10DLC Overview

10DLC is the system U.S. wireless carriers use to register organizations and their messaging. If you plan to send texts with ThruText in the U.S., you’ll need to register your organization and messaging use case before sending.


This guide walks through the registration process and what to expect before you can start texting.


TABLE OF CONTENTS



About 10DLC

10DLC stands for 10-digit long code, which is the type of phone number used to send one-to-one, personalized text messages. Organizations that complete 10DLC registration experience high message delivery rates and a lower risk of carrier filtering.

  • Required: Registration is required for organizations using ThruText to message recipients in the U.S. 
  • Who and What: Registration tells carriers who is texting and what they’re texting about
    • Brand Registration verifies who your organization is. 
    • Use Case Registration explains what you plan to send.
  • Message Sending Regulations: 10DLC determines how many messages your organization can send.
  • The Campaign Registry (TCR): The organization that manages Brands and Use Cases for A2P (application‑to‑person) messaging.


What You Need To Do

Complete the following steps to register for 10DLC.


Step 1: Complete Brand Registration

Provide your organization's details to create a "Brand". Your organization's details will be verified against public sources to determine tax-exempt status, vetting score, use case eligibility, and more.


Review our guide for detailed steps: Brand Registration. 


Step 1a:  Add a Campaign Verify Token (Political Entities)

If your organization is a political entity, you will need to obtain a Campaign Verify (CV) Token to complete Brand Registration. Organizations that require a CV token include political campaigns (federal, state, or local), PACs, parties, or similar political organizations. These are 527 political organizations under the IRS tax code. 


If your organization is not a political entity, skip this step.


For more information, read our guide, Campaign Verify.


Step 2: Complete Use Case Registration

Use Case Registration describes the type of text messages your organization plans to send. During registration, you'll select a category that describes your messaging, provide sample messages, and demonstrate how users can sign up to receive text messages.


Our guide, Use Case Registration, has more information on this step.


Carriers require organizations to provide an opt-in method for receiving text messages. The most common method is with a form on your organization's website that includes a phone number field and a disclaimer about signing up for text messages. Websites are manually reviewed by a third-party to ensure that all requirements are met.


Review our guide, Website Requirements for Manual Vetting, for detailed information on these requirements. 


Step 3: GetThru Pre-Vetting

After you submit your Use Case, GetThru staff review your registration before sending it for third-party vetting. A member of the GetThru team will contact you directly if you need to update any information before the registration can move forward.


Step 4: Manual Vetting

After GetThru Staff has approved your use case registration, it will be submitted to a third party for Manual Vetting. Manual Vetting is estimated to take 3–12 business days. It is important to build this time into your launch plan.


If your registration is rejected, you'll work with GetThru Staff directly to determine what may be needed for approval. After edits have been made, GetThru can appeal the rejection. If approved, you're all set to start texting.


Step 5: Review Throughput - Sending Limits

After approval, the Compliance page will show you how many messages you can send per day or per minute to contacts of different carriers. For more information, read our guide, 10DLC Sending Limits - Throughput and Queuing.


FAQ

  • How long does registration take?
    • The full registration process takes at least 1 business day. Same-day approval is unlikely.
    • Brand Registration typically takes a few minutes to an hour after submission. In rare cases, approval may take longer.
    • Use Case Registration is manually reviewed by a third-party vetting team, which is estimated to take 3-12 business days.
  • Do I need opt in to text in ThruText?
    • Carriers require an opt‑in mechanism on your website for Use Case approval. ThruText does not require opt‑in to send, but we strongly recommend following our opt‑in guidance for best results. Read more about this here: 10DLC Opt-ins Overview.
  • Can I text on behalf of another organization?
  • Is there anything different for organizations outside the U.S.?
    • If you are sending to U.S. recipients: you'll need a U.S. GetThru account and you will need to register with your Canadian Business Number or UK Companies House Registration Number. Please contact support@getthru.io if you need to register for 10DLC with this information.
    • If you are sending to UK recipients: you'll need to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) registration. For more information, read our guide: UK Texting: Understanding Know Your Customer (KYC) Requirements.
    • If you are sending to Canadian recipients: there is no required registration before you can text.
  • Where is the Brand & Use Case Registration page?
    • Brand and Use Case registration now appears on the Compliance page, and the Brand & Use Case Registration page is no longer available.