How to Register in SAM.gov (2026 Step-by-Step)
To register in SAM.gov, sign in with a Login.gov account, validate your entity to get a Unique Entity ID (UEI), then complete your entity registration — your business details, NAICS codes, size, reps & certifications, and banking. Registration is free and must be renewed every 365 days. It can take up to 10 business days to become active.
SAM.gov registration is free
Never pay a third party to "register" you — SAM.gov registration costs nothing. You can do every step below yourself.
- 1
Gather your information first
Have your legal business name and physical address (exactly as on your official documents), your EIN/TIN, your bank routing and account numbers, and your primary NAICS code(s) ready. Mismatched name/address details are the #1 cause of registration delays.
- 2
Sign in to SAM.gov
Go to sam.gov and sign in — you’ll authenticate with a free Login.gov account. Create one if you don’t have it.
- 3
Validate your entity to get your UEI
Entity validation is the first step: SAM.gov validates your legal name and address, then issues your Unique Entity ID (UEI) — the 12-character identifier that replaced DUNS. The UEI itself does not expire.
- 4
Complete your entity registration
Enter your business information, select your NAICS codes and confirm your small-business size, complete the representations & certifications, and add your banking details for payment. Your CAGE code is assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency during this step.
- 5
Submit and wait for "Active"
Submit your registration. It can take up to 10 business days to process and become Active. Track progress with SAM.gov’s status tracker; if name/TIN/CAGE validation fails, SAM.gov emails you instructions to fix and resubmit.
- 6
Renew every 365 days
A SAM.gov registration stays active for one year. Set a calendar reminder to renew before it lapses — an expired registration can cost you an award.
Registered? Start finding federal & state opportunities matched to your NAICS and set-asides — free.
Find contracts now →Frequently asked questions
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
Expect 1–2 hours to complete the forms, then up to 10 business days for the registration to validate and become Active. Mismatched name/address/TIN details are the most common cause of delays.
Is SAM.gov registration free?
Yes — completely free. The government does not charge to register, and you can complete every step yourself. Avoid third parties that charge a fee to do it for you.
Do I need to register before searching for contracts?
No. You can search and analyze opportunities without registering. An active SAM.gov registration is required to be awarded a federal contract, not to research them.