Carrier registration (A2P 10DLC)

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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.

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Who needs to register

All OpenPhone users must register to text US numbers:

• Businesses with tax ID: Can register as organizations
• Sole proprietors without tax ID: Must register through sole proprietor path
• International businesses: Need valid business tax identification

Requirements for registration:

• Paid OpenPhone account (trial users must upgrade)
• Owner or Admin role in workspace
• Web or desktop app access (mobile registration not supported)

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Watch our video to learn more

Watch this quick video or keep reading below to learn more about carrier registration.

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Registration paths

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Business/Organization registration

Requirements:

• Valid business tax ID (EIN, BN-9, VAT number, etc.)
• Business address matching tax registration
• Company website or business listing

Benefits:

• All phone numbers in workspace can text US numbers
• Send up to 6,000 message segments per day

Costs:

• One-time fee: $19 (to The Campaign Registry)
• Monthly fee: $1.50/month (most organizations), $3/month (non-profits)
• Resubmission fee: $15 if rejected

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Sole proprietor registration

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.

Limitations:

• Only one of your phone numbers will be cleared to text US numbers per registration
• Send up to 3,000 message segments per day

Costs:

• One-time fee: $19 (this is paid to the a 3rd party campaign registry, this is not our fee)
• Monthly fee: $2/month
• Resubmission fee: $15 if rejected

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Registration process

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Step 1: Access registration

1. Go to Settings → Trust in web/desktop app
2. Click Get started to begin eligibility questionnaire
3. Complete screening questions to determine registration path

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Step 2: Provide business information

For businesses with tax ID:

• Legal business name (must match tax documents exactly)
• Business type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership, etc.)
• Tax identification number (EIN, BN-9, etc.)
• Business address (must match registration address)
• Industry category
• Website URL

For sole proprietors:

• First and last name
• Business/DBA name (optional)
• Email address and mobile number
• US or Canadian address
• Industry (optional)

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Step 3: Messaging details

Provide detailed information about your messaging use case: 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

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Privacy policy requirements

All users must have a privacy policy stating you won’t share customer contact data with third parties. Choose from:

1. Edit existing policy: Add provided text snippet to your current privacy policy
2. Generate new policy: Let OpenPhone create a privacy policy for you

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Registration status tracking

Monitor your application progress in Settings → Trust:

• Pending: Awaiting approval
• Approved: Registration successful
• Rejected: Needs resubmission

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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

Messaging compliance issues

• 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

Technical issues

• 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

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Toll-free number registration

Separate registration required for toll-free numbers messaging US/Canadian numbers:

• Free registration (included in subscription)
• Required since November 8, 2023
• Individual registration for each toll-free number
• 2-3 week processing time

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Best practices for success

Accurate information

• Match tax documents exactly: Use IRS Form CP-575 for US businesses
• Consistent branding: Ensure business name, website, and samples align
• Complete addresses: Include all address components (suite, apartment numbers)

Compelling use case

• Detailed descriptions: Explain your messaging use thoroughly
• Realistic examples: Provide actual messages you’ll send
• Clear consent process: Document how you obtain permission
• Compliance focus: Show understanding of opt-out requirements

Documentation preparation

• Have business tax documents ready (CP-575, BN-9, etc.)
• Prepare 2+ sample messages with opt-out language
• Document your consent collection process
• Ensure website is functional and matches business name

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Troubleshooting rejections

If registration is rejected:

1. Review rejection reason in Trust settings and email notification
2. Verify all information matches business tax documents exactly
3. Update inconsistent details (business name, address, samples)
4. Resubmit application with corrected information
5. Contact support if rejection reason is unclear

Common fixes:

• 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

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Post-registration management

Adding phone numbers

• Business registration: New numbers automatically covered
• Sole proprietor: Only one number can text US numbers

Message volume limits

• Business: 6,000 segments/day (2,000 to T-Mobile)
• Sole proprietor: 3,000 segments/day (1,000 to T-Mobile)
• Subject to Fair Use Policy

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Ongoing compliance

• Monthly fees: Automatically charged to maintain registration
• Subscription continuity: Registration ends if account cancelled over 30 days

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FAQs