If your business sends SMS or MMS messages to US phone numbers using local 10-digit phone numbers, you must complete A2P 10DLC registration before sending messages.
Without an approved registration, carriers may block your messages or limit delivery.
What is A2P 10DLC?
A2P 10DLC stands for Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code.
It is the registration framework used by US mobile carriers for business messaging sent through local 10-digit phone numbers.
The goal is to improve message deliverability, reduce spam, and help carriers verify who is sending messages.
Who Needs A2P 10DLC Registration?
You need A2P 10DLC registration if:
- You send SMS or MMS messages to US phone numbers.
- You use local US long code numbers.
- You send business, support, notification, marketing, or transactional messages.
If you do not send messages to US phone numbers, no action is required.
How A2P 10DLC Registration Works
There are two required steps:
1. Brand Registration
Brand registration identifies your business.
Information commonly required includes:
- Legal business name
- Business address
- Tax ID or EIN
- Business website
- Company type
2. Campaign Registration
Campaign registration identifies the type of messages you send.
Examples include:
- Customer care
- Appointment reminders
- Account notifications
- Marketing messages
- Two-factor authentication
Each messaging use case must match the campaign you register.
Information Required for Registration
Before starting registration, prepare:
- Legal business name
- Tax ID or EIN
- Business website
- Business address
- Contact information
- Sample SMS messages
- Opt-in process details
- Privacy Policy URL
- Terms of Service URL
Common Reasons for Rejection
Campaigns are commonly rejected when:
- Business information does not match official records.
- Sample messages do not match the declared use case.
- The website is incomplete or unavailable.
- Consumer consent is not clearly documented.
- Privacy Policy or Terms of Service pages are missing.
- Opt-in and opt-out instructions are unclear.
Best Practices
To improve approval rates:
- Use your legal business name exactly as registered.
- Make sure your website is publicly accessible.
- Clearly explain how users consent to receive messages.
- Include STOP instructions in your messaging program.
- Maintain Privacy Policy and Terms of Service pages.
- Ensure sample messages accurately represent your use case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need new phone numbers?
No. Existing US local numbers can usually be associated with an approved campaign.
Does A2P 10DLC affect WhatsApp?
No. A2P 10DLC only applies to carrier-based SMS and MMS messaging.
Does A2P 10DLC apply outside the United States?
A2P 10DLC primarily applies to messaging sent to US recipients using US local numbers.
What happens if I don’t register?
Messages may be blocked, filtered, or experience reduced deliverability.
Need Help?
If you need assistance with A2P 10DLC registration, contact help@dialnext.io.
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Additional Resources
For the latest carrier registration requirements, review The Campaign Registry .
You can also review messaging best practices from CTIA .
