How to Register on SAM.gov: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

SAM.gov registration is the mandatory first step for any company that wants to do business with the U.S. federal government. This guide walks you through every field you will need to complete, including the common mistakes that delay approval.

Category: SAM.gov & Opportunities · 10 min read · Published 2025-10-01 · Updated 2026-01-15

Key takeaways

  • SAM.gov registration is free and mandatory for any company that wants to prime a federal contract, receive a federal grant, or be paid by a federal agency. Never pay a third party to register for you.
  • New registrations typically take 7 to 10 business days to become active, because SAM.gov validates your EIN directly with the IRS.
  • The single most common cause of delay is a mismatch between your legal business name in SAM.gov and the name on your IRS EIN assignment letter.
  • Registration must be renewed annually; letting it lapse makes you ineligible to receive awards or payments.
  • You need an EIN, your exact legal name and physical address, NAICS codes, and bank routing and account numbers before you start.

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) registration is the mandatory first step for any company that wants to receive payments from the U.S. federal government. This guide walks you through every step of the process and the common mistakes that can delay your registration by weeks.

What is SAM.gov?

SAM.gov is the federal government's official system for entity registration, opportunity listings, and exclusions. Any company that wants to prime a federal contract, receive federal grants, or be paid by a federal agency must have an active registration in SAM.gov. Registration is completely free. Never pay a third party to register on your behalf.

What You Need Before You Start

Before beginning your SAM.gov registration, gather the following:

Legal Entity Information: Your exact legal business name as registered with your state, your physical business address, your business structure (LLC, corporation, sole proprietor, etc.), and your year of incorporation.

Tax Identification: Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. If you are a sole proprietor, you may use your SSN, but an EIN is strongly recommended. SAM.gov validates your EIN directly with the IRS, so the name on your SAM.gov registration must match your IRS records exactly.

NAICS Codes: The 6-digit codes that describe your primary business activities. You can have multiple NAICS codes. Review the complete list at census.gov/naics and select the codes most relevant to the type of work you want to pursue.

Banking Information: Your bank's routing number and your account number for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The government pays by EFT, and this information is required to complete registration.

Past Performance (optional): References for up to 20 past contracts or projects.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Create a Login.gov Account. SAM.gov requires authentication through Login.gov. Go to login.gov and create an account with a strong password and multi-factor authentication. This account protects your sensitive business and banking information.

Step 2: Navigate to SAM.gov and Begin Registration. Go to sam.gov, sign in with Login.gov, and select "Register Entity" from the main menu. Choose "U.S. Entity" if your business is registered in the United States.

Step 3: Core Data. Enter your legal business name exactly as it appears with the IRS. Enter your EIN. Enter your physical address (P.O. boxes are not accepted as primary addresses). Enter your CAGE Code if you already have one; if not, SAM.gov will assign one.

Step 4: Assertions. Add your primary NAICS code and any additional codes. For each code, SAM.gov will ask whether you qualify as a small business under that NAICS code's size standard. This is where you establish your small business status for set aside eligibility.

Step 5: Representations and Certifications. This section contains FAR and DFARS certifications, legal representations about your business. Read each carefully. Providing false information is a federal crime.

Step 6: Points of Contact. Enter contacts for electronic business, government business, and past performance. These are the people contracting officers will call.

Step 7: EFT Information. Enter your banking details. This information is encrypted and used only for government payments.

Step 8: Submit and Wait. After submission, SAM.gov validates your EIN with the IRS. This process can take 7 to 10 business days for new registrations. You will receive email confirmation when your registration is active.

Common Registration Errors

The most common reason registrations are delayed or rejected is a mismatch between the business name in SAM.gov and the name on file with the IRS. Check your IRS EIN assignment letter to confirm the exact name. Other common issues include using a P.O. box as a primary address, selecting incorrect business type, and incomplete banking information.

Maintaining Your SAM.gov Registration

SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. Failing to renew causes your registration to lapse, making you ineligible to receive contract awards or payments. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your annual expiration date to begin the renewal process.

After Registration: Next Steps

Once active, you can begin searching for opportunities on SAM.gov. ProposalApp connects directly to SAM.gov and uses AI to match your NAICS codes and capabilities to relevant open solicitations, saving hours of manual searching every week.

Frequently asked questions

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

After submission, SAM.gov validates your EIN with the IRS, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days for a new registration. Gathering documents and completing the form itself usually takes a few hours. Errors, especially a name mismatch with IRS records, can add weeks.

Is SAM.gov registration free?

Yes. Registering an entity on SAM.gov is completely free. Third-party services that charge to register on your behalf provide no access or advantage you cannot get yourself.

What do I need before registering on SAM.gov?

Your exact legal business name as registered with your state, physical business address (P.O. boxes are not accepted), business structure and year of incorporation, your EIN from the IRS, the NAICS codes describing your work, and your bank routing and account numbers for Electronic Funds Transfer.

Why was my SAM.gov registration rejected or delayed?

The most common cause is a mismatch between the business name entered in SAM.gov and the name on file with the IRS. Check your EIN assignment letter for the exact name. Other frequent issues are using a P.O. box as the primary address, selecting the wrong business type, and incomplete banking information.

How often do I have to renew my SAM.gov registration?

Annually. A lapsed registration makes you ineligible to receive contract awards or payments, so set a reminder about 60 days before your expiration date to start the renewal.

Do I need a DUNS number for SAM.gov?

No. The DUNS number was replaced by the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which SAM.gov assigns to you during registration at no cost.

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