Source & Authority Information
- •SAM.gov Entity Validation Overview(accessed 2026-01-15)
- •DLA CAGE Program(accessed 2026-01-15)
- •GSA UEI Information(accessed 2026-01-15)
Understanding the Unique Entity Identifier System
Understanding CAGE Codes
Entity Validation Process in SAM.gov
- 1Gather required documentation before beginning registration
Before starting SAM.gov registration, collect all documentation and information needed for validation including your Employer Identification Number assigned by the IRS, official legal business name exactly as registered with your state, physical business address that can be verified against official records, banking information for payment setup, and any state business license or registration numbers. Having accurate documentation available prevents delays during validation.
- 2Enter registration information accurately and consistently
During SAM.gov registration, enter all information exactly as it appears in your official documentation. Your legal business name should match your IRS registration and state filing exactly, including punctuation, abbreviations, and spacing. Address information should match verifiable records. Inconsistencies between entered information and validation source records cause validation failures requiring resolution before registration completes.
- 3Complete identity verification requirements
SAM.gov requires identity verification for entity administrators who will manage the registration. This involves providing personal identifying information that can be verified against authoritative identity databases. Follow identity verification prompts carefully and provide accurate personal information. Failed identity verification prevents registration completion until verification is successfully completed or alternative verification methods are arranged.
- 4Monitor registration status through validation process
After submitting registration information, monitor your SAM.gov registration status regularly to track validation progress and identify any issues requiring attention. Registration may remain pending during validation for periods ranging from a few days to several weeks depending on entity complexity and validation requirements. Address any validation issues or documentation requests promptly to minimize registration delays.
- 5Maintain accurate information for ongoing validation compliance
After initial registration completes, maintain current and accurate information in your SAM.gov record to ensure continued validation compliance. Annual renewal requires revalidation of registration information. Changes to business name, address, ownership, or other validated information should be updated in SAM.gov promptly to maintain registration validity and prevent issues during annual renewal.
Common Validation Issues and Resolution
- Legal name mismatches: The business name entered in SAM.gov does not exactly match IRS records or state registration. Resolve by entering the name exactly as it appears in official documents, including all punctuation and abbreviations, or by updating official records to reflect your preferred business name.
- Address verification failures: The physical business address cannot be verified against validation databases. Resolve by ensuring the entered address matches official records exactly, providing utility bills or lease agreements documenting the address, or updating official records if the address has changed.
- EIN validation errors: The Employer Identification Number does not match the legal entity name in IRS records. Resolve by verifying you entered the correct EIN, confirming the legal name matches IRS records exactly, or contacting the IRS to resolve discrepancies in their records.
- Identity verification failures: The entity administrator personal information cannot be verified. Resolve by ensuring entered personal information matches government identification exactly, following alternative verification procedures offered by SAM.gov, or designating a different administrator whose identity can be verified.
- Duplicate entity detection: SAM.gov identifies potential duplicate registrations for your entity. Resolve by confirming whether previous registrations exist that should be reactivated rather than creating new registration, or providing documentation demonstrating the new registration represents a distinct legal entity.
