How to get an EIN and a D-U-N-S number for free (and the paid sites to avoid)
· 4 min read
After my LLC was approved, I needed two numbers: an EIN for taxes and the bank, and a D-U-N-S number for the Apple and Google developer accounts.
Both are free. Both are also sold by websites that charge you for something you can do yourself in a few minutes. I almost fell for one. Here is how to get both for $0.
My timeline
- July 3, 2026: I arrived in the US
- October 14: LLC approved, EIN received the same day (about 3 months after arriving)
- October 15: I requested a D-U-N-S number through Apple
- October 16: D-U-N-S number arrived by email
What is an EIN?
EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. The IRS gives it to businesses. Think of it as a Social Security number for your company. You need it to open a business bank account, to receive payments from platforms like Google and Apple, and to file taxes.
You need one even if you have no employees.
The trap: sites that look like the IRS
When I searched "apply for EIN", some of the first results were not the IRS. They were private companies with official-looking names and designs. Their forms look like a government form. At the end, they charge you somewhere between $70 and $300, and then they apply on the IRS website for you. The exact same application you can do yourself for free.
How to tell the difference:
- The real IRS website ends in .gov. Always irs.gov.
- The IRS never charges for an EIN. If a page asks for a card, it is not the IRS.
- Paid sites often put "fast", "instant" or "help" in their names.
I closed the paid site and went to irs.gov directly.
How I got my EIN in minutes
- Go to irs.gov and search for "Apply for an EIN online".
- Choose the entity type: Limited Liability Company, one member.
- Enter the company details exactly as they appear on your Certificate of Organization.
- Enter the responsible party: that is you, with your Social Security number or ITIN.
- Submit.
The EIN appeared on the screen right away, on the same day my LLC was approved. Download and save the confirmation letter (CP 575) immediately. The IRS does not let you go back to that page later, and the bank will ask for it.
One detail: the online application is only open during certain hours on weekdays. If it does not work at night, try again in the morning.
If you do not have an SSN or ITIN, you cannot use the online form. In that case, there is a paper form (SS-4) you can fax or mail. It is still free, just slower.
What is a D-U-N-S number?
D-U-N-S is a nine-digit number from a company called Dun & Bradstreet. It is a business ID used around the world. Most small businesses never think about it, until they try to publish an app.
- Apple requires a D-U-N-S number to enroll in the Developer Program as an organization.
- Google Play also asks organization accounts for one.
The second trap: paying for D-U-N-S
Dun & Bradstreet's own website offers paid options and "expedited" service. You do not need them.
Apple has a free D-U-N-S lookup tool on its developer website. You enter your company information there. If your company is not in the database yet, Apple sends the request to Dun & Bradstreet for you, for free.
How I got mine in one day
- I went to Apple's developer site and opened the D-U-N-S lookup page.
- I signed in with an Apple account.
- I entered the legal company name, the address and my contact details, exactly as on the state certificate.
- The tool did not find my company, so it offered to submit a request. I submitted it.
Apple says it can take up to five business days. Mine arrived by email the next morning. The same number works for Google Play too, so you only do this once.
Tips that would have saved me time
- Use the exact same name and address everywhere. If your certificate says "Dr" and you type "Drive", some systems will not match them. Copy from the certificate.
- Save every confirmation as a PDF, in one folder. The EIN letter, the D-U-N-S email, the certificate. You will upload them again and again.
- Do it in this order: LLC approval, then EIN, then D-U-N-S. Each one uses the one before it.
Summary
- EIN: free, on irs.gov, a few minutes, saved on the same day.
- D-U-N-S: free, through Apple's lookup tool, one day in my case.
- Anything that asks for a credit card for these two numbers is a middleman.
Next, I used the EIN to open a business bank account. That had its own surprises: Opening a business bank account as an immigrant.
Going through the same thing? If you are stuck on this step and need help, send me a message. I read every one.
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I am not a lawyer or an accountant. This is my own experience, written down as it happened. Rules change and every case is different, so check with the official source or a professional.