What is A2P 10DLC?
A2P (Application-to-Person) 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is the industry standard for business text messaging in the United States. US mobile carriers now require all businesses to register their brand and messaging campaigns before sending SMS messages through standard phone numbers. Without registration, your text messages may be filtered, throttled, or blocked entirely by carriers.Why Do I Need It?
- Reliable delivery — Registered messages are trusted by carriers and reach customers consistently
- Higher throughput — Send more messages per second compared to unregistered numbers
- Carrier compliance — Meet regulatory requirements from T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and other US carriers
- Avoid filtering — Unregistered messages are increasingly blocked as spam
Registration Fees
| Fee | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Brand registration | $4 | One-time |
| Campaign registration | $15 | One-time |
What You’ll Need
Before starting the registration process, gather the following information:Business Details
- Legal business name
- Business type (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
- Industry
- EIN or business registration number
- Business website
Contact & Address
- Authorized contact name, email, and phone
- Job title and position
- Business mailing address
Messaging Details
- How you will use texting (use case)
- How customers opt in to texts
- Two sample text messages
Compliance Info
- Whether messages include links
- Whether messages include phone numbers
- Opt-in and opt-out process
How to Register
Review the A2P Overview
Read through the “What is A2P 10DLC?” section to understand the requirements. Check the “Before you start” list to make sure you have everything ready.
Fill in Business Information
Enter your legal business name, select your business type and industry from the dropdowns, and optionally add your website URL.
Add Business Registration
Select your business identity type (Direct Customer or ISV/Reseller), choose your registration identifier (EIN, DUNS, etc.), enter the number, and select your region of operation.
Enter Authorized Contact
Provide the name, email, phone number, title, and job position of the person authorized to manage this registration.
Describe Your Messaging Use Case
Select your use case (e.g., Customer Care), describe how you will use texting in 40+ characters, and explain how customers opt in to receive messages.
Opt-in and Opt-out Requirements
Carriers require that recipients have explicitly agreed to receive your messages. Your message flow description should explain how customers consent to receiving texts. Opt-in examples:- Customer verbally agrees during a phone call
- Customer checks a box on your website
- Customer texts a keyword to your number
- Every campaign must support STOP to unsubscribe
- Honor opt-out requests immediately
- Do not send messages to customers who have opted out
Privacy Policy Requirements
If you collect personal information through text messaging, you should have a privacy policy that covers:- What data you collect
- How you use the data
- How customers can opt out
- How you protect customer information
After Approval
Once your registration is approved:- Status updates — Your texting settings page will show “Approved” status
- Select a sender — Choose a default phone number for outbound texts
- Start texting — Your AI assistant can now send text messages to callers
Registration Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Not Started | You haven’t submitted a registration yet |
| Pending | Your registration has been submitted and is under review (1-7 business days) |
| Approved | Your registration was approved — you can send texts |
| Rejected | Your registration was rejected — review the error and resubmit |
Troubleshooting
My registration was rejected
My registration was rejected
Review the error message shown on the Texting Settings page. Common reasons include:
- Business name doesn’t match EIN records
- Invalid or expired registration number
- Incomplete or vague use case description
- Message samples that don’t match the stated use case
Registration is taking longer than 7 days
Registration is taking longer than 7 days
While most registrations complete within 1-7 business days, some may take longer during high-volume periods. Contact support if your registration has been pending for more than 10 business days.
I changed my business name or EIN
I changed my business name or EIN
You’ll need to submit a new registration with the updated information. Contact support for assistance with updating an existing registration.
My messages aren't being delivered
My messages aren't being delivered
Verify that:
- Your A2P registration shows “Approved”
- You have selected a default sender phone number
- The recipient hasn’t opted out (texted STOP)
- Your message content complies with carrier policies (no prohibited content)
I don't have an EIN
I don't have an EIN
If you don’t have a US EIN, you can use other registration identifiers:
- DUNS — Dun & Bradstreet number
- CCN — Canadian Corporation Number
- ACN — Australian Company Number
- Other — Contact support for guidance
FAQ
Is A2P registration required?
Is A2P registration required?
Yes. US carriers require all businesses to register before sending application-to-person text messages. Without registration, messages will be filtered or blocked.
How much does registration cost?
How much does registration cost?
Registration is free for Answering Agent customers. The 15 campaign fee are covered by your plan.
How long does approval take?
How long does approval take?
Most registrations are approved within 1-7 business days. You’ll be notified when your status changes.
Can I register multiple phone numbers?
Can I register multiple phone numbers?
Yes. A2P registration applies to your entire team. Once approved, all phone numbers on your team can be used for texting.
What happens if I'm rejected?
What happens if I'm rejected?
You’ll see the rejection reason on your Texting Settings page. Fix the issues, update your information, and resubmit. There’s no limit on resubmissions.
Do I need a separate registration for each phone number?
Do I need a separate registration for each phone number?
No. Registration is per-team, not per-phone-number. One registration covers all numbers on your team.
Can I send texts while registration is pending?
Can I send texts while registration is pending?
No. You must wait for your registration to be approved before sending texts. This typically takes 1-7 business days.
What types of messages can I send?
What types of messages can I send?
You can send messages that match your registered use case (e.g., customer care, appointment reminders, follow-ups). You cannot send prohibited content such as illegal substances, gambling, or loan offers without proper licensing.
How do I change my default sender number?
How do I change my default sender number?
Go to Settings > Texting and use the “Default Sender” dropdown to select a different phone number. The change takes effect immediately.