10DLC Registration Guide: How to Register Your Brand and Campaign (2025)

10DLC registration is the mandatory process for verifying your business and messaging campaigns with The Campaign Registry (TCR) to send Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS in the United States. Since February 1, 2025, US carriers block all unregistered traffic, making registration essential for business SMS operations. This comprehensive guide walks you through brand and campaign registration, TCR vetting requirements, trust score optimization, carrier approval timelines, and TCPA compliance best practices to ensure your business SMS messaging meets all carrier requirements.

What is 10DLC and Why is Registration Required?

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is the industry standard for Application-to-Person (A2P) business messaging in the United States. It allows businesses to send SMS messages using standard 10-digit phone numbers, offering significant advantages over traditional long codes and short codes. Key benefits include:

• Improved Deliverability: Carriers prioritize 10DLC messages over unregistered long code traffic, leading to higher delivery rates and reduced filtering.
• Enhanced Brand Reputation: Registering your brand and campaigns builds trust with carriers and customers, reducing the likelihood of your messages being flagged as spam.
• Scalability: 10DLC supports higher throughput than traditional long codes, enabling you to send more messages faster.
• Cost-Effectiveness: 10DLC offers a balance between the affordability of long codes and the performance of short codes.
• Regulatory Compliance: As of February 1, 2025, US carriers block all unregistered 10DLC traffic. Registration is mandatory to send A2P messages.

Understanding the 10DLC Ecosystem: Key Players

Several key players interact within the 10DLC ecosystem:

• Brands: Businesses sending A2P messages.
• CSPs (Communication Service Providers): Platforms like Telnyx, Twilio, Bandwidth, etc., that provide messaging APIs and infrastructure.
• DCAs (Direct Connect Aggregators): Entities that connect CSPs to MNOs.
• MNOs (Mobile Network Operators): Wireless carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
• TCR (The Campaign Registry): The central hub for registering and vetting 10DLC brands and campaigns.

How to Register for 10DLC: Step-by-Step Registration Process

The 10DLC registration process with The Campaign Registry (TCR) involves two main steps: Brand Registration and Campaign Registration. Brand registration typically takes minutes to 2 business days, while campaign registration takes 3–7 business days. Start early – rejected submissions require additional time for corrections and resubmission.

Step 1: Brand Registration Requirements

This step verifies your business identity with TCR. You'll need to provide the following information:

• Legal Company Name: The official, registered name of your business.
• EIN/Tax ID: Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
• Business Address: The physical address of your business.
• Website: Your company's official website (or business Facebook page for organizations without websites).
• Organization Type: (e.g., private, publicly traded, non-profit).

Registration Fees: Brand registration requires a one-time vetting fee of $15. If your brand registration is rejected and requires resubmission, you'll pay this fee again for each vetting attempt.

Timeline: Brand registration typically takes minutes to 2 business days when information is accurate and matches IRS records.

Best Practice: Ensure the information you provide is accurate and consistent with official records. This will expedite the verification process and contribute to a higher trust score.

Understanding 10DLC Trust Scores: How They Impact Throughput

After brand registration, TCR assigns a trust score (0–100) to your brand. This score reflects your business reputation and directly impacts messaging throughput, daily message limits, and carrier fees. Higher trust scores unlock better deliverability and lower costs. Factors influencing the score include:

• Company Size: Larger companies with higher employee count and revenue generally receive higher trust scores, as they're perceived as more established and reputable.
• Business Longevity: Companies with longer operating histories typically receive higher scores, as longevity indicates reliability.
• Domain Age: Older website domains are viewed as more trustworthy by carriers.
• Business Registration Verification: Confirmation of your business's legal existence through independent verification sources.
• Industry Type: Certain industries (e.g., cannabis, firearms, debt collection) face stricter scrutiny.
• History of Spam Complaints: A history of spam complaints can negatively impact your score.

Russell 3000 Exemption: Companies listed on the Russell 3000 index are considered prevetted and automatically receive the highest messaging classes/tiers with maximum throughput. They're exempt from additional vetting requirements and don't pay the $40 vetting fee. Russell 3000 brands automatically receive:

• AT&T Class A or B (highest throughput)
• T-Mobile Tier TOP (highest throughput)

Optimization Tip: Maintaining a clean sending reputation and adhering to best practices will help you achieve a high trust score. A trust score of 90+ is excellent; 70+ is good; 50 or below is poor.

Step 2: Campaign Registration Requirements

This step registers the specific use cases for your messaging campaigns. You'll need to provide:

• Campaign Description: A clear and concise explanation of the purpose of your campaign.
• Use Case: Select the appropriate standard use case from the list provided by TCR (see below).
• Sample Messages: Examples of the messages you'll be sending.
• Opt-in Method: How you obtain consent from recipients to receive messages. This is crucial for compliance.
• Links to SMS Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions: Public-facing documentation explaining how customer data is used and how recipients can opt out. Note: Carriers will reject campaigns if policies state you sell customer data to third parties.
• Reseller ID (Required for 2025): If you're registering a campaign on behalf of another legal entity, you must include a reseller ID. This is strictly enforced and cannot be changed after registration.

Campaign Vetting Fee: Carriers charge $30 per quarter for campaign registration (not a one-time fee). This applies to each active campaign.

Timeline: Standard campaign registration typically takes 3–7 business days when all information is complete and accurate.

Critical Compliance Note: You must be able to demonstrate proof of opt-in for all recipients. Clearly documented opt-in methods are essential for campaign approval and avoiding carrier penalties.

Vetting Process: Similar to brand vetting, campaigns also undergo a vetting process. DCAs play a role in this process, reviewing your campaign details and opt-in methods. The outcome can be:

• Automatic Approval: Standard use cases are generally approved immediately after registration for qualified brands.
• Manual Review: If automated vetting fails or you're registering a special use case, your campaign may be subject to manual review, which can take longer.

External Vetting for Higher Throughput: Brands seeking higher trust scores and throughput can pursue third-party vetting for a $40 fee per successful vet ($5 if unsuccessful or unscored).

Pro Tip: Provide comprehensive and accurate information during campaign registration to avoid manual review and delays.

What Are 10DLC Campaign Use Cases? Complete List

TCR provides a list of standard use cases to categorize your messaging campaigns. Choosing the correct campaign use case is essential for proper vetting and carrier approval.

Standard Use Cases

Standard 10DLC campaign use cases include:

• 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication): Passcodes used for authentication, verification, or access validation.
• Account Notifications: Standard notifications for account holders relating to their account status, changes, or activity.
• Customer Care: All customer care interactions, such as account management and customer support.
• Delivery Notifications: Notifications of delivery status for a product or service (shipping or fulfillment alerts).
• Fraud Alert Messaging: Notifications concerning potential fraudulent or suspicious activity in a customer's account.
• Higher Education: Messaging on behalf of colleges, universities, school districts, and educational institutions.
• Marketing: Promotional content, commercial sales messages, and marketing offers.
• Mixed: A combination of 2–5 standard use cases (e.g., marketing + appointment reminders).
• Polling and Voting (Non-Political): The sending of surveys, polling, or voting campaigns for non-political purposes.
• Public Service Announcement: Non-commercial, awareness-based messaging.
• Security Alerts: Notifications about potential system or physical security risks.

Special Use Cases

Special use cases may qualify for increased messaging throughput or reduced carrier fees but require additional documentation, verification, or pre-qualification. These include:

• Charity / 501(c)(3) Nonprofit: For registered nonprofit organizations conducting charitable outreach. Requires IRS nonprofit verification.
• Emergency Services: Used by government agencies to deliver urgent safety or emergency messages. Strictly limited to messages designed to support public safety/health during natural disasters, armed conflicts, pandemics, and other national or regional emergencies.
• Political: For political messaging from 527 political organizations, campaigns, parties, and PACs. Requires verification through Campaign Verify ($95 one-time fee per entity per two-year election cycle) to unlock increased messaging limits. Without Campaign Verify registration, 527 organizations receive the lowest tier of messaging limits and cannot use the Political Special Use Case.
• K-12 Education: Campaign messages must either be sent directly by a K-12 educational institution or provided as part of a free service offering for K-12 institutions.
• Agents and Franchises / Local Branches: Maximum of 5,000 numbers per campaign. If you have more than 5,000 agents or business locations, register additional campaigns of this type.
• Sole Proprietor: For individual business owners operating without a formal business entity.

Low-Volume Use Cases

• Low Volume Mixed: Intended for businesses with lighter SMS needs (supports marketing, customer care, and notifications). Comes with lower monthly fees but is locked to the lowest available throughput tier regardless of brand trust score. Ideal for small businesses or organizations without high-volume messaging requirements.

Important: You cannot change your use case after approval. To change your use case, you'll need to register a new campaign with updated details.

AT&T and T-Mobile Throughput Limits: Understanding Messaging Classes and Tiers

Each MNO (Mobile Network Operator) assigns a class or tier to your brand based on your trust score and other factors. This determines your messaging throughput and daily limits.

AT&T Messaging Classes:

• AT&T sets throughput based on campaign
• Classes range from A (highest throughput) to F (lowest throughput)
• Each campaign's throughput is determined by its "Message Class" (a score determined by use case and trust score)
• Unvetted brands typically receive Class E or F

T-Mobile Messaging Tiers:

• T-Mobile sets throughput based on brand
• Tiers range from TOP (highest throughput) to LOW (lowest throughput)
• Each brand has a daily message allowance ranging from 2,000 to 200,000 messages per day
• Unvetted brands typically receive Tier LOW

Default Throughput for Unvetted Companies:

• AT&T: 75 message parts per minute
• T-Mobile: 2,000 messages per day

Authentication+ and Brand Security Requirements

As of October 17, 2024, TCR requires Authentication+ for public, for-profit brands. This involves verifying the identity of a brand representative using a business email address and two-factor authentication. This enhances security and prevents brand impersonation.

Auth+ 2.0 (Effective August 7, 2025): TCR introduced Auth+ 2.0, which separates the basic identity check from the 2FA verification step. Key requirements:

• Any Public-Profit brand registered before October 17, 2024, with at least one active campaign must complete Auth+ 2.0 by October 30, 2025. After this deadline, brands will not be able to create new campaigns, and 10DLC messaging traffic may be suspended.
• All new Public-Profit brands registering from August 7, 2025, must complete Auth+ vetting (mandatory and fee-based at $12.50 per brand, effective August 1, 2025).
• Auth+ is automatically triggered once a brand's identity status becomes Verified.
• Status becomes Active after an authorized employee completes the 2FA process.
• The initial verification email expires in 7 days. CSPs can resend verification up to 30 days from registration before the brand must be resubmitted.

TCPA Compliance for 10DLC: Prior Express Written Consent Requirements

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) governs A2P messaging. You must obtain prior express written consent from recipients before sending marketing messages.

Prior Express Written Consent Requirements:

• Written agreement (can be obtained via email, text, website form, keypad touch, or voice recording)
• Signed by the person receiving messages (signature may be electronic or digital)
• Clear and conspicuous disclosure that specifically authorizes you to send telemarketing communications
• Must include the specific telephone number that may be contacted
• Must state that consent is not required as a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services

Recent Regulatory Changes:

• January 27, 2025: On January 24, 2025, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the FCC's one-to-one consent rule in Insurance Marketing Coalition v. FCC, No. 24-10277 (11th Cir. Jan. 24, 2025), just three days before it was set to take effect. The court found the rule exceeded the FCC's statutory authority under the TCPA, reasoning that "prior express consent" under the statute does not permit the FCC to impose additional restrictions beyond clear and unmistakable consent. The FCC has postponed the effective date to January 26, 2026, or until a court decision, whichever is sooner. As of now, there is no federal requirement that consent must be given to just one specific seller per form or interaction. Consent can cover multiple sellers – provided it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed.
• April 11, 2025: The "Opt-Out Rule" takes effect, allowing consumers to revoke prior express consent "in any reasonable manner." You can no longer specify an exclusive means for consumers to revoke consent.

Penalties: The TCPA provides for a private right of action with statutory damages of $500–$1,500 per violation, per class member, with no requirement to prove actual injury.

What Content is Prohibited in 10DLC Messaging?

The following content is prohibited or restricted in 10DLC messaging:

• SHAFT Content: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco
• Debt collection or third-party lead generation
• Loan or credit repair offers
• Illegal substances or deceptive claims
• Cannabis (faces stricter scrutiny even in legal states)

Campaigns with prohibited content will be blocked or rejected by carriers.

10DLC Registration Best Practices for Fast Approval

• Maintain Accurate Records: Keep detailed records of your brand and campaign registrations, opt-in methods, and messaging activity.
• Always Collect Opt-ins: Only text contacts who have explicitly opted in to receive messages.
• Include Opt-out Instructions: Make sure to include a clear way to unsubscribe, such as "Reply STOP to opt out."
• Monitor Performance: Track your delivery rates, opt-out rates, and carrier feedback to identify and address any issues.
• Stick to Business Hours: Send texts during standard hours to reduce complaints and stay compliant.
• Don't Text Until Registration is Complete: Unregistered traffic is blocked by carriers as of February 1, 2025.
• Stay Updated: 10DLC regulations are subject to change. Stay informed about updates from your CSP and TCR.
• Provide Comprehensive Campaign Information: Submit detailed, accurate information during registration to avoid manual review and delays.
• Consult with Experts: If you have complex messaging needs or require assistance with registration, consider consulting with a 10DLC expert.

Frequently Asked Questions About 10DLC Registration

How long does 10DLC registration take?

Brand registration typically takes minutes to 2 business days when information is accurate and matches IRS records. Standard campaign registration takes 3–7 business days when all information is complete. Plan for up to 2 weeks total for straightforward registrations. Rejected submissions require additional time for corrections and resubmission, so start early and ensure accuracy.

What happens if I don't register my 10DLC number?

As of February 1, 2025, US carriers block all unregistered 10DLC traffic. Your text messages will not be delivered, and your business SMS campaigns will experience complete service disruption.

Can I change my campaign use case after approval?

No. You cannot change your use case after approval. To change your use case, you'll need to register a new campaign with updated details and sample messages.

What is the difference between brand registration and campaign registration?

Brand registration verifies your business identity with TCR and assigns you a trust score. Campaign registration specifies the use cases and purposes for your messaging campaigns. Both are required for 10DLC compliance.

Do Russell 3000 companies need to complete vetting?

No. Companies listed on the Russell 3000 index are considered prevetted and automatically receive the highest messaging throughput from AT&T (Class A/B) and T-Mobile (Tier TOP) without paying the $40 vetting fee.

How much does 10DLC registration cost?

Brand registration requires a one-time vetting fee of $15. Campaign vetting costs $30 per quarter for each active campaign. External third-party vetting for higher throughput costs $40 per successful vet. Authentication+ (Auth+ 2.0) costs $12.50 per brand for public-profit brands registered from August 1, 2025. Political campaigns require Campaign Verify registration ($95 per two-year cycle).

What trust score do I need for good message throughput?

A trust score of 90+ is excellent and provides the highest throughput. Scores of 70+ are good and provide solid throughput. Scores of 50 or below are poor and result in limited throughput. Carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile use your trust score to determine your messaging class or tier.

What is The Campaign Registry (TCR)?

The Campaign Registry (TCR) is the central hub and authoritative registry for all 10DLC brand and campaign registrations in the United States. TCR manages the vetting process, assigns trust scores, and coordinates with carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) to ensure compliant A2P messaging.

Can I use 10DLC for international SMS?

No. 10DLC is a US-specific system for Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging on US carrier networks. For international SMS, you'll need to comply with each country's specific regulations and registration requirements.

Complete Your 10DLC Registration with The Campaign Registry

By following this comprehensive guide and adhering to best practices, you can ensure your 10DLC SMS campaigns are compliant, effective, and contribute to a positive customer experience. With the February 1, 2025 enforcement deadline now in effect, completing your 10DLC brand and campaign registration through The Campaign Registry is essential for maintaining your business SMS capabilities and achieving optimal carrier approval. Start your registration today to avoid service disruptions and maximize your message deliverability.