What Is a UEI (and How to Get One)

What Is a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)?

A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code assigned to every organization that registers in SAM.gov. Think of it as your organization's federal ID number. If you plan to apply for federal grants, contracts, or any other type of federal financial assistance, you need a UEI before you can do anything else.

What the UEI Replaced: The DUNS Number

Before April 2022, organizations used a DUNS number issued by Dun & Bradstreet to identify themselves in the federal grants ecosystem. The General Services Administration (GSA) transitioned away from DUNS numbers to the UEI system so that the federal government could manage entity identification directly, without relying on a third-party vendor. If your organization previously had a DUNS number and was registered in SAM.gov at the time of the transition, a UEI was automatically assigned to you.

Who Needs a UEI?

Any entity that intends to do business with the federal government needs a UEI. This includes:

• Nonprofit organizations applying for federal grants
• State, local, tribal, and territorial governments
• Educational institutions, including school districts and universities
• Small businesses seeking federal contracts or SBIR/STTR funding
• For-profit organizations applying for cooperative agreements
• Any sub-recipient or sub-awardee named in a federal grant application

Even if your organization is only listed as a partner or sub-recipient on someone else's application, you will likely need your own UEI. Check the specific grant's Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for exact requirements.

How to Get a UEI: Step by Step

Getting a UEI is free. You should never pay a third party to obtain one on your behalf. Here is the process:

1. Go to SAM.gov. Navigate to sam.gov and click "Sign In" in the upper right corner. You will need a Login.gov account. If you don't have one, you can create it during this step.
2. Start a new entity registration. Once signed in, go to "Entity Registrations" and select "Get Started" to begin a new registration. You can request just a UEI without completing a full SAM.gov registration, though most grant applicants will need the full registration.
3. Enter your entity information. Provide your organization's legal name, physical address, and other identifying details. Make sure these match what appears on your IRS documentation or state registration exactly.
4. Complete entity validation. SAM.gov will validate your entity against public records. This step confirms that your organization is real and that the information you provided is accurate.
5. Receive your UEI. After validation, your 12-character UEI is assigned. You can view it in your SAM.gov account under your entity record.

How Long Does It Take?

Requesting a UEI alone (without full SAM.gov registration) can take as little as one to two business days once entity validation is complete. However, if you are completing a full SAM.gov registration at the same time, the entire process typically takes anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on your entity type and whether there are issues with validation. International entities may experience longer processing times.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying for a UEI. Your UEI is always free. Some third-party services charge fees to "obtain" a UEI for you. This is unnecessary. Go directly to SAM.gov.
• Mismatched entity information. If your legal business name or address on SAM.gov does not match your IRS records, validation will fail or be delayed. Double-check your IRS Determination Letter or state incorporation documents before starting.
• Using an old DUNS number. Some older grant application guides still reference DUNS numbers. Use your UEI wherever an identifier is requested. If a form still has a "DUNS" field, contact the granting agency for guidance.
• Not keeping your registration active. Your SAM.gov registration (and by extension, the usefulness of your UEI) must be renewed annually. An expired registration can make you ineligible for awards. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your expiration date.
• Creating duplicate registrations. If your organization already has a UEI, do not create a new registration. Search for your entity in SAM.gov first. Duplicate records create compliance issues down the road.

Next Steps After Getting Your UEI

Once you have your UEI, you are ready to complete your SAM.gov registration (if you have not already) and begin searching for grant opportunities. Your UEI will be required on virtually every federal grant application you submit, so keep it accessible to anyone in your organization who works on proposals. Understanding the difference between grants and federal assistance programs can also help you navigate where to search and what to apply for.