All About A2P 10DLC Registration
All About A2P 10DLC Registration
A2P 10DLC is the US carrier system that governs business text messaging from standard 10-digit local numbers. Registration is mandatory — unregistered messages are blocked.
Why Registration Is Required
Since September 1, 2023, all SMS and MMS sent to US phone numbers from unregistered 10DLC numbers are fully blocked. This applies to all carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon).
Registration improves deliverability, increases throughput, and reduces carrier filtering.
How It Works
Registration has two steps:
1. Brand Registration
Identify your business to carrier networks. You provide:
- Legal company name (must match tax records).
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) for US companies. DUNS numbers are not accepted.
- Business address, website, and contact information.
- For international companies: valid tax ID from your country.
2. Campaign Registration
Specify your messaging use case. You provide:
- Campaign type (marketing, customer care, mixed, etc.).
- Sample messages that match your use case.
- Opt-in description (how customers consent to receive messages).
- Message flow description.
Trust Scores
The Campaign Registry assigns trust scores (Low, Medium, High) based on your brand information. Trust scores determine your messaging throughput:
| Trust Score | Typical Throughput |
|---|---|
| Low | ~0.2 msg/sec (75 msg/min) |
| Medium | ~10 msg/sec |
| High | Varies (highest tier) |
See Maximize Your Trust Score for tips on improving your rating.
Pricing
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Brand registration (one-time) | $44 (before Aug 1, 2025) / $46 (after) |
| Brand rejection (non-refundable) | $4.50 |
| Campaign registration (one-time, non-refundable) | $15 |
| Regular campaign (monthly) | $10/month |
| Low-volume mixed-use campaign (monthly) | $2/month |
FAQ
Q: Is EIN mandatory for US entities? Yes. DUNS numbers cause errors and result in unverified status.
Q: What if my brand registration fails? Check that your legal name matches your EIN records exactly. Common failures: name mismatch, invalid tax ID, address inconsistency.
Q: Does this apply to Puerto Rico? Yes — Puerto Rico uses US carrier infrastructure.
Q: Does this apply to Canada? No — Canada has separate messaging regulations.
Q: Are WhatsApp messages affected? No — WhatsApp uses internet transmission, not SMS/MMS.