Federal Contractor Readiness Guide
How to Get a UEI
A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is assigned when your organization completes SAM.gov entity registration—there is no separate UEI-only application outside that process.
What it is
The UEI is the official identifier used for federal awards and entity records, replacing DUNS for most federal purposes.
Who needs it
Organizations that must register in SAM.gov to do business with the federal government or receive federal awards.
Prerequisites
- An authorized representative who can attest to entity information
- Core entity data (legal name, address, business structure)
- Login.gov account access for SAM.gov
Step-by-step process
- 1. Create or sign in with Login.gov
SAM.gov uses Login.gov for identity verification. Use an account tied to an authorized representative.
- 2. Start entity registration in SAM.gov
Begin a new entity registration or update an existing record in SAM.gov following the published registration workflow.
- 3. Enter and validate entity information
Provide the entity data SAM.gov requests and resolve validation issues if prompted.
- 4. Submit registration and record your UEI
After successful registration, SAM.gov assigns a UEI to the entity. Record the UEI for solicitations and awards.
Information and documents you need
- Legal business name and physical address
- Entity structure and ownership disclosures as required
- Taxpayer identification information as requested in SAM.gov
- Supporting documentation if SAM.gov validation requires it (varies by entity)
Cost
SAM.gov publishes current registration fee information on its entity registration pages; verify fees there before submitting payment.
Typical processing time
Processing time varies based on validation requirements and entity complexity; SAM.gov publishes current guidance.
Common mistakes
- Attempting to bid before SAM registration is active
- Using outdated DUNS assumptions instead of the assigned UEI
- Letting registration lapse before award or invoice
What happens after approval / completion
After registration, maintain an active SAM record, monitor expiration dates, and use your UEI on solicitations and federal payment systems.
Official sources
- SAM.gov — Entity Registration (primary)