10DLC registration verifies your business number and the use cases for which you message your customers as legitimate, so mobile carriers know you are not a spammer. The Campaign Registry and the telcos vet this information. 

Unregistered messages with typical business-to-consumer (B2C) patterns, such as texts containing URLs and high-volume broadcasts, risk being flagged by carriers, which can damage deliverability rates. Registering a brand and campaign with 10DLC ensures carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile guarantee high deliverability rates for B2C messaging. Think of it like TSA Pre-check or Clear for texting.

What You'll Need Before Starting

Before beginning your 10DLC registration, make sure you have the following information ready:

  • Business Information: Legal business name, EIN (Employer Identification Number), business address, and business type
    • If you do not have an EIN, you can only use a toll-free number. Submit a ticket, and we will assist you in setting it up. 
  • Contact Information: Primary contact name, email, and phone number
  • Campaign Details: An idea of how you plan to use SMS messaging and sample message content
  • Website: A live website URL that clearly represents your business
    • IMPORTANT NOTE: Although a website is not strictly required, the TCR manually checks for any digital presence online; therefore, we highly recommend having one rather than just a simple social media page.

Step 1: Register Your Business

The first step in the 10DLC approval process is registering your business with The Campaign Registry (TCR).

  1. Access the Registration Portal: Log in to your Convos account and navigate to the 10DLC registration section. 
  2. Enter Business Details: Provide your complete business information, including legal name, EIN, and business address.
  3. Verify Business Information: Ensure all information matches your official business documents exactly, as discrepancies can cause delays or rejections.
  4. Submit for Review: Once you've entered all required information, click “Continue” to proceed with registering your use cases.

Step 2: Register Your Use Cases

After your business is approved, we will register a campaign that describes how you'll use SMS messaging.

  1. Select Campaign Type: Choose the use case that best describes your messaging purpose (e.g., Customer Care, Marketing, Account Notifications, etc.) to automatically fill in the campaign description.
  2. Include Sample Messages: Default examples of the types of messages you'll send to customers have been added. Edit them as applicable to your business.
  3. Add Opt-in/Opt-out Information:Select how customers will consent to receive messages to automatically fill in the consent description.
    • We highly recommend using a website consent form for faster approval. To ensure your consent form will get approved, follow these requirements.
  4. Privacy Policy & Terms of Use:Add links to your disclaimer pages. If you don’t have one or don’t have the right disclosures, follow the articles below:
  5. Submit Campaign: Review all information carefully and submit your campaign for approval.

Step 3: Await Carrier Approval

Once both your business and campaign are registered, the TCR will review and approve your registration.

  • You'll receive email notifications at each stage of the approval process
  • Approval timelines can vary from 5 business days to several weeks. The fastest way to obtain approval is to ensure that all the necessary requirements are in place (see linked articles above).
  • If additional information is needed, we will contact you via email with specific instructions
  • If you receive a notification of rejection, please contact us so we can assist you in resubmitting it.

Step 4: Begin Sending Messages

Once you receive final approval, you're ready to start using Convos for text messaging!

  • Your 10DLC number will be activated and ready to use
  • You can begin sending messages according to your approved campaign
  • Make sure to follow best practices for SMS compliance and customer engagement

Common Reasons for Rejection

To help ensure a smooth approval process, avoid these common issues:

  • Incomplete or Inaccurate Business Information: Double-check that all business details match your official records (e.g., EIN assignment letter)
  • Missing Website or Non-functional Links: Ensure your website is live and has the correct disclaimers.
  • Unclear Opt-in/Opt-out Processes: Clearly explain how customers consent and how they can unsubscribe from these processes. The fastest way to show consent is through a website opt-in form.
  • Sample Messages Don't Match Campaign Type: Make sure your examples align with each stated use case you selected.

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during the 10DLC registration process or have questions about your application status, submit a ticket, and we’re here to help!