# What a UEI is and how to get one A UEI is the 12-character Unique Entity ID SAM.gov assigns to each entity; you get one free at sam.gov, either alone (for subawards and reporting) or as part of a full registration. It replaced the DUNS number on 4 April 2022. Sign in to sam.gov with login.gov. Choose Get Started and request a UEI only, or register the entity.Checked on 2026-11-12.Official source: [SAM.gov entity registration](https://sam.gov/entity-registration) | Length | 12 characters | | --- | --- | | Cost | Free | | Replaced DUNS | 4 April 2022 | ## How do I get a UEI? - Sign in to sam.gov with login.gov. - Choose Get Started and request a UEI only, or register the entity. - Confirm your legal name and address match your records. ## UEI only or full registration? A UEI-only request is enough to be named as a subrecipient or to report on a grant subaward. To bid on and receive prime contracts you need a full registration with the All Awards purpose, which adds representations and certifications, banking data and points of contact and must be renewed every 365 days. ## Where does the UEI show up? On your SAM.gov registration, on every award to you in USAspending, on any exclusion record, and in public lookups. Agencies and primes ask for it on proposals, invoices and subcontract reports. ## Related - [UEI lookup](https://samgovapi.io/uei-lookup) - [UEI number](https://samgovapi.io/glossary/uei-number) - [DUNS to UEI](https://samgovapi.io/guides/duns-to-uei)Updated 2026-11-12. Sources checked 2026-11-12.Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

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HTML version: https://samgovapi.io/guides/what-is-uei . Markdown: https://samgovapi.io/guides/what-is-uei.md

Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

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