A2P SMS Compliance: Get Your Phone Numbers Registered

A2P (Application-to-Person) SMS compliance is now required for businesses sending text messages in the United States. Here's what you need to know.

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What Is A2P 10DLC?

A2P 10DLC is a system that registers your business and phone numbers with carriers:

A2P — Application-to-Person messaging
10DLC — 10-Digit Long Code (standard phone numbers)

Why Registration Matters

Without registration:

Messages may be blocked or filtered
Delivery rates drop significantly
You risk carrier penalties
Customers don't receive your texts

With registration:

Better deliverability
Higher throughput limits
Carrier trust
Compliant messaging

Compliance Requirements

Opt-In Process

You must have clear opt-in from contacts:

Checkbox on forms
Clear language about what they're signing up for
Easy opt-out instructions

Message Content

Include required elements:

Business identification
Opt-out instructions (STOP to unsubscribe)
No prohibited content

Privacy Policy

Your website needs a privacy policy that covers:

How you collect phone numbers
How you use them
How to opt out

Getting Compliant in HighLevel

Step 1: Register Your Brand

Submit your business information for verification.

Step 2: Register Your Campaign

Describe how you'll use SMS (marketing, transactional, etc.).

Step 3: Register Phone Numbers

Link your phone numbers to your approved campaign.

Step 4: Update Your Forms

Add proper opt-in language to all forms collecting phone numbers.

Website Compliance Checklist

Before you submit your registration, carriers will verify that your website and opt-in flow meet their requirements. Run through every item — missing even one can get you rejected:

Website is live and error-free — No "coming soon" pages, no broken links. Carriers check your URL during review.
Business name and contact details are visible — Address, email, and phone number displayed on the site.
DBA or alternate business names are disclosed — If you operate under a name different from your legal entity, it needs to be on the site.
Business website URL and opt-in form URL are provided — You'll submit both during registration. Make sure they're publicly accessible.
Opt-in method is clearly shown — Whether it's a website form, QR code, or paper form, the carrier needs to see how contacts give consent.
Opt-in flow includes all required disclosures — Message purpose, frequency, STOP/HELP instructions, and consent language must all be visible before the contact submits.
Privacy Policy is published and accessible from the opt-in flow — Not buried in a footer on a different page. Link it directly from or near your opt-in form.
Terms of Service are published and accessible — Another page carriers expect to find on your website.
No references to purchased, rented, or affiliate lead lists — If your site mentions buying leads anywhere, that's an automatic rejection. Carriers want to see organic opt-in only.

Most rejections come from missing one of these items — not from the actual SMS content. Get the website right first, and the registration usually sails through.

Struggling With Approvals?

The standard HighLevel registration process uses Twilio infrastructure, which means multiple review layers that can delay approvals for weeks. If you're stuck in approval limbo or getting rejected for unclear reasons, you have options:

SignalHouse — An alternative phone provider with faster 10DLC approvals (typically under 48 hours) and built-in compliance tools that auto-generate the opt-in language and privacy policy text carriers require.
A2P Wizard — A done-for-you registration service. Their team handles the entire brand and campaign registration process for you. Most approvals come back in 24-48 hours, and they guarantee approval or your money back.