A Unique Entity Number (UEN) is the standard identification number assigned to a registered entity in Singapore. Businesses, companies, limited liability partnerships, societies and other registered organisations use it when dealing with government agencies.
For an entity registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), the UEN is normally issued after the registration or incorporation is approved. Other types of entities may receive their UEN from a different government agency responsible for registering them.
A UEN identifies the entity itself. It is different from Corppass, which controls who may access digital government services on the entity's behalf.
What is a UEN used for?
A UEN provides one consistent way to identify an entity across Singapore government systems. You may need it when filing taxes, making CPF submissions, applying for licences or permits, using customs services, updating corporate records, or corresponding with a government agency.
Companies also need to display their registration number, which serves as their UEN, clearly on business letters, statements of account, invoices, official notices and publications. This is a statutory display requirement. It does not mean that the UEN acts as a signature or independently proves that a document is genuine.
You will also commonly provide the UEN to banks, customers, suppliers and professional advisers so that they can identify the correct legal entity.
Who issues a UEN?
The issuing agency depends on the type of entity. ACRA issues the registration number used as the UEN for entities that it registers, including local companies, sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships.
| Entity category | UEN Issuance Agency | How the UEN is assigned |
|---|---|---|
| Companies and other business entities registered by ACRA | ACRA | The registration number issued by ACRA serves as the entity's UEN. |
| Entities registered under another government framework | The relevant UEN Issuance Agency | The registering agency issues the identifier that serves as the entity's UEN. |
Other registered entities may therefore receive a UEN from their respective UEN Issuance Agency. Examples include societies, trade unions, healthcare institutions and other organisations registered or regulated by different public agencies.
This is why not every UEN should be described as an ACRA number. The UEN is the common government identifier, while the issuing agency depends on the entity's registration framework.
When will a new business receive its UEN?
A new ACRA-registered entity receives its UEN after its registration or incorporation is approved. The UEN appears in the successful registration notice and the entity's Business Profile.
After a local company receives its UEN, it can proceed with post-incorporation matters such as setting up Corppass. ACRA states that a local company can apply for Corppass one day after receiving its UEN.
For a broader explanation of registration and corporate transactions, see our ACRA Bizfile guide. Our Corppass guide explains how authorised users access government digital services for an entity.
Does a UEN change?
An entity normally keeps the same UEN while the same registered entity continues to exist. Changing its business name or registered address does not create a new entity and does not ordinarily change its UEN.
A different UEN may be issued where the legal structure changes in a way that creates a new registered entity. For example, incorporating a company to take over a sole proprietorship does not turn the sole proprietorship's UEN into the company's UEN. The company is a separate legal entity and receives its own registration number.
What is a Special UEN?
A Special UEN (SUN) is an optional, more memorable UEN selected from an available list when registering an eligible new business entity with ACRA. A normal system-generated UEN is issued without an additional SUN fee.
| Tier | Fee | Examples of number patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | S$3,000 | Selected premium patterns, including consecutive identical numbers and combinations involving the number 8. |
| Tier 2 | S$1,000 | Selected repetitive patterns and numbers ending with three identical digits. |
A SUN must be selected during the eligible registration process. ACRA states that an entity cannot apply for one after it has already been registered, and SUN fees are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Check ACRA's current Special UEN guidance before making a selection.
How is a UEN different from Corppass and Bizfile?
| Item | Main purpose | Practical role |
|---|---|---|
| UEN | Identifies the registered entity. | Used across government systems and in business records to identify the correct legal entity. |
| Corppass | Manages who can use government digital services for the entity. | Authorised users log in and act for the entity through assigned digital-service permissions. |
| Bizfile | Provides ACRA's online business registration and filing services. | Used for registrations, corporate filings, searches and other ACRA transactions. |
The three are connected but serve different purposes. An authorised user may log in through Corppass, select the relevant entity identified by its UEN, and then complete an ACRA transaction in Bizfile.
How can you find or verify a UEN?
For an ACRA-registered entity, check its Business Profile or search the entity through Bizfile. Use the exact legal name where possible and confirm that the entity status and UEN match the organisation you intend to deal with.
Singapore's Registered Entities with Unique Entity Number collection also provides official UEN data covering entities registered with ACRA and other UEN Issuance Agencies.
Where should a company display its UEN?
Under section 144 of the Companies Act 1967, a company's registration number must appear legibly on its business letters, statements of account, invoices, official notices and publications. The company name is required on a broader list of business documents.
A company stamp is not required merely to display the UEN. The number can be printed directly on the document. See our guide on company stamps in Singapore for the separate distinction between a UEN, a company stamp and a common seal.
Starting or managing a Singapore company?
We can help with company incorporation, post-incorporation setup and ongoing corporate compliance. If you are unsure which UEN or company details to use for a filing, invoice or official document, tell us what you are working on and we will help you check it.
Explore our Singapore business incorporation services, or contact us with your question. We will be happy to understand the situation and point you in the right direction.
