What Is 10DLC? Registration, Requirements, and Messaging

10DLC lets you send high-volume text messages to US phone numbers from a regular 10-digit local number without your messages getting filtered as spam. This article explains what 10DLC is, why US carriers require it, and what registering gets you. If you text US contacts through CallHub, start here before creating your first texting campaign.

Before you start

• This applies to you only if you send SMS or MMS to US numbers. If you don't text the US, you don't need to do anything.
• Full 10DLC registration (covered in Register Brand and Use case) typically takes 4–6 business days for approval.

⚠ 10DLC registration is mandatory for all organizations sending application-to-person (A2P) texts to US numbers. Sending unregistered traffic risks carrier filtering, blocked messages, and fines; see 10DLC Sending limits, Carrier penalties, and Compliance.

What 10DLC means

10DLC stands for 10-Digit Long Code, a standard 10-digit phone number that US carriers have approved for high-volume, application-to-person (A2P) messaging.

Historically, regular 10-digit numbers were only permitted for person-to-person (P2P) texting. Organizations that needed volume used shortcodes (like 12345) or shared numbers instead. Shortcodes are expensive, and shared numbers made it impossible for carriers to tell who was responsible when spam went out, so deliverability suffered for everyone.

10DLC fixes this: you register your organization (your Brand) and the purpose of your messages (your use case) with carriers through The Campaign Registry (TCR). In return, carriers treat your traffic as verified and legitimate.

What you get by registering

• Better deliverability — Registered traffic is far less likely to be filtered or marked as spam, so more of your messages actually reach contacts.
• Higher sending throughput — You can send more messages per second than an unregistered number allows, which matters when you're texting thousands of contacts before an event or election day.
• Lower cost than shortcodes — You get high-volume capability at long-code prices.
• Carrier compliance — Registration keeps you on the right side of carrier rules, reducing the risk of blocked campaigns mid-send.
• Audience trust — Messages come from a recognizable local number tied to your verified organization, not an anonymous shared code.

How 10DLC compares to shortcodes

Who's involved in the 10DLC system

• Your Brand — Your organization, identified by its federal tax ID (EIN), so carriers can tie every message to a real, accountable entity.
• The Campaign Registry (TCR) — The central registry that tracks all 10DLC Brands and use cases and enforces the rules.
• Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) — Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, who set your delivery speed (messages per second) based on your Brand and message type.
• Third-party vetting partners — Organizations such as Aegis Mobile and WMC Global that verify your Brand and assign a Trust Score (10–100). The higher your score, the higher your throughput. Political organizations are vetted by Campaign Verify instead.
• Campaign Service Providers (CSPs) — Platforms like CallHub that register your numbers, manage your campaigns, and keep you compliant.

How registration works (at a glance)

Registration happens in three stages; each has its own detailed guide:

1. Brand registration and vetting — You submit your organization's details (EIN, sector, website, email, phone). Once verified, vetting partners assign your Trust Score. See Register Brand and Use case.
2. Campaign Verify (political organizations, PACs, and 527s only) — You get vetted by Campaign Verify and obtain a token before registering a political use case. See Campaign Verify.
3. Use case registration — You declare the purpose of your messages (marketing, fundraising, political, mixed, etc.). Approval depends on your description, opt-in methods, and sample messages matching what you actually send. See Choose your use case.

ⓘ Vetting (and the Trust Score) applies to non-political use cases. Political Brands go through Campaign Verify instead.

✓ TIP: Most registration rejections come from mismatched details, an EIN that doesn't exactly match your legal business name, a non-compliant opt-in method, or a use case description that doesn't match your sample messages. Get your paperwork in order first; see Avoiding Common Registration Mistakes.

FAQs

Do I have to register even if I only send a few texts?
Yes. 10DLC registration is mandatory for all organizations sending A2P messages to US numbers, regardless of volume.

How long does approval take?
Typically 4–6 business days. Political use cases take longer because Campaign Verify vetting happens first.

What is a Trust Score and can I see mine?
It's a 10–100 score assigned to your Brand during vetting, based on your organization's web presence, reputation, and line of business. It directly determines your messaging throughput: higher score, faster sending.

What does registration cost?
There are one-time vetting fees plus use case charges. See 10DLC charges: What you pay and when for the full breakdown.

Next steps

• Ready to register? Start with Register Brand and Use case.
• Collecting phone numbers? Make sure your forms comply; see Opt-ins and CTA.
• Political organization, PAC, or 527? See Campaign Verify first.