Twilio A2P 10 DLC Registration

1. Understand A2P 10DLC Basics

• 10DLC stands for 10-Digit Long Code. It’s a standard North American 10-digit phone number.

• The reason it’s called A2P (application-to-person) is that these numbers are specifically meant for sending messages from an application (e.g., via Twilio) to consumers—such as your renters.

• U.S. mobile carriers are requiring businesses to register their “Brand” and “Campaigns” to reduce spam and improve the overall messaging ecosystem.

• Proper registration helps ensure higher deliverability rates and compliance with regulations.

2. Gather Required Information

• You need to complete both your brand registration and campaign registration with The Campaign Registry

• You must prove that your contacts have opted in to receive texts from you

1. Business Details
• Legal business name
• Business address
• Business type (LLC, sole proprietor, etc.)
• Tax ID/Employer Identification Number (EIN) (if applicable)
• Website URL (if you have one)

2. Contact Details
• Authorized representative’s name, phone number, and email address

3. Use Case or “Campaign” Details
• Description of what the messaging will be used for (e.g., “sending rental payment reminders,” “property maintenance alerts,” “lease updates”).
• Sample messages or message flow (how you will format typical messages).
• Opt-in and opt-out processes (important to demonstrate compliance with messaging regulations).

3. Register Your Brand in Twilio

a. Create (or Access) Your Twilio Console Account

1. Log in to the Twilio Console.

2. Navigate to Messaging → Trust Hub (or Regulatory Compliance → A2P Messaging depending on the interface).

b. Start “Brand Registration”

1. Provide the required business details.

2. When asked for your company’s Tax ID or EIN, ensure accuracy. (If you’re a sole proprietor, Twilio may have a separate flow. Double-check the instructions for smaller businesses.)

Tip: Make sure that your legal business name exactly matches the name on your official documents. Any mismatch can result in delays or rejections.

4. Register Your Campaign

1. Campaign Use Case
• Twilio will provide different categories (e.g., “Customer Care,” “Marketing,” “Notifications,” “Higher Education,” etc.).
• For messaging tenants/renters, you’ll typically select something like Customer Care or Account Notifications, depending on the nature of your messages.

2. Sample Message Content
• Provide at least one example of the typical message you plan to send.
• For instance, “Hello [Name], this is a reminder that your rent is due on the 1st. Please log in to your portal or contact us if you have any questions.”

3. Opt-In/Opt-Out Requirements
• You must clearly describe how customers consent to receiving these messages.
• Common methods:
• Website form with explicit consent
• Paper or digital lease agreement clause specifying SMS notifications
• Text-to-join keywords, etc.
• Ensure you have an opt-out mechanism. By default, Twilio automatically processes keywords like “STOP,” “UNSTOP,” and “HELP,” but you should also outline how you will honor opt-out requests on your end.

4. Subscription Status & Consent
• U.S. regulations often require express consent for any text messages, particularly if they contain marketing or promotional content.
• If your messages are purely informational (rent reminders, maintenance notifications), you still need prior express consent but it may fall under “transactional” or “service” categories, which tend to be viewed more favorably by carriers.

5. Message Frequency & Volume
• Estimate how many messages you plan to send per day/week/month.
• Providing realistic volume estimates helps carriers see that you’re not spamming recipients.

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5. Provide Accurate and Consistent Information

a. Consistency Is Key

• The details in your Brand registration and Campaign registration should align. If the brand is “XYZ Property Management, Inc.”, the campaign use case should align with “XYZ” managing properties and contacting renters.

b. Use Realistic Sample Messages

• Don’t provide a generic placeholder. Give Twilio a real example of how you’ll address tenants, mention rent due dates, property announcements, etc.
• Keep the language professional, and consider including placeholders like TenantName or PropertyName.

TenantNameTenant Name

PropertyNameProperty Name

c. Maintain a Clear, Easy Opt-Out

• Most carriers will also screen your sample messages for instructions on how to stop receiving messages. Consider including a line like:“Reply STOP to opt out of these messages.”
 

Ways to Prove SMS Subscriber Opt-Ins on Your Website

Add opt-in language to your contact forms, with a required checkbox.

See below for sample language.



Add opt-in language and opt out language to your terms of service.

See below for sample opt-in language: Reply STOP to opt out. To stop receiving messages from [Company Name], reply STOP, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE.

 

If you have a Chat widget to your website.

A chat widget must also have opt-in language included, so anyone who messages you through it is a confirmed opt-in. It is also highly visible on your website, and the folks approving registrations appreciate that.

 



 

Add Opt-In Language on Forms

Here are examples of opt-in language we have seen be approved by DCAs. We cannot guarantee results, but we do recommend using the samples below or some variation of them.

Note: We are not lawyers, and this does not constitute legal advice.

 

By texting us, you agree to receive text messages at the number provided. Standard message and data rates apply.

By checking this box you agree to receive text messages at the number provided.

I wish to receive text messages at the number provided. Standard message/data rates apply.

Lease Agreements

You may add the same laguage above to your lease agreement to further demonstrate compliance. These are acceptable, but they must include opt-in language, and we will need to upload a picture of the form with your 10DLC campaign registration.

 

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6. Comply with Content and Frequency Standards

To avoid filtering or rejections:

1. No SPAM or SHOCK Content
• Avoid sending unsolicited marketing or irrelevant content.
• Carriers are more likely to block campaigns that appear suspicious or spammy.
2. Avoid High Volume Surges
• If you plan to send a large batch of messages, try to space them out or use Twilio’s recommended send rate to avoid carrier spam flags.
• If you need to send high-volume campaigns (e.g., announcements to hundreds of tenants), consider using Twilio’s Messaging Services with queueing and concurrency controls.
3. Follow Carrier and CTIA Guidelines
• For instance, CTIA guidelines require you to promptly remove or block messages to numbers that have opted out.
• You should also provide a help or support response for “HELP”.

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7. Monitor Your Registration Status

After submission, Twilio may take a few days to review your application. You can monitor status in the Trust Hub or A2P 10DLC section of your Twilio console. If there’s a problem:

• Incomplete or Rejected: Twilio typically provides a reason (e.g., mismatch in company data, unclear opt-in, suspicious use case).
• Fix and Resubmit: Correct any highlighted issues and resubmit.

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8. Post-Registration Best Practices

4. Use One Campaign per Use Case
• If you plan to send purely transactional messages (rent reminders) and also marketing or promotional messages (new property offerings), you may need to register separate campaigns. Carriers sometimes filter content that doesn’t match the registered use case.
5. Maintain Updated Opt-In Records
• Keep track of how each phone number consented. If there’s ever a complaint, having these records can protect you.
6. Audit Your Messages
• Regularly review the types of messages you’re sending to ensure they match what you told Twilio.
• If your content or messaging frequency changes significantly, update your campaign.
7. Stay Within Twilio’s (and Carriers’) Guidelines
• Review Twilio’s Acceptable Use Policy for anything that might be deemed spam, fraud, or illegal.

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9. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

8. Mismatch Between Brand and Campaign
• Make sure the brand name used in registration is exactly the same as your official legal name (and matches your website/marketing materials).
9. Missing Opt-Out Instructions
• Even though Twilio handles “STOP” by default, carriers expect to see that you’re aware of and can handle it on your end as well.
10. Vague or Misleading Sample Messages
• Provide clarity about your use case. If you say “We will send property-related updates,” but then actually send marketing blasts for unrelated businesses, carriers may block you.
11. Unverified or Suspicious Company Information
• Double-check your EIN, address, and website details. If something doesn’t look legitimate, carriers might reject your brand registration.
12. High Complaint Rates
• Once you start sending messages, if carriers receive multiple spam complaints or if your recipients frequently reply “STOP,” it can flag your campaign. Ensure you only message people who have given explicit consent.

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Summary

Registering for Twilio’s 10DLC can be straightforward if you:

13. Provide accurate, consistent brand and company details.
14. Clearly outline your messaging purpose and audience.
15. Demonstrate proper opt-in and opt-out compliance.
16. Supply realistic sample messages related to renting or property management.
17. Keep an eye on your registration status and be ready to adjust any details if Twilio requests more information.

By following the best practices above, you will greatly increase your chances of a smooth approval process. Once approved, continue to send messages responsibly and lawfully to maintain high trust scores and avoid filtering issues.

 

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