Toll-Free Registration

Notice: Starting November 8, 2023, messages sent from Restricted (formerly “Unverified”) Toll-Free phone numbers will be blocked in the US.


Toll-free numbers were historically available for free without any registration requirements. To prevent spam and abuses, US carriers now demand that new numbers be officially assigned before they can ring for incoming calls. The carriers also require all existing toll-free numbers to be registered.

Who Should Register?

All toll-free numbers from the US/Canada should be registered. This ensures optimal daily sending limits and avoids potential filtering.

How will this help?

Once verified and approved by the carrier:

  • Number(s) will receive a "Verified" status.
  • Verified number has full access to A2P sending.
  • Significantly lower chances of message filtering for Toll-Free traffic on major US networks and some in Canada as long as you adhere to your stated use case and all applicable rules, such as Twilio's Messaging Policy.

What are the Sending Limits ?

Restricted/Unverified Status:
  • Daily: 500 message segments
  • Weekly: 1,000 message segments
  • Monthly: 2,000 message segments

Pending Verification Status:
  • Daily: 2,000 message segments
  • Weekly: 6,000 message segments
  • Monthly: 10,000 message segments

Approved:
  • Unlimited! But maintain a rate of 3 message segments per second.

Rejected:

  • SMS functionalities will be blocked.

How to Register?

  1. Go to the Manage Numbers page. Keep in mind you’ll experience verification delays if you omit any information.
  2. Click on Phone Numbers

Click on Phone Numbers

  1. Click on Number Info

Click on Number Info

  1. Click on Start Registration

Click on Start Registration

  1. Fill out the details here. Make sure all information matches your business' legal documents.

Click on Please Input

Click on Step 2/3 - Business location…

  1. Use Case Description example - We send appointment confirmations, message notifications, and offers for chiropractic adjustments to existing patients or new patients who have opted in to receive SMS notifications. The communications are sent via in-person POS, website forms, or webchat.
    1. Opt-In Description - End users opt in through a form on the website: https://www.abccompany.com/contact-us, via the website chat widget, and also through our POS system at our office, with consent language similar to that on our website.


  2. Message Content example- David, it's Kate from ABC Company. Thanks for opting in to receive SMS notifications. I just saved a time for you on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 4:00 PM, and I'll see you then! If anything changes, just let me know. If you need to opt out, reply STOP.

Click on Step 3/3 - Messaging use case…

  1. Opt-In Description - provide the URL Opt-in. The link you attached needs to reflect where customers consent to receive further messages from you.


    It has to reflect sms language and not have it hidden in the Privacy policy or terms and conditions.


    This is highly important to avoid any rejection from the carrier since they are asking for proof of opt-in. Two examples of the Opt-in here:

  1. You need to specifically put a disclaimer like - "By submitting this form, you consent to receive marketing and promotional SMS messages from [Your Company Name]. Message frequency may vary. Reply "STOP" to unsubscribe. Standard message and data rates may apply. Your information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy."

Once submitted to the telephony channel, the verification process can take 2-3 weeks to complete. During this time, your Phone Numbers are moved to a ‘In Review’ state that removes the messaging limits while we review your submission.


  1. In Review status - make sure all information are accurate.

NOTE: Due to the high demand for Toll-Free verification, some requests can take longer than the average given. We are working diligently to minimize the number of requests that are delayed. We kindly ask for your patience as we work through the many requests.


Need help registering your toll free number? Fill out the form here and our support team will help you submit your request.

A2P 10DLC number registration FAQs

What happens if I don’t register in time?

As of July 2023, all messages sent with unregistered 10DLC phone numbers are subject to gradual message blocking by Twilio.

There will be a full block of all unregistered US-bound messages sent after August 31, 2023. Your messages will bounce back error code (30034) and you will still be charged Twilio messaging rates.  Through August 31, 2023, unregistered messages successfully terminating onto carrier networks are subject to additional carrier fees for unregistered messages. 

Twilio is unable to extend the timeframe for customers who are unable to complete all three steps of the registration process by the deadline. This includes:

What alternatives do I have to registering my A2P 10DLC number?

As an alternative to A2P 10DLC, you can use other number types like short codesWhatsApp MessagingTwilio Verify API, and toll-free phone numbers. 

A lot of customers are seeing success with toll-free numbers because they can be used for any use case. They provide high-throughput SMS once verified and are voice enabled. And the verification process is handled by Twilio and usually takes less time than 10DLC approval. You can complete the toll-free verification via Console or API.

Why is the verification process taking a long time? Campaign registrations are taking longer because there’s a human review process conducted by Twilio and our external vetting partner to manually check all the information provided by senders, review, and approve it.
I’m sending SMS for personal projects or a small business - do I still need to register?

Yes. There is a Sole Proprietor use case for hobbyist/student developers and businesses without an EIN (Employer Identification Number or Federal Tax Identification number). It lets you register and send A2P 10DLC messaging on a limited basis: 

  • One campaign
  • One associated phone number
  • 1,000 msg/day. 15 msg/minute limit per campaign (T-Mobile)
Who approves the registration requests? Twilio works with external vetting partners to review and approve 10DLC brand and campaign registration requests.
I’m not sending messages from a US 10DLC number to US phone numbers. Do I still need to register? No. If you’re not sending messages to US phone numbers from a US 10-digit long code number, you don’t need to complete the registration process.
What’s the difference between registering as an ISV, direct brand, or sole proprietor?

You can read about the differences between direct brands, ISVs, and sole proprietors here. If you’re still not sure whether you should register as a direct customer or ISV, here are two key questions to consider:

  1. Who do your end users (message recipients) think they are receiving messages from? Are they interacting with your brand/company, or your client’s brand?
    • If your end users are aware of your brand and think of their interaction as happening between them and your company, you are probably a direct customer.
    • If your end users are not aware of your business, and they think they are interacting with your client directly, you are an ISV.
  2. How much control do your clients/users have over the contents of the messages that are sent via your platform?
    • If you do messaging on behalf of others, but it’s template-based messaging with little to no customization or control by your clients, you may still classify yourself as a direct customer.
    • If you give your clients the ability to send messages on their behalf (which end users would assume are originating from your client directly) then you are an ISV.
How much do I have to pay for the registration process?
  • Standard registration: $44 one-time brand registration, +$15 per campaign for a one-time campaign vetting fee, +$1.50-$10 per campaign per month. 

This applies to ISVs and brands that have a business tax ID (EIN), and send over 6,000 segments per day, and need high throughput. 

  • Low-volume standard registration: $4 one-time brand registration, +$15 per campaign for a one-time campaign vetting fee, +$1.50-$10 per campaign per month.

This applies to ISVs and brands that have a business tax ID (EIN), and send less than 6,000 segments per day, and need low throughput.

  • Sole proprietor: $4 one-time brand registration, +$15 per campaign for a one-time campaign vetting fee, +$2 per campaign per month.

This applies to ISVs, individuals, and small businesses that do not have a business tax ID (EIN) and send less than 1,000 messages per day (T-Mobile) on one phone number through one campaign.

Review the fees and learn more about campaign vetting or compare Low-volume standard, Standard, and Sole proprietor options.

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