Check the prohibited content
If your business engages in any activity prohibited by carriers, your registration will be declined with no path forward for approval.
SMS registration: Keys to success
This page provides a checklist of steps and examples of language designed to meet US industry regulations when submitting your text messaging (SMS) registration.
Registration across the industry may take up to four weeks to be approved. Please submit your registration as soon as possible.
Business verification
Website key requirements
A working website address is required to submit TCR registration or your registration will be declined.
Check your Privacy Policy
- what personal information is collected.
- how the collected information is used.
- whether (and how) the consumer's opt-in information is shared.
"No mobile opt-in or text message consent will be shared with
third parties or affiliates."
Check your SMS Terms of Service
"If you consent to receive <types of messages - i.e.
conversational, informational, promotional, etc.> SMS from
[Business Name], you agree to receive [types of message, must be
consistent with selected use case] SMS from us.
- Reply STOP to opt-out; Reply HELP for support;
- Message & data rates may apply;
- Messaging frequency may vary.
- Visit [Privacy Policy URL] to see our Privacy Policy and terms and conditions.
Check your website contact form
If you're obtaining SMS opt-in consent using a website form (i.e. "Contact Us"):
- Include a checkbox for SMS consent next to any phone number field.
- Make sure the consent checkbox is optional and unchecked by default.
- The consent language should include language similar to this example:
"I consent to receive <types of messages - i.e. conversational,
informational, promotional, etc.> SMS from [Business Name]. Reply
STOP to opt-out; Reply Help for support; Message and data rates
apply; Messaging frequency may vary. <Must include the link to
your Privacy Policy>"
Note: The example consent language in this section is provided as a suggestion, please consult your Legal counsel for approved language.
Obtaining consent
The types of messages a business sends determine the consent required by the underlying carriers. Some examples of possible consent methods are below. Please consult with your legal counsel for approved consent language.
| Conversational | Informational | Promotional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Human-to-human, non-automated two-way messaging to initiate a back-and-forth engagement. Typically, a reply is expected. | Human-generated or automated messaging, one-way notifications to recipients who may or may not request a reply. | Human-generated, automated, or bulk messaging. Sales or marketing-focused in nature. The message may or may not request a reply. |
| Consent required | Implied consent (recipient messages you first to ask a question or engage in a conversation), or express verbal or written consent. | Express verbal or written consent. Consent should be logged, and your messages should contain opt-out language. | Express written consent. Consent should be logged, and your messages should contain opt-out language. |
| Examples of consent |
The recipient locates the phone number on your website and
messages to ask a question (i.e. What are your business
hours?).
The recipient is asked in person, over the phone, via email, a web form, or a paper form to opt-in to receive text messages. |
The recipient is asked in person, over the phone, over email, a web form, or paper form to opt-in to receive text messages. | The recipient is asked in an email, or on a web or paper form to opt-in to receive text messages. |
Next steps
Need help?
Contact your service provider for further assistance.
Note: These examples are for illustration only and don't constitute legal advice. Please consult your legal counsel for language that fits your business needs. Following this guide does not guarantee successful SMS registration.
TCR registration: Keys to success
Due to wireless carrier requirements, all businesses have to register their use of outbound text messaging (SMS/MMS) with The Campaign Registry (TCR).
Please submit your registration as soon as possible to allow time for third-party approvals.
SMS Registration Tutorial
Action items
- Check the SMS/MMS content policy.
- Review the SMS consent requirements and examples and the registration instructions.
- If you have a large list of numbers to register, submit a Number Pool request.
- Sign in to the Admin Portal and complete the SMS TCR Registration form to register your company’s outbound text messaging.
- If your application is rejected, learn how to resolve the issue.
- If you do not plan to send outgoing text messages, set up phone numbers for inbound text messages only.
Additional resources
For Canada
If your business registration is in Canada, please enter one of the following tax IDs:
Your Canadian Business Registration (BN) that was issued by the CRA. Please enter only the first 9 numeric digits.
Example: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R M 0 0 0 1
Didn’t find what you’re looking for?
If you have questions and want to talk to someone, you can reach our dedicated support team at 8559258622. We are available Monday to Friday, from 5 A.M. to 5 P.M., Pacific Standard Time.