Pufformance E-Commerce mobile app onboarding: Create an Organization Apple developer account

Creating an Organization Apple Developer Account for your organization allows you to publish apps on the App Store under your company's name and leverage features essential for business app development. This article provides a step-by-step guide on creating your account to publish apps on the App Store.

Individual Account vs. Organization Account

There is a distinct difference in creating an account as an Individual Apple Developer Account and an Organization Apple Developer Account. Be sure you are enrolling as an Organization to avoid onboarding delays. If you previously created an Individual Account and need to transitions to an Organization Account, see Transition to an Organization Account.

Prerequisites

Collect and prepare the following information:

Apple ID with Two-factor authentication:

If you don't have one, create a new Apple ID. It's highly recommended to use an email address associated with your company's domain (e.g., info@yourcompany.com) that multiple people can access.
Ensure Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is enabled for this Apple ID.

D-U-N-S® number:

Your organization must have a D-U-N-S Number. This is a unique 9-digit number assigned by Dun & Bradstreet, used by Apple to verify your organization's identity and legal status.
If you don't have one, you can look it up or request one for free on Dun & Bradstreet's website (Check your organization's D-U-N-S® Number). Receiving timelines vary, so it's best to apply early.

Legal entity status:

To enroll in a developer program, your organization must be a legal entity so that it can enter into legal agreements with Apple. We do not accept DBAs, fictitious businesses, trade names, or branches. The legal entity name must correspond with the tax ID you plan to use and will appear on your product page for apps you may distribute on the App Store and Mac App Store. Example: Seller: ABC Company, Inc.

Legal binding authority:

As the person enrolling, you must have the legal authority to bind your organization to legal agreements with Apple. This usually means being the owner/founder, an executive team member, a senior project lead, or an employee with explicit legal authority granted by a senior employee.

Company website:

Your organization's website must be publicly available, and the domain name must be associated with your organization.

Headquarters phone number:

A valid phone number where Apple can reach your organization for verification.

Payment method:

The annual fee for the Apple Developer Program is currently $99 USD (prices may vary by region).

Step-by-step instructions

Instructions are broken out into four parts. By following these steps, you can successfully create an Organization Apple Developer account and begin your journey of developing and distributing apps for Apple platforms. For more information, please refer to Enrollment - Membership - Account - Help - Apple Developer.

Part 1: Create or Prepare Your Apple ID

Go to the Apple ID creation page. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one on the Create your account page.
Fill out the form. Use your company email address. This will be your new Apple ID.
Verify your email. A 6-digit verification code will be sent to your email. Enter this code to complete your Apple ID creation.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication. If not already enabled, ensure 2FA is turned on for this Apple ID. This is a mandatory security requirement.

Part 2: Enroll in the Apple Developer Program

Go to the Apple Developer Program Enrollment page. Visit https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll/.
Click Start Your Enrollment.
Sign in with your Apple ID. Use the Apple ID you created or prepared in Part 1.
Agree to the Apple Developer Agreement. Read the terms and conditions carefully, then click Submit.
Select Entity Type. On the welcome page, click Join the Apple Developer Program, then Enroll.
In the I develop apps as field, select Company/Organization as your Entity Type. Click Continue.
Enter Organization Information:
- Legal Entity Name: Enter your company's full legal name exactly as it appears in your official registration documents (including Inc., Corp., LLC, etc.).
- D-U-N-S® Number: Enter your organization's 9-digit D-U-N-S Number.
- Website: Provide your company's public website URL.
- Headquarters Phone Number: Enter a phone number where Apple can reach your organization for verification.
- Verification Contact: If you are not the owner/founder with direct legal authority, you'll need to provide contact information for a senior employee who can verify your authority to bind the organization to legal agreements. Apple will likely call this person.
- Work Email: This should be an email associated with your organization's domain.
Review and submit. Carefully review all the information you've entered. If everything is correct, click Submit.

Part 3: Verification and Payment

Apple's verification process

Apple will begin a verification process to confirm your organization's identity and your legal authority. This typically involves them contacting your designated Verification Contact or the Headquarters Phone Number you provided. This processing times vary, so be patient and ensure the contact person is aware they might receive a call from Apple.

Confirmation and payment

Once your enrollment is verified with Apple, they will send a confirmation email to your Apple ID email address. This email contains a link to complete your purchase. Follow these steps to complete payment.

Click the link in the email, sign in with your Apple ID, and review the Apple Developer Program License Agreement.
Accept the agreement and proceed to the payment screen.
Enter your credit card details to pay the annual membership fee.

Note: You'll typically have an option for auto-renewal. We recommend auto-renew to avoid your apps being removed from the App Store due to an expired membership.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment.

Part 4: Account Activation

After successful payment, you'll receive welcome emails from Apple confirming your membership. You'll now have access to your Organization Apple Developer account, including App Store Connect, where you can manage your apps, users, and certificates.

Important notes

Apple notices and updates: It is your responsibility as a retailer to accept Apple agreements, legal notices, and annual account renewals in a timely manner. Apple will reach out to you via the contact email when these updates and notices come available.
Accuracy is Key: Ensure all information you provide, especially your legal entity name and D-U-N-S Number, is accurate and matches official records. Discrepancies can cause significant delays.
Communication: Keep an eye on the email address associated with your Apple ID for any communication from Apple regarding your enrollment status.
Patience: The verification process can take time, so plan accordingly, especially if you have a specific app launch deadline.