Introduction
If you’re a business looking to send SMS messages to customers in the United States, there’s one important acronym you need to understand: 10DLC and How to register for 10DLC?
Short for 10-digit long code, 10DLC is the dedicated phone number system for application-to-person (A2P) SMS in the U.S. It’s designed for businesses — like yours — that want to send mass or automated messages (think appointment reminders, follow-ups, and promotional texts) while maintaining high deliverability and full compliance.
Starting in 2023, U.S. carriers made 10DLC registration mandatory for any business sending A2P SMS — meaning if you haven’t registered yet, your messages are likely to be filtered, delayed, or blocked.
What Is 10DLC?
10DLC (10-digit long code) is a standard U.S. phone number (e.g., 212-555-1234) designed specifically for business A2P messaging.
Before 10DLC, businesses often used:
- Shared short codes (e.g., 5-digit numbers like 12345)
- Unregistered long codes (which looked like personal numbers)
- Toll-free numbers (which are still valid but have different use cases)
With rising spam and carrier filtering, U.S. mobile carriers introduced 10DLC to protect consumers while allowing legitimate business messaging — with better throughput, deliverability, and fewer blocks, provided you’re registered.
Who Needs to Register for 10DLC?
If you send any SMS messages from a U.S.-based 10-digit number via a platform or CRM, and your messages are automated or part of a campaign (i.e., not just personal), then you need 10DLC registration.
You must register if:
✅ You’re using SMS for appointment reminders
✅ You’re running follow-ups via CRM automation
✅ You’re sending marketing or promotional texts
✅ You’re notifying customers via a platform
✅ You’re a service-based business sending text updates
What Happens If You Don’t Register?
If you send A2P SMS without a registered 10DLC number:
- 📉 Messages may be blocked or filtered by carriers
- 🚫 Higher risk of being flagged as spam
- 💸 Penalties and message surcharges may apply
- ⏱ Lower throughput (slower delivery speeds)
In short, your texts won’t reliably reach customers, and you may be paying more for less impact.
10DLC Registration: Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s walk through the process of registering your 10DLC number so you can start (or continue) sending SMS with confidence.
Pro Tip: If you’re using Hello CRM, we help you automate this process in-platform.
Step 1: Register Your Business (Brand Registration)
Carriers need to know who is sending messages. The first step is to register your brand.
You’ll provide:
- Legal business name
- EIN (Employer Identification Number)
- Type of business (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
- Business address
- Website
- Contact information
This step is submitted to The Campaign Registry (TCR) — the central body managing 10DLC compliance.
Once your brand is approved, it receives a Brand ID.
Step 2: Register Your Campaign Use Case
Next, define the purpose of your messages (aka “campaign use case”).
You’ll need to select one or more categories that match your usage:
| Use Case Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Marketing | Promotions, offers, product launches |
| Transactional | Order confirmations, appointment reminders |
| Customer Care | Support updates, follow-up messages |
| Account Notifications | Login alerts, status changes |
You’ll be asked to:
- Name your campaign
- Provide sample message content
- Estimate volume and recipients
- Include opt-in and opt-out language
Each campaign gets a Campaign ID, and you may need to register more than one campaign if you use SMS for multiple purposes.
Step 3: Link Your Number(s) to the Campaign
Once your campaign is approved, you can assign specific phone numbers (your 10-digit long codes) to the campaign.
Carriers will use this mapping to allow or block messages depending on compliance. Hello CRM handles this routing automatically.
Step 4: Confirm Opt-In Process
To remain compliant, you must demonstrate that:
- Contacts gave explicit consent to receive SMS
- They know what kind of messages they’re opting in to
- You provide clear unsubscribe instructions
Common opt-in methods:
- Checkbox on a form: “Yes, I want to receive SMS updates”
- SMS keyword opt-ins (e.g., “Text START to 123456”)
- Verbal or in-store written consent
Step 5: Submit and Await Approval
Once all information is submitted:
- Brand registration = typically approved in minutes
- Campaign approval = can take 24–72 hours
If rejected, TCR will provide a reason — usually due to:
- Missing opt-in proof
- Incomplete company data
- Vague or promotional message samples
Hello CRM Tip: Use our built-in templates to avoid common rejections.
How Hello CRM Helps You Register for 10DLC
We’ve integrated the 10DLC registration process directly into your Hello CRM SMS settings, so you don’t need to deal with third-party systems or forms.
With Hello CRM, you can:
✅ Register your brand and campaign in minutes
✅ Select your use case with pre-approved message templates
✅ Assign and manage your SMS numbers
✅ Store opt-in data and timestamps for each lead
✅ Monitor approval status and message delivery
✅ Stay fully compliant with carrier guidelines
We also keep you updated if regulations change or if a campaign needs re-verification.
10DLC FAQs
👉What if I’m already using SMS?
If you’re sending via a long code and haven’t registered, you must register ASAP or risk delivery failure.
👉Is 10DLC the same as a short code?
No. Short codes are 5-6 digit numbers often used for high-volume marketing. 10DLC is designed for more personalized, lower-cost business SMS.
👉Can I use a toll-free number instead?
Toll-free SMS is still allowed and can be registered separately. However, 10DLC offers better regional branding and local trust.
👉Is 10DLC registration a one-time process?
You’ll need to update your campaign details if your use case changes. Brand and number registration remain unless your EIN or legal name changes.
👉Do I need to re-register with each CRM?
If you use multiple platforms, you’ll need to register your 10DLC separately with each — unless they share the same provider.
Final Thoughts
10DLC isn’t just a regulatory checkbox — it’s your gateway to more reliable, higher-quality SMS engagement in the U.S.
With better deliverability, lower spam risk, and trusted sender reputation, 10DLC is now a must-have for any business using SMS at scale.
By registering through Hello CRM, you stay:
- Compliant with carriers
- Aligned with opt-in best practices
- Set up for success with multichannel sales campaigns
Need help registering for 10DLC?
Start your free trial or book a demo — and our team will guide you through it, step by step.
