Minnesota Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Master Minnesota phone number validation, formatting, and area code distribution with this comprehensive guide. Minnesota uses 8 area codes under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP): 218, 320, 507, 612, 651, 763, 924, and 952. Whether you're validating phone numbers, managing telecom infrastructure, or building telecommunications applications, you'll find essential technical information on number portability, the 924 area code overlay, and regulatory compliance.

Quick Reference

How Do Minnesota Phone Numbers Work?

Minnesota phone numbers follow the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), dividing each number into three parts: Country Code (+1), Area Code, and Local Number.

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: A three-digit code representing a specific geographic area within Minnesota.
• Exchange: The first three digits of the seven-digit local number. Historically tied to a specific central office switch.
• Subscriber Number: The final four digits of the local number, uniquely identifying your line.

Example (Minneapolis):

• Complete E.164 Format: +16125550123 (Best practice for storage)
• International Format: +1 (612) 555-0123
• Domestic Format: (612) 555-0123
• Local Format: 555-0123 (Only usable within the same area code)

What Are Minnesota's 8 Area Codes?

Minnesota uses 8 area codes to accommodate its population and ensure sufficient numbering resources.

Historical Context: Minnesota was originally divided into two area codes in 1947 – 612 for southeast/Twin Cities and 218 for the rest of the state. Area code 507 separated from 612 in 1954 to serve southern Minnesota.

How Does Number Portability Work in Minnesota?

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

Porting Process

1. Customer Request: Initiate 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 porting request and confirms the number's portability.
5. Port Scheduling: Schedule a porting 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, Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services, remote call forwarding, or multiple services).

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

Porting Requirements and Restrictions

Ensure your account meets these requirements before initiating a port:

• Your account must be active and in good standing.
• Clear any outstanding balance with your current carrier.
• Provide accurate account information to ensure a successful port.
• Verify your number is within the same rate center as the destination.

While porting itself is free (FCC-regulated), carriers may charge early termination or new service setup fees. Confirm all fees with your provider before starting the port.

Which Carriers Serve Minnesota?

Minnesota's telecommunications market features a mix of national and regional carriers, offering diverse network technologies and coverage options.

Major carriers include:

• 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 metrics vary by region and technology but generally target 99.9% network reliability and data speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps+.

How to Validate Minnesota Phone Numbers

Phone Number Validation with Regular Expressions

Use regular expressions for basic Minnesota phone number validation:

// 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);
}

For production applications, use a dedicated phone number validation library that handles formatting, country codes, and edge cases comprehensively.

Phone Number Validation Best Practices

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

Minnesota Special Service Numbers

What Is the 924 Area Code Overlay?

The 924 area code was introduced as an overlay for the 507 area code due to number exhaustion projected for early 2025. The overlay has been fully implemented as of August 2024, requiring 10-digit dialing for all calls in southern Minnesota.

Source: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission – New Area Code 924

924 Overlay Implementation Timeline

• January 30, 2024: Area code overlay took effect; 10-digit dialing became permissive (recommended).
• July 30, 2024: Mandatory 10-digit dialing required for all local calls within the 507/924 overlay region.
• August 30, 2024: New telephone number assignments with the 924 area code began.

System Updates Required for 924 Overlay

Update your systems to support the 924 area code overlay:

• Update Validation Rules: Ensure your systems accept the 924 area code as valid for southern Minnesota.
• Enforce 10-Digit Dialing: Modify dialing systems to require 10 digits for all calls in the 507/924 region.
• Test Number Portability: Verify seamless porting between 507 and 924 area codes.
• Update Documentation: Inform your users about the overlay and dialing changes.
• Configure PBX Systems: Adjust routing and dialing plans to handle 10-digit local dialing correctly.

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

Premium and Vanity Numbers

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

When choosing a vanity number, balance memorability with brand identity and your target audience's preferences.

Minnesota Telecommunications Regulatory Compliance

Adhere to regulatory frameworks to maintain compliance and protect consumers. Key aspects include:

• Implementation Standards: FCC-mandated blocking measures, optional blocking services, record-keeping, and transparent policy communication.
• Consumer Protection: Clear disclosure of blocking policies, regular policy updates, consumer notification procedures, and appeal mechanisms.
• Service Provider Obligations: Monthly compliance reporting, system audits, staff training, and consumer education programs.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What area codes are used in Minnesota?

Minnesota uses 8 area codes: 218 (Northern Minnesota), 320 (Central Minnesota), 507 (Southern Minnesota), 612 (Minneapolis core), 651 (St. Paul and east metro), 763 (Northwest Minneapolis suburbs), 924 (Southern Minnesota overlay), and 952 (Southwest Minneapolis 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 telephone number assignments with the 924 area code began on August 30, 2024. The overlay was necessary due to number exhaustion in the 507 area code region.

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

FCC regulations mandate that simple ports (single-line wireline or intermodal transfers) 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 approximately 2.5 hours, while complex business ports may require 5–10 business days depending on account complexity.

What is the correct format for storing Minnesota phone numbers?

Store Minnesota phone numbers in E.164 format (+1XXXXXXXXXX) for consistency and portability. For example, a Minneapolis number would be stored as +16125550123. This international standard format ensures compatibility across systems and simplifies number portability when users switch carriers.

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

Yes, for the 507/924 overlay region in southern Minnesota, you must dial 10 digits (area code + 7-digit number) for all calls, including local calls. This requirement became mandatory on July 30, 2024. Other Minnesota area codes may still 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 allow you to keep your Minnesota phone number when switching service providers. Your account must be active and in good standing with no outstanding balance. Simple ports typically complete within 1 business day, and porting itself is free, though carriers may charge early termination or new service setup fees.

Which area code covers Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is primarily served by area code 612 in the urban core. The northwest suburbs use area code 763, while southwest suburbs use area code 952. When validating Minneapolis phone numbers, check for all three area codes (612, 763, 952) depending on the specific neighborhood or suburb.

How do I validate a Minnesota phone number programmatically?

Use the E.164 format validation pattern that checks for +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 applications, use a dedicated phone number validation library like libphonenumber that handles NANP formatting rules, area code verification, and edge cases comprehensively.