CAC Status Report for DUNS Application: What Nigerian Businesses Need
When applying for a DUNS number, Dun & Bradstreet does not only want your CAC certificate. They also need your CAC status report — and missing it is one of the most common reasons DUNS applications stall for Nigerian companies.
This article explains what the status report is, where to get it, and how to submit it correctly.
What is a CAC status report?
A CAC status report (sometimes called a company status report or annual return status) is an official document from the Corporate Affairs Commission that shows your company's current registration status. It confirms:
- The company is active (not dissolved, inactive, or struck off)
- The registered name and RC/BN number
- Key filing status with CAC
For Dun & Bradstreet, this document answers a critical question: is this business still legally operating in Nigeria?
A certificate of incorporation proves you were registered. The status report proves you still are.
Why D&B requires it for DUNS applications
Dun & Bradstreet issues D-U-N-S Numbers to identify active business entities worldwide. When processing applications from Nigeria, D&B cross-references:
- CAC certificate — who you are and when you were registered
- Status report — whether you are currently active
- Application details — address, director, phone, line of business
If the status report is missing, outdated, or inconsistent with the certificate, verification slows down or fails. D&B may request additional documentation or reject the submission.
How to obtain your CAC status report
You can request a status report through the CAC portal:
- Log in to https://pre.cac.gov.ng (or the current CAC online portal)
- Navigate to your company profile
- Request a Status Report or Print Status Report
- Download the PDF
Alternatively, visit a CAC office or use an accredited agent if your company filings are not up to date.
Important: If your annual returns are not filed, CAC may show your company as inactive. File any outstanding returns before requesting the status report.
How to submit it for your DUNS application
When applying through our service, upload both documents to Google Drive:
- CAC certificate — PDF of your certificate of incorporation or registration
- CAC status report — PDF of your latest status report
Set each file to "Anyone with the link can view" and paste both links in the application form.
We review both documents before submitting to Dun & Bradstreet to catch name mismatches, inactive status, or formatting issues early.
Common problems and fixes
Company shows as inactive. File outstanding annual returns with CAC, wait for status to update, then download a fresh status report.
Name on certificate differs from status report. This happens after a name change or correction. Ensure CAC records are consistent before applying.
Status report is older than 12 months. Download a current report. D&B prefers recent documentation.
Wrong document uploaded. Some founders upload their MEMART or application form instead of the status report. The status report specifically shows registration status — not share capital details alone.
What else you need alongside the status report
The full DUNS application typically requires:
- CAC certificate (Google Drive link)
- CAC status report (Google Drive link)
- Company address, phone, and email
- Director name and TIN
- Line of business description