Carrier registration (A2P 10DLC)
Complete US carrier registration to ensure message delivery and avoid filtering
What is carrier registration?
Carrier registration, also known as A2P 10DLC, refers to a standard in the United States that allows businesses to send Application-to-Person (A2P) type messaging via standard 10-digit long code(10DLC) phone numbers. Major US carriers consider all messages sent using virtual phone numbers with local area codes, like the ones provided by OpenPhone, to be A2P.Who is required to register?
Every OpenPhone customer, as virtual phone users who send texts to any US number needs to register, whether using OpenPhone for business or personal use (i.e., texting friends and family). We are not able to support a personal use case exemption at this time.As of August 31, 2023, unregistered numbers cannot text US phone numbers. Registration is mandatory for all virtual phone number users.
How long does registration take?
The time for completing the entire registration process can vary. Most approvals happen within 5-7 business days; others have remained in pending status for up to 30 days. In rare cases where key information is unable to be verified expediently, registration may take longer than 30 days. You are not able to message US numbers while awaiting registration approval.If my registration is rejected, what can I do?
A third-party company handles the verification of your information, and we do not have any control over whether your application is approved or rejected. The information we receive is limited. However, you can view the reason your application was rejected in-app and in a related email. You should reference this information to resubmit your application for approval.Overview
US carrier registration (also referred to as A2P 10DLC) is required for all businesses sending text messages to US phone numbers through OpenPhone. This registration improves message deliverability and prevents carrier filtering by verifying your business and messaging use case.Watch our video to learn more
Or keep reading below to learn more about carrier registration.Registration paths
Have an EIN number?
Requirements:- Business address matching tax registration
- Company website or business listing
- One-time fee: $19.50 (we pay this to the Carrier Registry on your behalf)
- Monthly fee: 3/month (non-profits)
- Resubmission fee: $15 if rejected
Sole proprietor (no EIN number)
Requirements:- Must have a US or Canadian address
- Need a working mobile number that is NOT also your OpenPhone number (+1 country code, not VoIP)
- Take this path if you do not have an EIN number. If you don’t know what that is, you likely do not have one.
- Only one of your phone numbers will be cleared to text US numbers per registration
- You may see a cap for number of messages you can send per day. This is visible in the A2P dashboard once you’re approved
- One-time fee: $19.50 (this is paid to the a 3rd party campaign registry, this is not our fee)
- Monthly fee: $2/month
- Resubmission fee: $15 if rejected
Registration process
Step 1: Access registration
- Go to your OpenPhone account’s settings page.
- Select Trust.
- Click Get started to go through a short questionnaire to confirm your eligibility. Please answer the questions thoroughly. If you’re unsure what to say, watch our short walkthrough video above.
Step 2: Provide business information
For businesses with tax ID:- Provide your egal business name (must match tax documents exactly)
- Tell us your official business type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership, etc.)
- Provide your tax identification number (EIN, BN-9, etc.)
- Enter a business address that matches your official address
- Select your industry category from a drop-down meu
- Provide your website URL. If you don’t have a website, an official Facebook, Yelp, or Instagram page should work.
- We’ll need your first and last name
- Your Business/DBA name if you have one
- A wotking email address
- A mobile call phone number. This cannot be your OpenPhone number, it MUST be a mobile number
- A US or Canadian address
Step 3: Enter your messaging details
Provide detailed information about your messaging use cases: Business messaging description:Explain how you’ll use text messaging day-to-day. Be specific and detailed.
Example: “Our massage therapy business will send appointment confirmation texts after someone opts in when scheduling through our website.”Sample messages: Provide at least 2 example messages you’ll typically send. Include templated fields in brackets.
Example: “Dental checkup due for [Mary Doe]. Visit [www.contoso.com] to schedule or call [123-456-7890]. Reply STOP to opt out.”Consent collection: Select how you collect permission to send messages:
- Website opt-in forms
- Verbal consent
- Written forms
- Text-to-subscribe keywords
Include opt-out language in at least one sample message and ensure your consent method is clearly documented.
Privacy policy requirements
All users must have a privacy policy stating you won’t share customer contact data with third parties. Choose from:- Edit existing policy: Add a provided text snippet to your own current privacy policy
- Generate new policy: Let OpenPhone create a privacy policy for you that fits what the carriers are looking for
Registration status tracking
Monitor your application progress in Settings → Trust:- Pending: Awaiting approval
- Approved: Registration successful
- Rejected: Will need to be resubmitted
You will be without outbound messaging capabilities to US numbers while you wait for the new submission to be approved.
Common rejection reasons
Business information mismatches- EIN doesn’t match tax documents: Ensure exact match with IRS Form CP-575
- Business name inconsistencies: Include all designations (are you an LLC, Inc., or Corp? Incluide that.)
- Address discrepancies: Include complete address with suite/apartment numbers
- Insufficient consent description: You need to include more explicit opt-out language in your samples
- Inconsistent sample messages: Ensure you don’t sound like wildly different people or businesses in your examples
- Missing opt-out language: Include example unsubscribe instructions in your submission
- Invalid mobile number: Must be US/Canadian cellular (not VoIP)
- New EIN: Your EIN needs to be at least 30 days old before this will work
- Website problems: Ensure your address works and the website matches your business
Toll-free number registration
Separate registration required for toll-free numbers messaging US/Canadian numbers. You can read about it in detail here.- Free registration (included in subscription)
- Required since November 8, 2023
- Individual registration for each toll-free number
- 2-3 week processing time
Best practices for success
Provide vdery accurate information- Match tax documents exactly: Use IRS Form CP-575 for US businesses
- Consistent branding: Ensure business name, website, and samples align in use of your business name
- Complete addresses: Include all address components (suite, apartment numbers, what have you)
- Detailed descriptions: Thoroughly explain why you plan to send texts to your customers
- Realistic examples: Provide actual messages that you’re likely to send
- Clear consent process: Document how you obtain permission from people, even it’s a simple as asking them when they come into your store
- Compliance focus: Show that you understand you must respect when a customer asks you to stop texting the,
Troubleshooting rejections
If registration is rejected:- **Review rejection reasons so you know what to update. **You’ll see this in Trust settings and via email notification
- Verify all information properly matches business tax documents exactly
- Update inconsistent details (business name, address, samples)
- Resubmit application with corrected information
- Contact support if you have any questions and we’ll walk you through it
- Correct EIN or business name spelling
- Add missing address components
- Revise sample messages for brand consistency
- Update consent description with more detail
- Fix website URL or business listing link
Post-registration management
Adding phone numbers- Business registration: Any new numbers are automatically covered as you add them to your workspace
- Sole proprietor: Only one number in your account can text US numbers
Ongoing compliance
- Monthly fees of $1.50 automatically charged to maintain registration
- Subscription continuity: Registration ends if you cancel your account and leave it canceled for 30 days
FAQs
Can I register during trial?
Can I register during trial?
No, only paid OpenPhone customers can complete carrier registration. Upgrade to a paid plan first.
How long does registration take?
How long does registration take?
Processing varies from 5-7 business days to 30+ days depending on review backlog. Manual review by third parties can cause delays.
Can I expedite my registration?
Can I expedite my registration?
No, registration cannot be expedited. All applications are manually reviewed by The Campaign Registry and third-party entities.
What if I don't have an EIN?
What if I don't have an EIN?
Sole proprietors without business tax ID can register with US/Canadian address and valid mobile number. Only one number can text US numbers.
Can I switch an existing registration from sole prop to business?
Can I switch an existing registration from sole prop to business?
Yes! Please reach out to our support team. They can delete your sole proprieter registration, and then you can re-register for a business registration using your EIN number.
Do I need to register toll-free numbers?
Do I need to register toll-free numbers?
Yes, toll-free numbers require separate (free) registration to text US/Canadian numbers. This is different from A2P 10DLC registration.
Can I register from outside US/Canada?
Can I register from outside US/Canada?
Businesses with valid tax ID can register from anywhere. Sole proprietors must have US/Canadian address and +1 mobile number.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
Registration ends if subscription is cancelled for more than 30 days. You’ll need to re-register when reactivating.
Why was my registration rejected?
Why was my registration rejected?
Common reasons include business information mismatches, insufficient messaging details, invalid mobile numbers, or new EINs (under 30 days old).