's trade registry and MERSİS number and the commercial registration (CR) numbers used in Gulf countries work this way.

The US works differently:

• Companies are formed by states, not the federal government. Each state runs its own business registry, usually through the Secretary of State, and issues its own numbers.
• Tax identification is federal. The IRS issues the EIN, which is completely separate from state registration.
• Some identifiers are private. The D-U-N-S number comes from a private company, not a government.

So when a form asks for one "registration number," a US company has to choose which of its numbers fits the form's purpose.

EIN: What It Is and Where You Use It

The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS, written as XX-XXXXXXX. Despite the name, you don't need employees to have one.

You use your EIN for:

• Opening a US business bank account
• Payment processors such as Stripe and PayPal
• Federal tax filings, such as Form 5472 and Form 1120
• Tax forms you give or receive, such as W-9 and W-8BEN-E
• Marketplaces and platforms that collect tax information

What the EIN is not: It's not proof that your company exists in a state registry, and it isn't your company's registration number. Translating "EIN" as "company registration number" is the most common mistake founders make on foreign forms.

If you don't have an EIN yet, our EIN application service handles the process for founders without an SSN.

State Entity Number: What It Is and Where to Find Yours

When a state approves your company's formation, it assigns an entity number. Each state uses its own name and format:

Where to find it:

• On your formation document (Articles of Organization or Certificate of Incorporation), usually stamped or printed by the state
• In the state's online business entity search, by searching your company name (for example, the Florida or Texas business search)
• On your annual report filings and state correspondence

This is your company's "registration number" in the sense most countries mean: the number in the official registry that proves your company exists.

DUNS Number: When It Is Actually Required

The D-U-N-S number is a 9-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet, a private business data company. It's not a government number and it's not legally required to form or run a US company.

When you actually need one:

• Apple Developer Program: Companies enrolling as an organization must provide a D-U-N-S number. It's free, and Apple notes it can take up to 5 business days to receive from D&B.
• Google Play Console: Organization developer accounts must provide a D-U-N-S number during verification.
• Some large customers and suppliers use it to check business credit or set up vendors.

Good to know:

• It's free to get through Dun & Bradstreet's standard process. Google specifically warns about third parties charging fees for it.
• US federal contracting no longer uses DUNS as its main identifier. SAM.gov now issues its own Unique Entity ID (UEI).

Learn more in our glossary entry on what a DUNS number is.

Comparison Table: Which Number, Which Situation

What Banks Ask For

US banks and financial platforms typically ask for:

• EIN, as the business tax ID
• Formation document from the state, which shows the state entity number
• Sometimes the state entity number itself, entered separately

Banks in your home country (for example, if you open a foreign-currency account or receive funds from your US company) may ask for a "company registration number." Give them the state entity number and the state's name, plus your formation document.

What Amazon, Apple and Google Ask For

• Amazon: During seller verification, Amazon asks for your business details and tax information. For a US company, that's the EIN in tax fields, plus company documents such as your formation document. Requirements vary by marketplace and are updated often, so follow the exact prompts in Seller Central.
• Apple Developer Program: A D-U-N-S number is required for organization enrollment. The legal entity name must match D&B's records.
• Google Play Console: Organization accounts provide a D-U-N-S number during verification. Details must match your official records.

Tip: Use exactly the same legal name and address everywhere: state record, IRS, D&B, bank and platforms. Most verification delays come from small mismatches, like "Inc" vs. "Inc." or a missing suite number.

What Foreign Forms Mean by "Company Registration Number"

This is the scenario that confuses most non-US founders. Say a supplier in Istanbul, a bank in Riyadh or a government portal in Dubai asks for your company's "registration number" (or "ticaret sicil numarası," or "CR number").

What to enter:

If the documents must be legalized for use abroad: Countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention usually accept an apostille issued by the state that formed your company. Other countries may require consular legalization instead. Check the requirement with the authority asking for the documents.

What not to do: Don't write your EIN in the "registration number" field just because it's the number you know best. The form will look inconsistent with your registration documents, and that can cause delays.

If You Lost One of These Numbers

• State entity number: Search your company name in the state's online business entity search. It's also printed on your formation document and past annual reports.
• EIN: Don't apply for a new one; your company keeps the same EIN for life. Check your CP 575 notice, bank or past filings, or ask the IRS for Letter 147C. See our guide on how to find a lost EIN.
• D-U-N-S number: Use D&B's free lookup tool (Apple links to one from its enrollment pages). Your company may already have one; if not, request one for free.

If your company's address or responsible party changes, notify the IRS with Form 8822-B so your EIN records stay accurate.

How Clemta Helps

When you form your US company with Clemta, you receive your formation documents, which include your state entity number. Clemta also handles your EIN application with the IRS. Both are kept in your Clemta document dashboard, so you can find the right number whenever a bank, platform or foreign form asks.

Ready to start? Register your US company with Clemta.

FAQ

What is my company registration number for a US LLC?

Your state entity number, also called a file number, document number or filing ID depending on the state. It's on your formation document and in the state's business search.

Is the EIN a company registration number?

No. The EIN is your company's federal tax ID from the IRS. Use it in "tax ID" fields, not in "company registration number" fields.

This article is for general information only and isn't legal or tax advice. Requirements of banks, platforms and foreign authorities vary; follow their specific instructions.