If you plan to send SMS messages to recipients in the United States using Talkative, you must register for A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person, 10-Digit Long Code). This is a regulatory requirement set by U.S. mobile carriers to ensure that business messaging is transparent, secure, and compliant with anti-spam regulations.
A2P 10DLC registration allows businesses to send messages from local 10-digit numbers while maintaining high deliverability and avoiding carrier filtering or blocking.
For more background on A2P 10DLC, you can review this Twilio article:
Why A2P 10DLC Registration Is Important
Registering your SMS traffic is mandatory for all organisations sending messages to U.S. recipients. Without registration:
- Your SMS messages may be blocked or filtered by carriers.
- You may incur penalties or surcharges.
- Your phone numbers may become restricted from sending until properly registered.
Completing A2P 10DLC registration ensures:
- Higher message deliverability
- Better trust and transparency with carriers
- Compliance with U.S. messaging regulations
- A smoother onboarding and customer communication experience
To avoid delays, it is crucial to submit complete and accurate information.
What You Need to Do
Before registering for A2P 10DLC, you’ll need to speak to your Talkative Customer Success Manager (CSM) to ensure that SMS is included in your subscription. Once confirmed, you can complete the A2P 10DLC registration form.
The details below explain the information required in that form and provide guidance to help you complete each section accurately. Supplying clear and complete responses will significantly increase your chances of approval.
Guide to Completing the A2P 10DLC Registration Form
Below is an explanation of every field in the form, why it matters, and how to answer it confidently.
1. Phone Number Details
Do you have an existing number to transfer over?
Specify whether you want to use an existing SMS-capable number or have Talkative provide a new one.
- If transferring, your previous provider may require an authorization process.
Customer Contact Number
A number we can use to contact you if additional verification is needed.
2. Personal Information of Responsible Contact
These fields identify the person overseeing SMS communications for your business.
- First Name
- Last Name
- Job Position / Business Title
- Phone Number
- Email / Email Address
Make sure these details are real and reachable, carriers occasionally perform spot checks.
3. Business Identity (Critical for Approval)
These fields help verify your business identity. Incorrect or incomplete information is the most common reason for rejection.
Legal Business Name
Your official registered business name.
Must match exactly with government records.
Business Registration ID
Your Employer Identification Number (EIN), Business Number (BN), or country-equivalent registration number.
Business Registration ID Type
Select the type of ID you provided (e.g., EIN, Tax ID, BN).
Company Type
Indicates what kind of organization you are:
- Private Company
- Public Company
- Nonprofit
- Government Entity
- Sole Proprietor
Business Type
Describes your legal entity:
- LLC
- Corporation
- Partnership
- Limited Company
Business Industry
Select the industry closest to your operations. Carriers use this to classify your traffic.
Business URL / Website
Your official website. Used by carriers to verify legitimacy.
Is the business entity you’re registering located in the US and/or Canada?
Answer based on where your business is legally registered.
Business Regions of Operations
Where your business primarily operates (e.g., US only, US + Canada, International).
Are you a 527 Political Organization?
Required because political messaging has special regulatory requirements.
4. Business Address
This must match your official business registration.
- Business Street Address
- Business Street Address Line 2 (optional)
- Business City
- Business State / Province / Region
- Business Postal / ZIP Code
- Company Country
Carriers may cross-check this information.
5. SMS Campaign Details
Campaign Use Case
Select the option that best describes your SMS purpose, such as:
- Customer Care
- Account Notifications
- Marketing
- Appointment Reminders
- Delivery Updates
- 2FA/OTP
Your use case must align with your sample messages and opt-in method.
Campaign Description
Provide a clear, detailed explanation of why you send SMS messages.
Good examples:
- “We use SMS to communicate with customers who contact us for support.”
- “Sending order and delivery updates to customers who request them.”
- “Providing appointment reminders and confirmations.”
Avoid vague statements like “general messaging.”
6. Sample Messages
You must provide 2–3 realistic examples of messages you intend to send.
Sample Message #1 / #2 / #3
Guidelines:
- Use full, realistic messages (do not use placeholders like {{name}}).
- Include links or phone numbers only if your real messages will include them.
- Content must match your chosen use case.
Example:
“Thanks for contacting Example Corp. How can we assist you today?”
These are reviewed by carriers to understand your traffic.
7. Message Content Details
Message Contents
You’ll be asked to declare:
- Will messages contain links? Yes/No
- Will messages contain phone numbers? Yes/No
Your answers must match your sample messages.
8. End-User Consent & Compliance
This section is essential because carriers require clear and explicit opt-in.
How do end-users consent to receive messages? (40–2048 characters)
Describe exactly how users give permission for SMS communication. Include all opt-in paths:
Examples:
- Website form submissions
- Contact forms
- Checkout or account creation forms
- Checkbox consent
- Text-to-opt-in keywords (e.g., text “START” to opt in)
Avoid vague statements like “Users opt in when they contact us.”
9. Marketing Consent (if applicable)
If your SMS includes any promotional or marketing content, you must complete the following:
1. Do you explicitly opt users into mobile marketing communications?
Answer Yes for any marketing or promotional campaigns.
2. How do you explicitly opt users in?
Describe the exact marketing opt-in mechanism.
Example:
“Users opt in to receive marketing messages by ticking a checkbox during signup confirming they agree to receive promotional SMS from Example Brand.”
3. Do users have to accept the privacy policy before you use their details?
Carriers typically expect Yes.
4. Provide the URL to your privacy policy
Must be publicly accessible and outline how customer data is used.
10. Final Confirmation
I confirm this information is true…
You must certify that the information provided is accurate and that you are authorized to register messaging on behalf of your organization.
Tips for a Successful Registration
- Ensure your business name, EIN, and address match your official records exactly.
- Provide clear, complete descriptions for campaign use cases and opt-in flows.
- Make sure your sample messages align with your use case and message content answers.
- Confirm your privacy policy is accessible and includes SMS-related disclosures.
- Avoid using placeholders or incomplete messages.
Application Review & Possible Revisions
A2P 10DLC registrations are reviewed directly by U.S. carriers, and in some cases, applications may be rejected if the information provided is incomplete, unclear, or does not meet carrier requirements.
If this happens, Talkative will provide guidance on what needs to be corrected or updated. We’ll work with you to revise your submission so it meets compliance standards and can be successfully approved on resubmission.