What is a UEI number, exactly?
The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric ID issued by the federal government at SAM.gov. It replaced the older DUNS number in April 2022 and is now the single ID required for any organization applying for federal funding, grants, or contracts.
- 12 characters, letters and numbers
- Issued directly by SAM.gov — not Dun & Bradstreet
- Free to obtain — no third-party fees required
- Tied to your legal business name and address
Who needs a UEI?
Any entity that wants to apply for federal grants, federal contracts, or sub-awards needs a UEI before they can submit an application.
- Nonprofits applying for federal grants
- Small businesses pursuing federal contracts
- Researchers and universities
- Tribal governments and state agencies
- Sole proprietors registering on SAM.gov
Want optional setup services?
Done-for-you technical setup is available as a separate service.
How to get a UEI number — step by step
The entire process happens inside SAM.gov. Here's the order:
1. Create a Login.gov account
SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. Set this up first.
2. Start a SAM.gov entity registration
Choose 'Get Unique Entity ID Only' if you only need the UEI (no contracts yet).
3. Enter your legal business info
Use the exact legal name and physical address that match your IRS records. Inconsistencies trigger validation errors.
4. Complete entity validation
SAM.gov verifies your name + address against authoritative sources. Most validations are instant; some take 1–3 business days.
5. Receive your 12-character UEI
Save it. You'll use it on every federal grant or contract application going forward.
UEI vs DUNS vs EIN — what's the difference?
These three IDs are commonly confused. Here's the clean breakdown:
- UEI — issued by SAM.gov, required for federal grants and contracts
- DUNS — retired in April 2022, replaced by the UEI
- EIN — issued by the IRS, used for taxes and business banking
Want optional setup services?
Done-for-you technical setup is available as a separate service.
Common UEI mistakes to avoid
These small errors create big delays:
- Using a DBA instead of your legal entity name
- Mixing P.O. boxes with physical addresses (SAM.gov requires a physical address)
- Letting your SAM.gov registration expire — re-validate yearly
- Paying a third party for what is a free government service