How to Easily Register for 10DLC: A Complete Guide 2025

With the rise of business texting, mobile carriers have enforced strict 10DLC compliance rules to protect users from spam and phishing. To continue sending messages without interruptions, businesses must complete the 10DLC registration process.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to register for 10DLC easily and ensure compliance with carrier regulations.

What is 10 DLC?
Why 10DLC is even introduced?
What is the difference between short code and 10DLC?
What is 10 DLC Registration?
What are 10DLC registration requirements A2P?
How do I register My Business for 10DLC? (3 Easy Steps)
How long does it take for 10DLC registration?
How to get users to Opt-in and prove it to DCA?
How to improve text message deliverability and avoid spam filters
How much does it cost for 10DLC registration?
What is Trustscore and Message Throughput?
Messaging Use cases classified for 10dlc A2P
Some 10DLC campaign CTA examples for compliance
What are 10DLC text messaging Privacy and T&C requirements?
ISVs and 10DLC

What is 10 DLC?

10DLC, or 10-digit long code phone numbers, are just like regular phone numbers (e.g., 441-220-0000) that you can use for sending text messages.

If your business has a landline or internet (VoIP) phone number, it also falls under the same category of 10DLC. This means you can send texts using your business phone number, but only after meeting 10DLC compliance requirements.

However, do not confuse 10DLC with toll-free numbers, which typically start with 800, 811,…899. Toll-free numbers are not considered 10DLC, and the same compliance regulations do not apply to them.

10DLC allows businesses to send application-to-person (A2P) text messages using their local phone numbers while complying with carrier rules to avoid extra fees or penalties. Toll-free numbers can also send A2P messages to local phone numbers.

Major US carriers now require 10DLC registration, which helps improve message speed, security, and delivery rates.

What is A2P messaging?

A2P messaging was once called an Automated Messaging Service, but since businesses now use texting more like real conversations, the definition has changed.

Now, A2P messaging refers to any text message sent from a business using software like TXTImpact instead of a regular phone’s messaging app to a person. This includes texts sent via shortcodes, toll-free numbers, and 10-digit long codes (10DLC).

What is A2P 10DLC Messaging?

A2P 10DLC is a specific type of A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging that uses 10-digit long code phone numbers.

To send A2P messages, you just need a 10DLC number. Keep reading to learn more about the 10DLC registration process.

A2P messaging is a broad term, while A2P 10DLC messaging refers specifically to business texting using 10-digit numbers.

Benefits of 10DLC Over Other Phone Numbers

Send texts using local numbers – Helps businesses connect with customers.
Avoid extra fees and penalties – Compliance with carrier regulations.
Required by major US carriers – Ensures better messaging reliability.
Faster message delivery – Higher throughput than regular long codes.
Improved security – Reduces spam, scams, or phishing.
Better message reach – Increases deliverability and engagement.
Cost-effective – Cheaper than shortcodes.
Local number recognition – Builds customer trust.
Easy campaign tracking – Better performance monitoring.
Call capability – Unlike shortcodes, 10DLC numbers can make and receive calls.

Why is 10DLC even introduced?

To create a trusted system for businesses to send SMS and MMS using local numbers.
To protect consumers from spam while allowing businesses to connect with customers.
To improve message delivery with faster sending speeds than regular long codes.

What is the difference between short code and 10DLC?

Businesses prefer 10DLC numbers for three key reasons:

They can use their existing phone numbers.
They are much cheaper than other options.
Customers trust them more than shortcodes.

What About Shortcodes?

Shortcodes are 5–6 digit numbers (e.g., 444-44) used for bulk messaging. They are expensive (starting at $3,000 -$4,000 per quarter), so businesses used to share them to save costs.

The Problem with Shared Shortcodes:

Businesses had to manage opt-ins using keywords, which was messy.
Customers received unwanted messages, leading to spam complaints.
Carriers banned shared shortcodes, which led to the introduction of 10DLC regulations for better security and control.

What is 10 DLC Registration?

10DLC registration is a process that verifies your business is using text messaging for valid reasons, not spam. It informs mobile carriers about your identity and purpose for messaging customers, ensuring your texts are delivered without being blocked.

Why did Mobile Carriers create 10dlc regulations?

Mobile carriers introduced 10DLC registration to stop scammers and spammers from pretending to be real businesses and texting people without permission.

The main purpose is to make sure customers only receive messages they want, protect them from fraud, and keep business texting reliable.

Other than this, it has some additional benefits too, such as:

Faster message sending with better delivery rates.
Increased trust and credibility after registration.

Do I need to register for 10DLC?

Yes, if you send business text messages in bulk or one-on-one to U.S. customers using regular 10-digit numbers (not toll-free or shortcodes), you need to register for 10DLC. If you don’t register, your messages will be blocked by the carriers.

What happens if my business doesn’t register for 10DLC after February 1, 2025?

Since February 1, 2025, all messages sent from unregistered 10DLCs have been blocked by carriers. If your texting number is not registered, your messages will not be delivered.

Who needs to register for 10DLC?

Businesses of all sizes and non-profits who are planning to send one-on-one, mass texts or Bulk SMS in the US are required to register.

Do I need 10DLC registration for internal employee communication, 2FA codes, and customer support messaging?

Yes, in this case you are still required to register for 10DLC to avoid blocking.

Why do businesses need to register for 10DLC even for Customer Service or Internal communication?

Even if your business only texts for customer service or internal updates, it’s still considered A2P messaging. Carriers treat all business-to-person texts the same, whether they’re marketing or not.

Here are some valid reasons why businesses need to register for 10 DLC

Business Messages Are A2P - Carriers classify all business texts as A2P, even if they’re for customer support or reminders. A2P messages must follow carrier rules.
Mandatory Carrier Compliance - AT&T and T-Mobile require businesses to register for 10DLC. Unregistered messages may be blocked, delayed, or fined.
Customer Consent Is Required - If you collect customer data, like phone numbers or appointments, you must get clear consent before texting—even for non-marketing messages.
Clear Call-to-Action (CTA) - Customers must know what to expect when they text you. For example, “By texting us, you agree to receive customer support messages.” By signing up, you agree to receive promotional messages from [Business Name]. Reply STOP to opt out. Message and data rates may apply.”
Terms & Privacy Policies - Businesses must provide clear Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies to explain how customer data is used and protected. Also, data-sharing clauses are to be included.

Example Scenarios: Why 10DLC Registration Matters

Customer Support - If a customer texts your business for help, your reply is considered A2P messaging. Even though it’s not marketing, unregistered messages may be blocked.
Internal Notifications - Sending work updates or shift reminders to employees via text still counts as A2P messaging. Since it's sent through a business platform, 10DLC registration is required.
Appointment Reminders - Texting customers about upcoming appointments involves data collection and customer interaction. Carriers require these messages to follow 10DLC rules.

What are 10dlc registration requirements for A2P?

Mobile carriers created 10DLC regulations to stop scammers from pretending to be real businesses and texting people without their permission.

As a business, here’s what you need to know:

You must register your brand and campaigns with TCR or The Campaign Registry.
You need proof that customers agreed to receive your texts.
For certain industries, like cannabis, firearms, and payday loans, affiliate marketing cannot be registered.
New fees apply to all businesses for 10DLC and per-message costs.

Note: But the best part is that TXTImpact handles most of this for you—reach out if you have questions!

What is TCR or The Campaign Registry?

TCR, or The Campaign Registry, is a system responsible for approving business text messaging under 10DLC rules. It ensures that your business and messages are legitimate so carriers can deliver them smoothly and in bulk.

Again, you don’t have to handle this yourself - TXTImpact can take care of everything on your behalf and ensure a smooth, seamless A2P 10DLC registration.

How do I register My Business for 10DLC? (3 Easy Steps)

Keep ready all your Business Information, includes:

Your company’s legal name
Your company’s country of registration
The type of your organization (private, publicly traded, nonprofit)
Your company’s tax identification number/EIN
Your business’s website
Campaign name
Campaign description
Campaign use case
Campaign sample messages
Sample Message
Opt-in process, how users will opt-in or provide express consent to receive text messages from your business. Include any screenshots or opt-in or call to action (CTA) screens, such as a web signup form, a keyword, or a paper registration form.
Customer service email and phone number

Review 10DLC Campaign Vetting Key Requirements

Vetting is the process carriers use to verify that your 10DLC messaging campaign follows industry rules and best practices. Here are the key requirements to ensure your campaign gets approved smoothly:

Business Website or Online Presence
You must provide a valid website, social media page, or online listing.
- If no website is available, include a Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
- If the website contains prohibited content, the campaign will be rejected.
Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
- Your campaign must explain how users opt-in to receive messages.
- Opt-ins must be explicit, direct, and specific to text messaging.
- Cannot be implied or hidden within Terms & Conditions.
  Examples of various types of valid opt-ins:
- Web Opt-In: Entering a phone number on a website and then checking a box agreeing to receive text messages from the example brand
- Online Opt-In: Clicking a button on a mobile webpage to subscribe.
- Keyword Opt-In: Sending a keyword (e.g., "START" or “JOIN”) via text message.
- Paper Sign Up: Sign up using a paper registration form
- Signing up at a point of sale (POS),
- Opting in over the phone using interactive voice response (IVR) technology
Required Opt-in Disclosures
Every opt-in must include:
- Brand name
- Type of messages (e.g., promotions, reminders, notifications)
- Message frequency (e.g., "Msg frequency varies," "2 msgs per week")
- "Message and data rates may apply" disclaimer
- Opt-out instructions (e.g., "Text STOP to cancel")
- Help instructions (e.g., "Text HELP for support")
- Link to Privacy Policy & Terms & Conditions.
Subscriber Opt-in, Opt-out, and Help Messages
- Opt-in Message: Confirms subscription and provides key details.
- Opt-out Message: Must include STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, END, or CANCEL.
  Help Message: Includes support contact information.
Privacy Policy & Terms & Conditions
Must clearly state how user data is handled.
- Should confirm that SMS opt-in data will not be shared with third parties, especially affiliated distributors
- Must include customer support details, message frequency, and opt-out instructions.
Message Content Compliance
Avoid prohibited content (e.g., SHAFT: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco).
- Ensure messages are relevant, non-deceptive, and legally compliant.
- Political campaigns must disclose donation details and accreditation.
Keywords and Automated Responses
- Carriers require sample messages showing opt-in, opt-out, and help responses.
- Example: "Thanks for joining [Brand Name] alerts! Reply STOP to cancel. Msg & data rates may apply."

Following these key vetting requirements will help ensure a smooth 10DLC approval process.

Which 10DLC registration do I need for a brand or campaign?

The 10DLC system requires businesses to provide two key details:

Brand – This is the business or organization that owns the phone number. It represents who is sending the messages.

Campaign – This describes what type of messages the brand will send, like promotions, alerts, or reminders. The word "campaign" is sometimes called a "use case", meaning the purpose of the messages.

So, in simple terms: The brand is the sender, and the campaign is the type of messages they send.

Fill out this Registration form

Now, after reviewing and collecting all the business information, you can fill up the 10DLC Registration Form.However, we will also gather all this information from you once you successfully sign up for TXTImpact.

10DLC Registration Form Sign up for TXTImpact

Note: Campaigns for common purposes, like two-factor authentication (2FA) and account notifications, are usually approved very quickly. However, some types of campaigns may take longer, sometimes up to a week, for approval.

What are the Common Reasons for 10DLC Campaign Rejection?

Carriers may reject a 10DLC campaign for the following reasons:

Missing or Inadequate Call to Action (CTA)
- Clearly explain how users can opt-in.
- Opt-in must be direct, not shared with third parties or hidden in terms & conditions.
Incorrect Opt-out Message
- Must include at least one of these words: STOP, END, UNSUBSCRIBE.
- Phrases must be spaced correctly (e.g., "STOP 2 END" not "STOP2END").
- At least one sample message must include an opt-out option.
Prohibited SHAFT-C Content
- No content related to Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, or Tobacco (SHAFT), including cannabis and CBD.
No Website or Online Presence
- A business website or social media page must be accessible for verification.
  If found promoting restricted content, the campaign will be rejected.
Lead Generation & Affiliate Marketing
- 10DLC does not allow lead generation or affiliate marketing.
Privacy Policy Issues
- Clearly state what data you collect and how you use it.
- Allow users to opt-out or request data deletion.
- Selling data or affiliate marketing in privacy policies will lead to rejection.
Inappropriate Use Cases
- Campaigns promoting the following will be rejected:
- Social marketing, financial services (e.g., payday loans, credit repair, tax relief), gambling, insurance, recruiting, investment schemes, work-from-home offers, scams, phishing, and deceptive marketing.

Tips & Best Practices

Campaigns are manually reviewed, so approval may take days.
Register early to avoid delays.

How to get 10DLC registration approved quickly and easily?

Avoid Forbidden Content

Do not include prohibited topics like cannabis, hate speech, or illegal content.
Follow the TXTImpact Messaging Policy for compliance.

Provide Accurate & Consistent Information

Brand name, website, and sample messages must match. Example: If your brand is TXTImpact, don’t use a website like www.wire2air.com in your messages.
Use the right email domain. Large businesses must use a company email instead of Gmail or Yahoo.
Your website must be real and working. If you say users opt-in through your site, the site must be live.
Register the correct brand. If you're a software provider for dental clinics, don’t register your brand and send messages on behalf of clients.

Keep Campaigns Organized

Avoid creating too many duplicate brands or campaigns with the same EIN (Tax ID), as this can appear suspicious.
Indicate templated fields in messages using brackets, like:
"Hi [John], your appointment is on [June 5] at [10 AM]. Reply YES to confirm."

Get Proper Consent from Users

Opt-in must be clear. You can’t send messages to people who haven’t agreed to receive them.
If opt-ins happen via your website, it must display opt-in language like:
“By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from [Company Name]. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP 4 help. Message and data rates may apply.”
Include an opt-out option in messages, such as: "Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

What if My Campaign is Rejected?
If your campaign gets rejected, TXTImpact’s A2P Operations Team will contact you to fix and resubmit your registration.

How long does it take for 10DLC registration?

You'll get your brand registration approved almost instantly by The Campaign Registry. But before you can start texting, there's one more step.

You need to register your campaign with a DCA (Direct Connect Aggregator). This means providing details on how you collect opt-ins—contacts who have agreed to receive texts from your business.

The DCA will review your campaign to ensure it meets all guidelines. This process typically takes 2-5 days, though some campaigns may require up to a week for approval.

If all required information is provided correctly, approvals are usually quick. However, if any details are missing or incorrect, the back-and-forth communication may extend the process.

What is DCA?

A DCA (Direct Connectivity Agent or Direct Connect Aggregator) is a middleman that helps send text messages from platforms like TXTImpact to mobile carriers like Verizon. They have direct connections with carrier networks to ensure smooth message delivery.

Now, mobile carriers require DCAs to manually review campaigns to ensure they follow best practices. This vetting process comes with extra fees, and opt-ins (getting permission from recipients) are a key part of 10DLC regulations.

Note: The 10DLC registration process will not be considered successful unless the vetting is done properly, and your messages will not be delivered to recipients.

Now the main point is, how can you prove the opt-ins? Let's see what you can do for that.