Summary: This guide provides instructions for enrolling in the Apple Developer Program as an organization. Following these steps is a necessary prerequisite for publishing your custom Tithely Church App on the App Store.
Before You Begin
Creating an Apple Developer account as an organization requires specific legal and business information. Please have the following items ready before you start:
- D-U-N-S Number: This is a unique nine-digit number used by Apple to verify your church's identity as a legal entity. You can .
- Legal Entity Status: Your church must be registered as a legal entity (e.g., non-profit, corporation). Apple does not accept DBAs, fictitious businesses, or trade names for this type of account.
- Legal Binding Authority: The person completing the enrollment must have the legal authority to sign agreements on behalf of the church (e.g., a founder or senior executive).
- A Public Website: Your church must have a public website with a domain name that is clearly associated with your organization.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Navigate to Apple's Developer Account sign up. https://developer.apple.com/
- Log in with the Apple ID that will be permanently associated with your church's app.
- Select your organization's entity type when prompted. For churches, this will typically be 'Company / Organization' or 'Non-Profit Organization'.
- Review the requirements, ensure you have the information from the "Before You Begin" section ready, and click the 'Continue' button.
- Follow Apple's on-screen instructions to enter your organization's details, complete the verification process, and submit payment for the annual membership fee.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
- Should I choose 'Non-Profit' or 'Company / Organization'? Registering as a Non-Profit may allow you to have the $99/year Apple Developer fee waived, but the verification process can be more complex. Registering as a Company / Organization is often simpler and is the more common choice. Both account types will allow you to add Tithely as a developer.
- What is a D-U-N-S Number and why is it required? It is a globally recognized business identifier that Apple uses to verify your organization's identity and legal status. It is free to request and is mandatory for creating an organization-level developer account. Check if your church has one or request one here.
- Apple rejected our application. What should we do? This usually happens if one of the prerequisites is not met (e.g., legal entity status, D-U-N-S number, or the legal authority of the person enrolling). Please carefully review the feedback provided by Apple and contact Apple Developer Support directly for assistance. Begin your registration at Apple's enrollment page. Use the Apple ID linked to your church's app.
- My account is approved. What's next? Once your account is active, the next step is to grant Tithely access so we can publish your app. Please see our guide on .
Related Articles
- Upon acceptance, you'll have to grant Tithely access to the account. Instructions for this are provided in Giving Tithely Access to Your Developer Accounts.