What is A2P 10DLC?

A2P 10DLC is the US carrier-verified messaging system for business messaging over standard 10-digit phone numbers. Registration is required to ensure high message deliverability, protect consumers, and meet compliance standards.

Registration Steps

1. Determine Your Business Type

Are you a direct business, ISV (Independent Software Vendor), or Sole Proprietor? Your path may vary slightly.

2. Gather Required Information

Business legal name, address, EIN (Tax ID), business type, and contact details.
Intended use cases for messaging (e.g., marketing, notifications, 2FA).
Sample message content, opt-in/opt-out/help messaging.

3. Register Your Brand

This verifies your company through Twilio’s Trust Hub (Twilio integrates with The Campaign Registry).

4. Register Campaigns

Choose applicable campaign use cases (e.g., 2FA, marketing, customer care).

Define message flow, provide sample copy, set opt-out/in keywords.

5. Assign Numbers

Attach your 10DLC numbers to registered campaigns via your Twilio Messaging Service.

6. Approval and Messaging

Once approved, you can begin sending compliant A2P SMS/MMS traffic to US numbers.

Key Tips

There are standard and special use cases; special ones (like political or emergency messaging) may require more vetting.
The process helps ensure better throughput and lower risk of your messages being filtered by carriers.
Fees and limits exist based on campaign/brand type and use case.

Helpful Resources

See an overview of campaign use cases, requirements, and relevant limits in this reference: List of campaign use case types for A2P 10DLC registration Twilio Help Center.
Comprehensive process and compliance information: What is A2P 10DLC? Twilio Help Center

NOTE: See the Registration checklist attached at the bottom of this document.

Example Content

1. Sample Message Content

a. Marketing

Acme Corp: Enjoy 20% off your next purchase with code SAVE20. Visit our store by 9/30. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

b. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Your Acme Corp verification code is 348912. Do not share this code with anyone.

c. Appointment Reminder

Acme Dental: Reminder—your appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at 3:30 PM. Reply YES to confirm or NO to reschedule.

d. Order Notification

Acme Delivery: Your order #12345 is out for delivery and will arrive today. Reply HELP for assistance.

2. Opt-in Messaging (Consent Process)

a. Web Form Example

“By entering your phone number and clicking 'Subscribe', you agree to receive promotional and transactional messages from Acme Corp. Message frequency varies. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel.”

b. Keyword Opt-in Example

“Text JOIN to 555123 to receive updates and alerts from Acme Corp. Message frequency varies. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

3. Opt-out Messaging

Opt-out Keywords: STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, QUIT, END

Auto-response Example:

“You have successfully unsubscribed and will no longer receive messages from Acme Corp. Reply START to re-subscribe.”

4. Help Messaging

Help Keywords: HELP, INFO