Minnesota Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Minnesota phone numbers use 8 area codes under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP): 218 (Northern MN), 320 (Central), 507 (Southern), 612 (Minneapolis), 651 (St. Paul), 763 (Northwest suburbs), 924 (Southern overlay), and 952 (Southwest suburbs). This guide covers Minnesota phone number validation, E.164 formatting, number portability, the 924 area code overlay, and regulatory compliance for developers and telecom professionals.

Quick Reference

How Do Minnesota Phone Numbers Work?

Minnesota phone numbers follow the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Each Minnesota number consists of three parts: Country Code (+1), Area Code (3 digits), and Local Number (7 digits).

Understanding Minnesota's Number Format

+1 (Area Code) Exchange-Subscriber Number

• Country Code (+1): Identifies the North American region. Required for international calls.
• Area Code: Three-digit code representing a geographic area within Minnesota.
• Exchange: First three digits of the seven-digit local number. Historically tied to a central office switch.
• Subscriber Number: Final four digits that uniquely identify your line.

Example (Minneapolis):

What Are Minnesota's 8 Area Codes?

Minnesota currently has 8 active area codes to serve the state's telecommunications needs. Area code 924 is the newest addition, implemented in 2024 as an overlay for the 507 region.

Historical Context: Minnesota started with two area codes in 1947: 612 for southeast/Twin Cities and 218 for the rest of the state. Area code 507 split from 612 in 1954 to serve southern Minnesota.

How Does Number Portability Work in Minnesota?

Number portability lets you keep your phone number when switching service providers in Minnesota. FCC regulations govern this local number portability (LNP), which applies to wireless, wireline, and VoIP services.

Porting Process

1. Customer Request: Start the porting process with your new provider.
2. Eligibility Check: Your new provider verifies your account status and eligibility.
3. Port Request Submission: Your new provider submits a porting request to your old provider.
4. Carrier Validation: Your old provider validates the request and confirms portability.
5. Port Scheduling: Schedule the port date and time (typically within one business day for simple ports).
6. Port Execution: Transfer your number to the new provider.
7. Service Activation: Your new provider activates the number on their network.

How Long Does Number Porting Take?

FCC regulations (47 CFR § 52.35) mandate specific porting intervals:

• Simple Ports (Wireline/Intermodal): 1 business day. Requests submitted between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. (local time, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays) complete by midnight the same day. Requests after 1 p.m. process the next business day.
• Wireless-to-Wireless Ports: 2.5 hours (not subject to the one-business-day rule)
• Complex Ports (multiple lines): 3 – 5 business days
• Business Ports: 5 – 10 business days (depending on complexity)

Simple Port Definition: Single-line accounts without unbundled network elements or complex switch translations (Centrex, ISDN, AIN services, remote call forwarding, or multiple services).

Source: 47 CFR § 52.35 – Porting Intervals (implemented May 2010, effective August 2010)

Porting Requirements and Restrictions

Ensure your account meets these requirements before porting:

• Active account in good standing
• No outstanding balance with your current carrier
• Accurate account information (name, address, account number)
• Number within the same rate center as the destination

Porting is free under FCC regulations, but carriers may charge early termination or new service setup fees. Confirm all fees with your provider before starting.

Which Carriers Serve Minnesota?

Minnesota's telecommunications market includes national and regional carriers with diverse network technologies and coverage options.

Major Carriers:

• AT&T: Comprehensive coverage (urban and rural), 5G/4G LTE/Fiber
• Verizon: Extensive coverage (metro and suburban), 5G/4G LTE/FiOS
• T-Mobile: Growing coverage (urban and suburban), 5G/4G LTE
• US Cellular: Regional focus (rural and secondary markets), 4G LTE/5G
• CenturyLink: Primarily fixed-line services (urban and business), Fiber/Copper

Service quality varies by region and technology but generally targets 99.9% network reliability and data speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps+.

Coverage Comparison:

How to Validate Minnesota Phone Numbers

Validating Minnesota phone numbers ensures data quality and compliance with NANP formatting standards. Use these methods for accurate validation.

Phone Number Validation with Regular Expressions

Use regular expressions for basic Minnesota phone number validation. For production applications, use a dedicated library like libphonenumber.

// Basic Minnesota number validation (allows various formats)
const mnNumberPattern = /^(\+1|1)?\s*(\([2-9]\d{2}\)|[2-9]\d{2})\s*[2-9]\d{2}\s*\d{4}$/;

// Area code specific validation (example: 612)
const minneapolisPattern = /^(\+1|1)?\s*\(612\)\s*[2-9]\d{2}\s*\d{4}$/;

function validateMNNumber(phoneNumber) {
  return mnNumberPattern.test(phoneNumber);
}

Recommended Library: libphonenumber

For production systems, use Google's libphonenumber library for comprehensive phone number validation and formatting:

npm install libphonenumber-js

import { parsePhoneNumber } from 'libphonenumber-js';

function validateMNNumberLibphonenumber(phoneNumber) {
  try {
    const parsed = parsePhoneNumber(phoneNumber, 'US');
    const mnAreaCodes = ['218', '320', '507', '612', '651', '763', '924', '952'];
    return parsed.isValid() && mnAreaCodes.includes(parsed.nationalNumber.slice(0, 3));
  } catch (error) {
    return false;
  }
}

Phone Number Validation Best Practices

• E.164 format for Storage: Store phone numbers in E.164 format (+1XXXXXXXXXX) for consistency and portability.
• Flexible Input Parsing: Accept various input formats ((XXX) XXX-XXXX, XXX-XXX-XXXX, XXXXXXXXXX) and normalize to E.164 before storage.
• Area Code Validation: Validate against Minnesota's active area codes (218, 320, 507, 612, 651, 763, 924, 952). Update your validation list when new codes are introduced.
• Regular Updates: Monitor Minnesota's numbering regulations at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) website.

Database Storage Recommendations:

-- Recommended schema for phone number storage
CREATE TABLE contacts (
    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    phone_number VARCHAR(15) NOT NULL,  -- E.164 format (+1XXXXXXXXXX)
    phone_normalized VARCHAR(15) NOT NULL,  -- Normalized for querying
    area_code VARCHAR(3),  -- Extracted for filtering
    INDEX idx_phone_normalized (phone_normalized),
    INDEX idx_area_code (area_code)
);

Minnesota Special Service Numbers

What Is the 924 Area Code Overlay?

The 924 area code overlays the 507 area code in southern Minnesota due to number exhaustion. Fully implemented in August 2024, it requires 10-digit dialing for all calls in the region.

Source: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission – New Area Code 924

924 Overlay Implementation Timeline

• January 30, 2024: Overlay took effect; 10-digit dialing became permissive (recommended)
• July 30, 2024: 10-digit dialing became mandatory for all local calls in the 507/924 region
• August 30, 2024: New number assignments with 924 area code began

System Updates Required for 924 Overlay

Update your systems to support the 924 area code overlay:

• Update Validation Rules: Accept 924 as a valid area code for southern Minnesota
• Enforce 10-Digit Dialing: Require 10 digits for all calls in the 507/924 region
• Test Number Portability: Verify seamless porting between 507 and 924
• Update Documentation: Inform users about the overlay and dialing changes
• Configure PBX Systems: Adjust routing and dialing plans for 10-digit local dialing

Implementation Example:

// Updated validation to include 924 area code
const mnAreaCodes = ['218', '320', '507', '612', '651', '763', '924', '952'];
const southernMNOverlay = ['507', '924'];

function requiresTenDigitDialing(areaCode) {
  return southernMNOverlay.includes(areaCode);
}

function formatForDialing(phoneNumber, callerAreaCode) {
  const parsed = parsePhoneNumber(phoneNumber, 'US');
  const targetAreaCode = parsed.nationalNumber.slice(0, 3);

  // 507/924 overlay requires 10-digit dialing
  if (requiresTenDigitDialing(targetAreaCode)) {
    return parsed.nationalNumber;  // 10 digits
  }

  // Other area codes may allow 7-digit local dialing
  return parsed.nationalNumber;
}

Important: Systems not updated before the July 30, 2024 mandatory dialing deadline may have experienced service disruptions. Ensure all systems enforce 10-digit dialing for the 507/924 overlay area.

Premium and Vanity Numbers

Premium and vanity numbers offer memorable, brand-aligned phone numbers. Options include repeating sequences, sequential combinations, mirror patterns, and alphanumeric translations (e.g., 1-800-FLOWERS).

Acquisition Process:

1. Check availability through your carrier or specialty providers (RingBoost, VanityTel)
2. Compare pricing: $30 – $1,000+ depending on memorability and pattern
3. Purchase and activate through your service provider
4. Configure call routing and forwarding

Balance memorability with brand identity and your target audience's preferences when choosing a vanity number.

Minnesota Telecommunications Regulatory Compliance

Adhere to regulatory frameworks to maintain compliance and protect consumers.

Key Regulatory Requirements

FCC Rules:

• 47 CFR § 64.1200 (TCPA): Obtain prior express written consent before sending marketing messages or making robocalls
• 47 CFR § 64.1601 (STIR/SHAKEN): Implement caller ID authentication for call origination
• 47 CFR § 52.15 (Number Portability): Support local number portability within one business day

TCPA Compliance for Minnesota Numbers:

• Maintain written consent records for all marketing communications
• Honor Do Not Call (DNC) registry requirements
• Provide clear opt-out mechanisms in every message
• Avoid calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. (local time)
• Display accurate caller ID information

Implementation Standards:

• FCC-mandated call blocking measures
• Optional blocking services for consumers
• Record-keeping and transparent policy communication
• Monthly compliance reporting and system audits

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Contact

For telecommunications regulations, numbering inquiries, and consumer assistance:

• Phone (Local): 651-296-0406
• Phone (Toll-Free): 1-800-657-3782
• Email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us
• Address: 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, Saint Paul, MN 55101-2147
• Website: mn.gov/puc

The PUC administers Minnesota's Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP), federal Lifeline program, and handles telecommunications compliance matters.

Minnesota-Specific Regulations:

• Minnesota Statutes § 237.52: Universal service support for rural and high-cost areas
• Minnesota Rules 7810: Service quality standards and consumer protections
• TAP (Telephone Assistance Plan): Low-income assistance program providing discounted phone service

Frequently Asked Questions

What area codes are used in Minnesota?

Minnesota uses 8 area codes: 218 (Northern), 320 (Central), 507 (Southern), 612 (Minneapolis core), 651 (St. Paul and east metro), 763 (Northwest suburbs), 924 (Southern overlay), and 952 (Southwest suburbs). The 924 area code was added in August 2024 as an overlay for the 507 region.

When was the 924 area code implemented in Minnesota?

The 924 area code overlay took effect on January 30, 2024, with 10-digit dialing becoming mandatory on July 30, 2024. New number assignments began on August 30, 2024. The overlay addressed number exhaustion in the 507 region.

How long does it take to port a phone number in Minnesota?

Simple ports (single-line wireline or intermodal) complete within 1 business day. Requests submitted between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. complete by midnight the same day. Wireless-to-wireless ports take 2.5 hours, while complex business ports may require 5 – 10 business days.

What is the correct format for storing Minnesota phone numbers?

Store phone numbers in E.164 format (+1XXXXXXXXXX) for consistency and portability. For example, store a Minneapolis number as +16125550123. This international standard ensures compatibility across systems and simplifies number portability.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in Minnesota?

Yes, the 507/924 overlay region requires 10 digits (area code + 7-digit number) for all calls. This became mandatory on July 30, 2024. Other area codes may allow 7-digit local dialing, but 10-digit dialing works everywhere and is recommended.

Can I keep my Minnesota phone number when switching carriers?

Yes, FCC number portability rules let you keep your phone number when switching providers. Your account must be active and in good standing with no outstanding balance. Simple ports complete within 1 business day. Porting is free, though carriers may charge early termination or setup fees.

Which area code covers Minneapolis?

Minneapolis uses area code 612 in the urban core. Northwest suburbs use 763, and southwest suburbs use 952. When validating Minneapolis phone numbers, check for all three area codes depending on the neighborhood or suburb.

How do I validate a Minnesota phone number programmatically?

Validate using the E.164 format pattern: +1 country code followed by a valid Minnesota area code (218, 320, 507, 612, 651, 763, 924, or 952) and a 7-digit local number. For production, use libphonenumber:

import { parsePhoneNumber } from 'libphonenumber-js';

const mnAreaCodes = ['218', '320', '507', '612', '651', '763', '924', '952'];

function validateMNNumber(phoneNumber) {
  try {
    const parsed = parsePhoneNumber(phoneNumber, 'US');
    const areaCode = parsed.nationalNumber.slice(0, 3);
    return parsed.isValid() && mnAreaCodes.includes(areaCode);
  } catch (error) {
    return false;
  }
}