1. Talkroute Support
  2. Tutorials
  3. Text Messaging

10DLC Campaign Registration

Index:

 

 

Intro and Quick Start

10DLC registration is an industry-wide requirement set by mobile carriers designed to reduce spam and ensure legitimate business messages reach customers. These rules apply to all providers—not just Talkroute—and affect any business using 10-digit numbers to send texts. The registration process links your business and texting use case to your number(s) to ensure compliance.

If you use a Talkroute number to send any texts—marketing, appointment reminders, or even just replies—you must register your texting use. Without it, your outgoing messages will be filtered or blocked.

⚡ Quick Start: What You Need to Know

  1. What is 10DLC? - 10DLC stands for "10-digit long code" and refers to a standard 10-digit phone number used by businesses for sending text messages. Businesses must register their brand and campaign information to use 10DLC numbers for sending text messages. 

  2. Why do I need to register? - Carriers now require businesses to register their texting use through The Campaign Registry (TCR). Filtering of unregistered messages began Feb 1, 2025. Without an approved registration, your outgoing messages will not be delivered.

  3. Who needs to register? - If you send or reply to texts using a Talkroute number—even just for one-on-one messages—you must register.

  4. What does it cost? - A one-time setup fee (based on your plan), a monthly campaign fee, and possible reprocessing fees if your registration is declined.

  5. How do I register? - Just fill out our registration form. We'll handle the rest and follow up if anything's missing and provide recommendations to meet compliance. Complete our 10DLC Registration Form here.

✅ Avoid Delays: Most Requested Compliance Items

These are some of the most common issues that cause delays or rejections during 10DLC registration. Our team manually reviews each registration before submission and will follow up if updates are needed—but checking these items now can speed things up.

👉 For a full breakdown of every form field and compliance requirement, visit our 10DLC Campaign Form Help article.

Website

A working website link is required for registration (except for some Sole Proprietor cases). Websites that are under construction, use default domain parking pages (e.g., GoDaddy, Wix), or are not secure (non-HTTPS) will be rejected.

Your website serves as public-facing proof that your business is legitimate. It helps carriers, regulators, and customers verify your business practices and messaging intent.

✅ Required Website Details:
  • Contact phone number
  • Company-branded email address (avoid personal emails like Gmail/Yahoo). If using a Gmail/Yahoo email, make sure your brand name is in it like, businessname@gmail.com.
  • Physical address (if you operate a brick-and-mortar location and if not, the areas you serve)

  • A Privacy Policy link must be accessible from every page of your website.

    • See the Privacy Policy section below for specific language and requirements.
✅ Acceptable Options:
  • A live website with your company name, services, and contact info
  • A one-page site with a Privacy Policy and SMS Disclosure
  • Free or low-cost website builders (e.g., Squarespace, Wix) are fine if properly set up

⚠️ Social Media Pages:

These may be accepted (especially for Sole Proprietors), but must show clear branding, contact info matching your form, and a compliant Privacy Policy + SMS Disclosure.

  • Use a company or professional page—not a personal profile
  • Ensure your ‘About’ section links to or contains compliance info
  • Established pages (having followers and posts) are more likely to be approved than new ones

📄 Profile Sites:

Sites like Doximity, Healthgrades, or professional directories (common in medical, legal, or logistics industries) may be accepted if they include—or link to—a compliant Privacy Policy and SMS Disclosure.

👤 Sole Proprietors:

A website may not be required for Sole Proprietors only if:

  • You have no established online presence
  • Your opt-in method does not involve your website or online content
    • If your business has any online presence or you collect consent through a website or page, both a website and Privacy Policy are required for compliance. 
Privacy Policy

As part of the 10DLC registration process, you must include a compliant Privacy Policy. This is required for registration and helps demonstrate that your messaging is transparent and follows industry standards.

✅ What to Include

Your Privacy Policy should be accessible through a link from any page on your website (typically linked under a menu bar or website footer) and clearly state:

  • You do not share or sell mobile numbers or personal info

  • How customers are opting in to receive text messages

  • How customers can opt out of receiving text messages

📋 Example Privacy Policy Language

Here’s a sample privacy policy that many Talkroute customers use. You can copy and customize this to fit your business:

Sharing of Personal Information:
We do not share, sell, or disclose your personal information or mobile opt-in data to third parties without your explicit consent, except where required by law. Your information is kept confidential and used solely for the purposes you have agreed to. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties. Text messaging opt-in data is not being shared with third parties.

Opting Out of Text Messages:
You have the right to opt out of receiving text messages from [Your Business Name] at any time. To opt out, you can reply "STOP" to any text message you receive from us.

Consent and Opt-In:
By providing your phone number and opting in to receive text messages, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy. We ensure that your consent is obtained explicitly and that you are informed about the types of messages you will receive.

If you do not already have a privacy policy in place, you can generate one using a free or paid privacy policy generator. Popular options include:


🌐 Have a Social Media Presence Instead?

You can still meet this requirement by posting your privacy policy:

  • In a pinned post on your Facebook or Instagram page

  • In the About section of your business profile

  • In a public Google Doc with a shareable link (accessible without requesting access)

Message Disclosure

The Message Disclosure (also called an SMS Disclosure or Consent Message) is a required statement that informs customers what they are agreeing to when they send or receive message with you.

It must be clearly visible anywhere someone is likely to text you or provide their phone number. This includes contact pages, online forms, promotional materials, email signatures, or anywhere your number is advertised with a call to action (e.g., “Call or Text Us”).

📋 Sample Message Disclosure

Here’s a sample disclosure that may be found under a website contact form. You can copy and customize this to fit your business:

By submitting this form (or By checking this box / By selecting "I agree" / By messaging us), you agree to receive text messages at the provided number from [Your Business Name]. Message frequency varies, and standard message and data rates may apply. You have the right to OPT-OUT of receiving messages at any time. To OPT-OUT, reply "STOP" to any text message you receive from us. Reply HELP for assistance.

✅ Where to Display the Disclosure:

  • Online contact forms where phone numbers are collected
  • Pages that advertise your number with “Text us” or similar call-to-actions
  • Paper forms used for signups or contact collection
  • Scripts used for verbal opt-ins (e.g., over the phone or in person)

💡 Your disclosure should be located directly next to the phone number field or call-to-action. Make sure it’s clear, easy to read, and not buried in fine print.

 

 

FAQs
I already have active texting on my local numbers. Am I affected by this change?
Yes. All local Talkroute numbers must have an approved 10DLC campaign registration in order to send outgoing messages. This applies even if you're only replying to customers or using the number for personal or conversational use.

If you’re currently sending texts and they are being delivered, your number is likely already registered. However, we still recommend checking with our support team to confirm your registration status.
Do I need to register if I’m only replying to incoming messages?
Yes. Even replies are considered outbound texts. All local Talkroute numbers are A2P (Application-to-Person), and any outbound message—regardless of whether it starts the conversation—requires registration.
What if I only receive messages and never respond?
If you’re truly only receiving messages and never sending or replying to them, then you do not need to register. However, if you ever plan to send any outbound message, registration is required.
I’m not sending marketing—just appointment reminders and support texts. Do I still need to register?
Yes. If you’re sending any outgoing texts from your Talkroute number—even one-on-one replies or informational messages like appointment reminders—you must complete a 10DLC campaign registration. This requirement applies regardless of message type.
My numbers were registered through my prior provider. Do I need register again with Talkroute?
Yes. 10DLC campaigns do not carry over when you port your number to Talkroute. You’ll need to complete a new campaign registration through Talkroute to continue sending texts. This ensures your number is properly linked and compliant within our system.
What if I don't want to go through the registration process?
Without an approved campaign registration, you won’t be able to send outgoing texts from your local number. Carriers block unregistered numbers from sending messages—even one-on-one replies. Only incoming texts will be received. This is a carrier-enforced requirement that applies to all providers, not just Talkroute. Both local and toll-free numbers require registration to send messages.

⚠️ Note for Canadian Numbers: If you're only texting Canadian numbers from a Canada-based Talkroute number, your messages will still go through without 10DLC registration—for now. If you're texting U.S. numbers, registration is required.
I use Talkroute for personal text messages, do I still need to register?
Yes. All local Talkroute numbers are treated as Application-to-Person (A2P), even if you’re just using the number for personal conversations or non-commercial use.

If you want to send or reply to texts using a Talkroute local number, 10DLC registration is required—regardless of whether the messages are for a business or personal purpose. This is a carrier-enforced requirement.

Note: If you’re not operating as a formal business, you may qualify for a Sole Proprietor campaign, which has fewer requirements. Our team can help you determine if this applies to your situation.
Can I use a toll-free number instead?
Yes, Talkroute offers toll-free numbers, which follow a separate (free) verification process. If you prefer to use a toll-free number instead of a local one, contact our support team and we’ll help you switch and start the verification.
Do I need a website or privacy policy?
Yes. A working website and a compliant privacy policy are required for most registrations. The website must show basic business information, and your privacy policy must state that you do not sell or share customer data and include opt-in language. If you don’t have these yet, see the Website and Privacy Policy dropdowns under the Quick Start section for help.
What if I don't have a website?
A website is strongly encouraged, and in most cases required. However, if you're a Sole Proprietor and your opt-in method does not involve a web presence, you may not need one. If you use a social media business page instead, it must clearly show your business name, a compliant privacy policy, and SMS disclosure. Otherwise, we recommend creating a simple one-page site with basic info.
How long does the registration process take?
Once you submit your completed form, our team will review it and contact you if anything is missing or needs adjustment. After we submit your campaign to The Campaign Registry, approval typically takes a few business days to a week. However, it may take up to a few weeks—especially if your campaign is declined and needs to be corrected and resubmitted, or if you're registering multiple numbers or have a special use case. Each registration varies based on business type, message content, and volume.
Will texting work during the registration process?
No. Carriers began filtering messages from unregistered numbers on February 1, 2025. Outgoing messages won’t be delivered until your campaign is approved.
What if I have more than one number I wish to text with?
You can include multiple numbers on the same form—as long as they’re all for the same business and use case. If each number is for a different brand or messaging purpose, you’ll need to submit a separate form for each. Each registration is treated as a separate campaign and may be subject to additional fees.

Note: Sole Proprietor campaigns are limited to one phone number.
What if I submit my form but something’s wrong or missing?
Don’t worry. Our team manually reviews all submitted forms before anything is sent to The Campaign Registry. If anything is incomplete, unclear, or noncompliant, we’ll email you with recommendations before we move forward. However, we still recommend reviewing the 10DLC Campaign Form Help article to avoid delays.

 

 

Who Needs to Register?

If you use a Talkroute local number to send or reply to texts, you must register. This applies to all outgoing messages—whether it’s a marketing campaign, an appointment reminder, or a one-on-one reply.

If you’re a current customer, your number must be linked to an approved 10DLC campaign to avoid message filtering or blocks.

If you’re a new customer, you’ll need to complete registration before you can begin sending texts from a local number.

Even if you’re only using texting for support or basic conversation, registration is still required. All Talkroute local numbers are provisioned as A2P (Application-to-Person), which means any outgoing text—regardless of content—must be part of a registered campaign.

Canadian Customers: If you are using a Canada-based Talkroute number to send messages to Canadian recipients only, registration is not currently required. However, registration is required if you send messages to U.S. numbers. We recommend completing the 10DLC registration to avoid future disruptions as regulations may change.

✅ Not sending any texts?
If you’re only receiving text messages through your Talkroute number—and you don’t send or reply—you do not need to register.

💡 Using a toll-free number instead?
Toll-free numbers follow a separate verification process. If you're unsure whether you need 10DLC or TFN verification, contact our support team and we’ll help you confirm.

 

 

Pricing

10DLC registration includes a few required fees—some are one-time setup charges, while others are monthly. These fees are set by mobile carriers and The Campaign Registry, not Talkroute.

We pre-review your registration form and website before submission to help avoid common mistakes that could result in reprocessing fees.

Some Talkroute plans include these registration costs. To see what registration fees are included in your plan, visit the Text Messaging area under our Pricing Page or contact support.

🧾 Potential Fees

  • Brand Registration – $4 per attempt
    This is a one-time fee to register your business (brand). If your submission is rejected and needs to be resubmitted, the fee applies again.

  • Campaign Vetting – $15 per attempt
    Your campaign must be reviewed for compliance by the messaging registry before approval. This fee only applies if the campaign is submitted to the registry. We review everything beforehand to reduce the chance of a rejection.

  • Monthly Campaign Fee – starts at $1.50/month
    This keeps your campaign active with carriers. The cost may vary depending on the campaign type.

  • Number Pooling Fee – varies
    If you're registering more than 49 numbers under one campaign, a pooling fee may apply. Contact us for details.

💡 Not sure what applies to you?
You may not need to pay anything out of pocket—some plans include registration fees! And if you do, we’ll help you avoid repeat charges by reviewing your form before it’s submitted to The Campaign Registry.

Included Brand and Campaign registration fees apply to the first submission only. If a registration is rejected and resubmitted—or if additional brands or campaigns are submitted—additional fees will apply.

Toll-free numbers follow a separate (free) verification process.

 

 

What do I need to do?

📝 Fill Out the Registration Form

Complete the Talkroute 10DLC Campaign Registration Form to provide details about your business and how you plan to use texting.

We’ll review your info, follow up if anything’s missing, and submit your application to The Campaign Registry (TCR) for approval.

Once your registration has been processed by our team and submitted to TCR, approval times can range from a few business days up to a few weeks.

Need help with the form? Check out our 10DLC Campaign Form Help article for tips and a full breakdown of each section.

📋 What You’ll Need to Provide

  • Company Info
    Business name, address, website, organization type, and EIN (not required for Sole Proprietors)

  • Contact Person
    Name, email, and phone number for someone we can contact about the registration

  • Phone Numbers & Use Case
    Which numbers you're registering, estimated monthly text volume, usage category, sample messages, and a call-to-action

  • Compliance Questions
    Info about links, phone numbers in messages, loans/lending, or age-gated content

  • Opt-In Documentation
    Show how you collect permission from customers before texting them

📷 Submitting Opt-In Proof (Included in the Form)

As part of the registration form, you’ll be asked to provide proof of how customers opt in to receive your text messages.

Not having a clear opt-in process is one of the most common reasons campaigns are rejected. Be sure to include clear, specific opt-in examples when you submit your form.

If you collect consent in multiple ways, include examples of each. All opt-ins must come directly from the customer—not from third-party lists or partners.

Common Opt-In Examples (Attach Screenshots or Links):

  • Contact Form – A page where users check a box agreeing to receive texts

  • Website or Ads – A spot where your number is listed with “Call or text us” language

  • Keyword Opt-In – A form or ad showing customers how to text a keyword to join

  • Paper Form – A scanned form showing opt-in language and customer consent

Other Opt-In Methods:

  • Point of Sale (POS) – In-store screen/form where customers agree to receive texts

  • Phone/IVR Approval – A script and documentation showing how verbal consent is given and logged

💡 Not Sure What to Provide? Visit our Opt-In Examples here


✅ What Happens After I Submit?

  • We manually review your form to check for missing info or compliance issues

  • If anything needs to be updated, we’ll email you with guidance

  • Once everything looks good, we’ll submit it to The Campaign Registry and process any required fees for your account

  • You’ll receive updates by email as your registration progresses

 

 

Prohibited Use Cases & Message Types

Verification does not guarantee that your messages will not be blocked. Your number will not be whitelisted with an approved registration. To avoid having your messages blocked, it is important to follow best practices and avoid any improper uses. However, as long as the traffic you send matches what your verification application says and does not violate any prohibited use cases, your risk of receiving a block is low. 


❌ Prohibited Use Cases for 10DLC Messaging includes (but not limited to):

High-Risk Financial Services

  • Payday loans
  • Short-term, high-interest loans
  • Loan advertisements (third-party)
  • Student or Auto loans
  • Debt collection (third-party)
  • Gambling
  • Bingo (promotional)
  • Stock alerts
  • Cryptocurrency

Get-Rich-Quick Schemes

  • Deceptive work-from-home programs
  • Risk investment opportunities
  • Multi-level marketing (MLM)

Job Postings

  • Job boards (third-party)

Third-Party Debt or Financial Services

  • Debt consolidation
  • Debt reduction
  • Credit repair programs
  • Lead generation (third-party or shared/purchased lists)

Illegal or Restricted Substances

  • Cannabis / CBD / synthetic cannabinoids
  • Kratom
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • Schedule I–IV drugs (except CBC-approved prescriptions)
  • Tobacco (without proper age gate)
  • Vaping (without proper age gate)

SHAFT Content

  • Sexually explicit content / pornography
  • Hate speech
  • Alcohol (without age gate)
  • Firearms and Ammunition
  • Tobacco (without age gate)

Other Restricted or Prohibited

  • Phishing
  • Profanity
  • Gambling (U.S./Canada)
  • Raffles / sweepstakes
  • Fraud or scams
  • Deceptive marketing
  • Affiliate marketing (unapproved)
  • Political messaging using voter registration databases



All age-restricted content (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, vape, firearms) is blocked on all number types in Canada—including 10DLC and Toll-Free.

These prohibited use cases are separate from Talkroute's own use policies. All Talkroute usage is subject to our reasonable use policy. For more information, please visit the Talkroute Terms and Conditions Page.

If you have completed verification and you believe your messages are getting blocked, please contact us at support@talkroute.com. We can work with our partners to get the verification details to the carrier and ask for the block to be removed.

 

 

Messaging Best Practices (CTIA Guidelines)

The CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) sets the messaging standards carriers use to filter spam and ensure trust in business texting. Following these best practices helps keep your campaign compliant and your messages reaching customers.

Key Guidelines

1. Consent
You must get clear permission from customers before texting. Consent can be collected through online forms with a checkbox, keyword opt-ins (like “Text JOIN to...”), or verbal approval (if documented). Customers should know what kinds of messages they’ll get and how often.

2. Opt-Out
All messages must include clear unsubscribe instructions. Customers should be able to reply STOP to opt out and HELP for support.

3. Message Content
Your messages must be clear, relevant, and truthful. Avoid spammy formatting (like excessive all-caps or punctuation) and stick to the purpose and tone of your approved campaign.

4. Frequency
Only send messages as often as your customer agreed to. Disclose expected frequency, such as “1–2 messages per week” or “Message frequency may vary.”

5. Sender Identification
Make sure your messages clearly show who they’re from—include your business name or brand in the message.

6. Legal Compliance
You must follow all applicable laws, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which regulates marketing and automated text messages.


💡 For more, see the CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices.

 

 

Penalties for Violations

Mobile carriers—particularly T-Mobile—have strict rules around business texting. Each of these violations are designed to enforce compliance with regulations that protect both consumers and the integrity of the messaging ecosystem. Ensuring that all messaging practices are compliant with 10DLC guidelines is crucial to avoid these significant penalties​.

💡 Carriers currently filter out outgoing messages on unregistered local numbers, helping protect your business from many of these violations. However, once your campaign is approved, it's up to you to stay compliant.

Talkroute is not responsible for any fines incurred from messaging violations. The fees listed below are set and enforced by the mobile carriers.

 

Common Violations and Fines

Violation What It Means Fine
Text Enablement Violation Sending texts from a number before it's properly registered and verified. $10,000
Grey Route Messaging Trying to send texts through unauthorized or unapproved routes. $10 per message
Program Evasion Attempting to bypass 10DLC rules (e.g., spreading messages across numbers to avoid limits). $1,000 per violation
Content Violation
(3rd strike)		 Repeatedly sending prohibited content (e.g., banned topics like CBD or debt). $10,000 per violation
(after 3rd warning)
Tier 1 Content Violation Phishing, smishing, social engineering $2,000 per violation
Tier 2 Content Violation Illegal content (not legal federally and in all 50 states) $1,000 per violation
Tier 3 Content Violation Other violations (e.g., SHAFT content) $500 per violation



🛡️ How to Stay Safe

  • Don’t send any texts until your campaign is fully approved.

  • Make sure your campaign content matches your actual use.

  • Avoid all prohibited topics (see Prohibited Use Cases).

  • Always get consent and follow opt-in/opt-out rules.

  • If in doubt, contact Talkroute Support before sending messages.

 

 

📘 Terms to Know

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) - A standard local phone number approved for business texting. It supports higher volume and better deliverability than regular personal numbers.

A2P (Application-to-Person) - Text messages sent from a business or software (like Talkroute) to a person. All texts sent from Talkroute numbers are considered A2P.

P2P (Person-to-Person) - Messages between two individuals using personal cell phones. These are not subject to 10DLC rules—but Talkroute numbers are not considered P2P.

The Campaign Registry (TCR) - The third-party organization carriers use to manage 10DLC campaign registrations. Talkroute submits your campaign to TCR on your behalf.

Brand - Your business identity—this includes your company name, tax ID, and public website. It’s used to verify who is sending the messages.

Campaign - Your approved texting use case. A campaign includes sample messages, opt-in methods, and what kind of content you’ll be sending.

Opt-In - The customer’s permission to receive text messages from your business. You must collect clear and direct consent before texting.

Opt-Out - The option for customers to stop receiving messages. Commonly done by replying “STOP.”

SHAFT - An industry acronym for prohibited content: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco.

 

 

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 0 found this helpful

Articles in this section