SAM registration for foreign companies: how to get a UEI number and NCAGE code

To do business with the U.S. federal government, your company needs an identifier on SAM.gov. This is how to get it from outside the United States, including the real stumbling blocks along the way.

Updated Nov 2, 2026 · 7 min read

What are SAM.gov and the UEI?

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the official, free U.S. government system where companies register to receive federal contracts or funds. When you register, SAM.gov assigns a UEI (Unique Entity ID): a 12-character alphanumeric code that identifies your company across the federal system. Since April 2022 it has replaced the old DUNS number.

UEI only or full registration

If you are just starting, get the UEI first. You can move to full registration when you are ready to bid as a prime contractor.

What you need before you start

• A Login.gov account with your email and a second verification method (authentication app or security key).
• Your company's exact legal name, as it appears in the business registry of your country.
• The company's physical address, matching your official documents.
• The date of incorporation or registration in the business registry.
• Documents that prove the above, as PDFs, in case SAM.gov cannot find your company in its databases (articles of incorporation, registry certificate, tax record).

How to get the UEI

1. Go to sam.gov and sign in with Login.gov.
2. In your Workspace, choose Get Started and then Get a Unique Entity ID only.
3. Enter the legal name, country and address. SAM.gov looks your company up in its validation provider's databases.
4. If it appears, select it, confirm the details, enter the date of incorporation, certify that you are authorized to act for the company and submit. The UEI is assigned immediately.
5. If it does not appear, choose My entity is not listed and upload your documents. This opens a case with the Federal Service Desk (FSD), which reviews the documents and creates your company's record. It usually takes from a few days to several weeks.
6. Once the case is resolved, return to your Workspace: the company shows as Pending ID Assignment with a prompt to continue validation. Resume it, search again, confirm and submit.

Common mistakes when searching for your company

These details make SAM.gov "miss" a company outside the U.S. even when it is already in its records:

• Filling in region or postal code. For entities outside the U.S. and Canada, leave Administrative Area / Region and Postal Code blank.
• Using accents or special characters. Type without them: "Jesus Maria" rather than "Jesús María".
• Changing the legal form. Small differences such as "EIRL" versus "E.I.R.L." are not a problem; do not update the record just for that, because it restarts validation.
• Using "Add New Entity" again. If you already have a case or a pending entity, continue it. Creating another one makes duplicates.

After the UEI: full registration

To bid as a prime contractor you will need:

• An NCAGE code. Companies outside the U.S. get it free of charge through the NSPA (NATO's procurement agency) before completing SAM.gov registration.
• Banking details to receive electronic payments.
• NAICS codes for your activities and the representations and certifications (Reps & Certs) required by the FAR.
• An entity administrator, who can be a legal representative or a person appointed by notarized letter.

Full registration must be renewed every year. SAM.gov emails the administrator before it expires.

Watch out for fees

SAM.gov registration is free. Some private companies send official-looking emails offering to "activate" or "renew" your registration for a fee. They are not the government. Do it yourself at sam.gov.

Frequently asked questions

This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Federal contracting rules change: always confirm requirements on SAM.gov and in each solicitation.