A2P 10DLC Made Simple: Business Texting Verification Explained
Want to Send SMS to Your Contacts? Here’s What You Need to Know
Before you can start sending SMS messages, you’ll need to register your business. This is a required process that keeps you compliant, protects consumers from spam, and helps make sure your messages actually get delivered.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
What A2P 10DLC is
Why registration matters
The costs involved
Step-by-step instructions to register yourself
Keep in mind: The A2P registration process can feel a bit tricky. Each submission is reviewed by carriers, and fees apply each time you submit — even if your application is rejected.
If you’d rather skip the stress, we can help. For a one-time fee of $99, one of our trained professionals will walk you through the process to make sure it’s done right. (This fee covers our expert help only. Carrier registration and review fees are charged separately.)
👉 [Click here to get help from a professional]
What Is A2P 10DLC (And Why Does It Matter in Realty Excellence CRM)?
A2P 10DLC stands for Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code. In plain terms, it’s a required registration that tells mobile carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, and others) that your business text messages are legitimate—not spam.
Think of it like a verified badge for your texts. Once registered, your messages are far more likely to reach your contacts instead of getting blocked or flagged.
What Happens If You Don’t Register?
Your texts may get delayed, blocked, or marked as spam
Your deliverability will drop
Carriers may fine or restrict your account
Why Registration Is Worth It
More of your messages will actually get delivered
Avoid fines and spam flags
Build trust with your contacts
Stay compliant with U.S. texting regulations
How the A2P 10DLC Process Works in Realty Excellence CRM (U.S.)
Register Your Business (Brand)
Share your business details like name, EIN (Tax ID), address, and contact info.Describe Your Campaign (What You’ll Be Texting)
Tell carriers what kinds of messages you’ll send—like appointment reminders, property updates, or client follow-ups.Assign Your Number
Connect your business texting number inside Realty Excellence CRM to your approved campaign.Wait for Carrier Approval
Approval typically takes 2–3 days. During this period, some messages may not deliver right away—this is normal.
What Kind of Texting Setup Do You Need? (And What Does It Cost?)
Depending on how many texts you send and where, there are different ways to get your business registered.
Before You Start: Important Cost Info for A2P Registration
To get your A2P Brand and Campaign set up, keep in mind there’s a one-time fee of $23.95 that covers:
$4.41 for Brand Registration
$16.54 for Campaign Setup
Plus small processing fees
Pro tip: Double-check your info before submitting to avoid delays or extra charges.
Your Registration Options:
1. Low Volume (Standard)
Perfect if you send under 6,000 texts per day.
Recommended for most Realty Excellence Business Partners.
You’ll need a registered business with a Tax ID (like EIN).
2. Toll-Free Number
Ideal if you want to text customers in both the U.S. and Canada.
Requires a business name and Tax ID.
Approval can take up to 15 business days.
Registration is free, but texting costs might be a bit higher.
3. High Volume (Standard Volume)
For businesses sending more than 6,000 texts per day.
Costs:
$48.51 for brand registration (one-time)
$16.54 for campaign setup (one-time)
Not sure which option suits you?
Start with Low Volume—it’s the easiest and most budget-friendly choice for most small businesses.
How It Works in Canada (if applicable)
Unlike the U.S., Canada doesn’t require A2P 10DLC registration through TCR yet. But Canadian carriers still watch out for spam and abuse.
So, even without formal registration, you must:
Use a real, legitimate business number
Keep opt-out rates low
Follow Canadian anti-spam laws (CASL)
You can still send texts to Canadian numbers using Toll-Free, Short Code, or local numbers—but always stick to SMS compliance best practices!
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Registering Your Business for Texting
Don’t use a P.O. Box
Always provide a real, physical business address—no P.O. Boxes allowed.Make sure your EIN/Tax ID matches your business info
The name, EIN/Tax ID, and address must all match exactly.Only text people who’ve given permission
Get clear opt-in consent before sending any messages.Avoid restricted content
Stay away from topics like CBD, loans, credit repair, or debt relief—they can cause your campaign to be rejected or blocked.
Tip: Check out the Forbidden Message Categories for SMS and MMS in the U.S. and Canada to stay compliant!
Prefer to DIY? Here’s How to Register A2P in your CRM
Important: This step MUST be done first!
Before starting the A2P registration, you need to register or buy your phone number inside your CRM:
Go to Settings → Phone Numbers
Click the + Add Number button on the right side
After adding your number, you might be automatically taken to the Trust Center (Step 2) to continue the process.
Step 1: Update Your Business Profile in your CRM
Don’t skip ahead! You must complete your Business Profile first (see Step 1 below) before moving forward.
Navigate to:
Click on Settings.
Click on Business Profile.
Make sure to complete and verify all the necessary business details. If you’ve followed the blog “Business Profile Settings in CRM: Everything You Need to Know,” this should already be done. Be sure to fill out your general information, business information, physical business address, and authorized representative details.
Additionally, there are some important settings you need to enable in your General Settings panel. Turn on “Merge Facebook Contacts By Name,” verify your email address when you send the first email, and make your emails compliant by adding an unsubscribe link. These steps are essential to ensure your business profile is complete and meets all requirements.
If you're not sure where to find these, they’re usually located under:Settings → General or SMS Compliance Settings
Why this matters: These checkboxes improve your sender reputation and ensure your messages meet compliance standards.
Also Go to the SMS Compliance Setting.
And make sure to check these boxes.
Step 2: Access the Trust Center
Go to Settings > Phone Numbers.
Click Trust Center.
Select Start Registering Now.
Step 3: Register Your Brand
When you start the registration, you’ll be asked two important questions. First: “Is the business entity you're registering located in the US and/or Canada?” Make sure to select “YES.”
Next: “Does the business you're registering have a tax ID (like a US EIN or Canada BN9)?” You might be tempted to answer “NO” if your business isn’t an LLC or doesn’t have a tax ID. However, as a Realty Excellence brand partner, having an LLC is required, so in most cases, you should select “YES.”
⚠️ Important:
If you have not yet received your EIN confirmation letter from the IRS, pause here. Do not continue with registration until you have that letter in hand.
You can find your US EIN on your CP 575 form from IRS
Please provide the following information, ensuring that all details exactly match those on your IRS EIN confirmation letter:
Physical Business Address: A physical address must be provided; P.O. Boxes are not permitted.
EIN / Tax ID: Enter the number exactly as it appears on your IRS confirmation letter.
Website URL: Use the Linktree URL provided. This should have been set up following the instructions in the blog titled “How to Buy & Connect a Domain in Your CRM (Plus Link It to Your Linktree).”
Industry Category: We recommend selecting “Retail.”
Business Contact Information: Ensure all contact details are accurate and up to date.
Note: If you have already updated the Business Profile Information system will populate your details automatically
***Legal Business Name (must match IRS EIN letter exactly)
Tip: Use your EIN letter (Form SS-4 or CP 575) as a reference. Match spelling, punctuation, and format exactly
The next step will take you to your Business address. (If you have filled the business Profile carefully they would appear as auto filled)
Then you will be taken to the Authorized information again : (If you have filled the business Profile carefully they would appear as auto filled)
Step 3: Choose you brand type
We recommend selecting the Low Volume Standard option, as it is cost-effective, supports up to 6,000 segments per day, and suits the needs of most businesses.
Please ensure that you check the acknowledgment box to confirm your acceptance of the one-time registration fee and campaign terms. This will allow us to proceed promptly without any delays.
Important Reminders:
Please note that there is a carrier fee associated with A2P registration. If your application is denied, this fee must be paid again to resubmit the application for review.
It is crucial to carefully verify your business information—such as your EIN and legal business name—as well as your campaign details before submission to prevent unnecessary delays and additional charges.
Additionally, your domain must be purchased, properly set up, and linked to your Linktree prior to initiating the A2P registration. Failure to complete this step will result in your registration being denied.
The messages provided below are templates and should be customized with your specific information. Please do not copy and paste them exactly as they are. Be sure to replace all text highlighted in red and bold with your own details before use.
Step 4: Set Up a Campaign
Please describe your use case (e.g., appointment reminders, updates).
For example:
“This campaign sends appointment information—confirmation and reminder messages—to our customers once they have booked an appointment with [your company name] on our website [add your website link] and opted in to receive promotional and notification SMS messages from us at [your phone number].”
Adding Sample Messages
This section is called Messaging Use Case—here, you will provide examples of the types of messages your business will send using this account (e.g., appointment reminders, confirmations, promotions).
Add sample message 1:
For example:
“Hi John! This is [your name] from [your company name]. Your appointment for July 20 at 11:00 AM is confirmed. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Add sample messages 2
For example:
“Hey Brian! This is [your name] from [your company name]. We noticed you were unable to attend your appointment. Would you like to reschedule? Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Pro Tips:
Please use the provided examples as a guide, as they effectively demonstrate what is expected. However, it is important not to copy and paste them without making the necessary modifications. You must personalize the content by including your own relevant information, such as your business or company name, website URL (or Linktree link), and SMS number. Failure to customize these fields may lead to delays or even rejection of your campaign. Therefore, we recommend taking a few extra minutes to thoroughly review all details to ensure they accurately reflect your business. Additionally, if your texting brand name differs from your legal business name, please include a note stating, “We are doing business as [Brand Name].”
Go ahead and check off both of these boxes and then hit "Continue"
Opt-in Keywords
You opt-in key words would be Start, Subscribe.
Step 4: End User Consent:
Before submitting your A2P registration, it is important to ensure that your website or landing page complies with the following standards. Your opt-in message must be clearly displayed on the opt-in form used on your site. Additionally, the consent checkbox must be separate from your Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and any other promotional consent checkboxes to ensure clear and explicit consent.
This ensures that users provide explicit permission to receive SMS messages, which is required for approval. Customers give consent by:
Visiting your website and filling out a form.
Checking a box that indicates their agreement to receive text updates and promotional messages from your business.
Example:
End users opt in by visiting [your website], completing the form, and checking a consent box to receive notifications and promotional messages. Additionally, users can provide consent by texting START to [your phone number].
An opt-in message is the first text your customer receives after agreeing to receive messages from your business.
It is required for A2P registration and demonstrates that your audience has consented to receive messages.
Your opt-in message must include:
Your business name, so customers know who is messaging them.
A clear opt-out option, such as: “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
Example:
“You have successfully opted-in to receive notification and promotional SMS from [your company name]. Please reply STOP if you wish to opt-out in the future.”Before submitting, double-check all the information you have entered.
Step 5: Create Your Campaign (Only Appears After Brand Approval)
Once your Brand is approved, a new option will appear on your screen. Click the “Create Campaign” button, as shown in the image below. You will then be taken to the campaign setup screen, where most of your details will already be auto-filled from your brand profile. At this stage, review all information carefully to ensure accuracy and read the acknowledgment checkbox regarding submission fees thoroughly.
Important Note on Campaign Fees: By checking the acknowledgment box, you agree to the one-time Brand and Campaign registration fee of $23.95, which includes a $3 Fast Track fee to expedite approval within approximately three business days. Please note, if your campaign is denied, you will be required to pay the fee again to resubmit. Additionally, a monthly TCR fee of up to $12 may apply to both approved and denied campaigns. Once you are ready, click Submit. Your campaign status will then display as “In Progress” while carriers review your submission.
You will be taken to the campaign setup screen, where most of your details will be auto-filled from your brand profile. Here’s what to do next:
Review your information carefully to ensure everything is accurate.
Read the acknowledgment checkbox confirming a $16.54 submission fee.
Important: If your campaign is denied, this fee must be paid again to resubmit.
Click Submit once you are ready.
After submission, your campaign status will display as “In Progress” while carriers review your application.
Step 6: Wait for Approval
Brand approval is typically instant, while campaign approval may take up to three business days. During this time, you may experience delays in message delivery as carriers complete their synchronization process.
Payment Method Clarification: Setup charges, such as the one-time registration fee of $23.95, are charged directly to your card at the time of campaign submission. There is no need to fund your wallet in advance unless you plan to use it for other purposes.
Prefer a Done-For-You Option? Let Us Handle It.
Setting up A2P messaging can be complex, involving strict carrier regulations, compliance requirements, and multiple procedural steps. To help you navigate this process smoothly and ensure everything is done correctly the first time, we offer a paid A2P onboarding session. During this session, our team will either guide you through the entire setup or handle it on your behalf.
With expert support, you can confidently ensure your brand and EIN details match IRS records, create fully compliant campaigns, properly register your 10DLC or Toll-Free number, and avoid common rejections, delays, and delivery issues. This service helps you stay compliant and confident throughout the process.
Please note that A2P registration can be confusing, overwhelming, and costly if not done properly. Each submission undergoes manual review, and fees apply every time—even for rejected applications.
If you prefer professional assistance, we offer a one-time upgrade for $99 to guide you or complete the setup for you. This fee covers our expert support and setup services but does not include the carrier’s registration and review fees, which are billed separately.
[Click here if you would like to have this process completed with professional assistance.]
Here’s the Bottom Line:
A2P 10DLC is a mandatory verification process designed to ensure your business text messages are delivered reliably and in compliance with legal requirements. Without this verification, your messages risk being blocked, delayed, or flagged, potentially exposing your business to non-compliance penalties.
If the setup process seems technical or time-consuming, you have the option to pay for expert assistance to complete it quickly and correctly. However, if you prefer to handle it yourself, you can follow the step-by-step guide provided earlier to confidently get started within your CRM.
Regardless of the approach you choose, completing the verification process is essential. It is the key to safeguarding your message deliverability, maintaining your business credibility, and ensuring effective communication with your customers.
FAQs
Is this required for Canadian customers?
No, formal registration is not required in Canada; however, following best practices is essential to avoid being blacklisted.
How long does the process take?
Toll-Free: 2–3 business days
10DLC: 4–6 weeks for full carrier synchronization
Can I send messages before full approval?
Messages may fail during carrier propagation, particularly with 10DLC. Toll-Free numbers typically allow quicker start times.
What happens if I don’t register?
Your messages may be blocked or throttled, and your business risks carrier-imposed fines.
Completing your A2P registration is just the beginning. To maintain consistent and high message deliverability, it is crucial to follow the Messaging Ramp Process—a step-by-step approach that gradually increases your texting volume while maintaining compliance. Skipping this process can result in blocked or throttled messages, even after verification.
Click here to learn about the Messaging Ramp Process and how to implement it correctly.
Final Note: If you intend to expand your business through text marketing, obtaining verification via A2P 10DLC is essential. With our comprehensive onboarding support, we will simplify the setup process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: growing your brand.
