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HighLevel A2P 10DLC Registration and Toll-Free Number Verification Guide

Doug

Tech Stack Integrator

If you’re looking to register for A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code) in HighLevel, this guide will walk you through the exact steps you need to take to ensure you aren’t declined for violating any of the requirements. I’ve successfully gone through this process many times for clients, and if you follow these steps correctly, you’ll avoid unnecessary delays and rejections.

Additionally, if you’d rather avoid the A2P 10DLC process altogether, I’ll also show you an easier alternative using toll-free numbers (my personal preference).

Step 1: Preparing Your Business Profile in HighLevel

Before registering for A2P 10DLC, you need to complete your business profile in HighLevel. This ensures that all necessary information is pre-filled when you begin the registration process.

How to Complete Your Business Profile

  1. Go to Settings → Business Profile.
  2. Enter your legal business name exactly as it appears on your tax documents.
    • This should match your EIN registration.
    • If your business is “Demo Business LLC”, make sure you include the LLC.
  3. Enter your EIN (Employer Identification Number).
    • If you don’t have one, you will not be approved.
    • Sole proprietors used to be able to register without one, but that has changed.
  4. Choose your business type (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.).
  5. Select your industry (match this to how your business is categorized for tax purposes).
  6. Enter your official business address.
    • This must match the one on your tax documents.
    • DO NOT use a PO Box or Mailbox unless it’s officially on file with the IRS.
  7. Provide the authorized representative information.
    • Use the person listed as the official representative of the business.

✅ By completing this section first, you’ll save time and reduce errors later in the registration process.

Step 2: Registering Your Phone Number for A2P 10DLC

  1. Go to Settings → Phone Numbers.
  2. Purchase a new number (or use an existing one).
    • If you need a local number, enter your desired area code (e.g., 279 for Sacramento).
    • If you need/want a toll-free number, select from 877, 888, 855, etc. (hint: This might be the better choice. More on this later.)
  3. For A2P 10DLC (Local numbers) -> Register your number in the Trust Center.
    • Click Start Registering Now under A2P Messaging.
    • Click Continue to proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Completing the A2P 10DLC Registration Form

After clicking Start Registering Now, you’ll need to fill in your business details. If you completed your Business Profile earlier, this information will automatically populate. This is a great way to avoid errors, but be sure everything is correct.

1. Choose Your Messaging Volume

You have two options:

  • Low Volume (up to 6,000 segments/day)
    • Ideal for most businesses.
    • Lower registration fee ($24) & lower scrutiny.
  • High Volume (up to 600,000 segments/day)
    • More expensive ($68) but allows higher messaging limits.
    • Recommended only for businesses sending thousands of texts per day.

💡 Tip: If you’re unsure, start with Low Volume and upgrade later if needed.

2. Provide Your Campaign Details

This is the an area where people get rejected. Follow these exact steps to ensure approval.

Choosing the Right Campaign Type

  • If you plan to send a mix of reminders, notifications, and promotions, select Low Volume Mixed.
  • If your messages are only for one specific purpose (e.g., two-factor authentication), choose the appropriate category.

Use Case Description

Click See Example at the top right of the box and copy the template provided by HighLevel.

Example:

This campaign sends appointment information, confirmations, and reminders after a customer books a service with [Your Business Name]. Customers opt in via our website.

IMPORTANT: Replace [Your Business Name] with your exact registered name!

Sample Messages

You must provide two examples of the texts you’ll send.

✅ Example 1:

Hi John, this is Sarah from Demo Business LLC. Your appointment is confirmed for tomorrow at 9 AM. Please reply STOP to opt-out.

✅ Example 2:

Hey Brian, this is Jane from Demo Business LLC. I see you missed your appointment. Would you like to reschedule? Reply STOP to opt-out.

📌 Avoid Common Mistakes:

  • The message must include:
    • Customer name (if available).
    • The name of the person sending the message.
    • Your business name exactly as registered.
    • A STOP opt-out option.
  • If your sample messages don’t match your campaign description, you may get rejected.

Step 4: How Your Leads Opt-In for Messages

This section is crucial because most rejections happen here.

💡 Copy and modify this template for your opt-in explanation:

End users opt in by visiting [INSERT WEBSITE URL WHERE THEY OPT IN]. They fill in their details and check a box to receive SMS notifications. A separate checkbox is provided for promotional messages.

Important:

  • Your opt-in page must exist before submission.
  • Your form must include two separate checkboxes and both must be OPTIONAL:
    1. One for SMS notification approval.
    2. One for promotional messages (marketing texts).
  • You must display your Privacy Policy & Terms of Service directly under the form (not just in the footer).

✅ Tip: If you need a compliant Terms of Service & Privacy Policy template, and opt-in checkbox content, copy mine below:

Boilerplate Examples Required for A2P and Toll-Free Approval

The following content is available for you to copy and paste and use for your campaigns. Please note that I am not a lawyer. This is not legal or financial advice. This was derived from HighLevel’s support portal documentation available here and here.

Opt-in Form Consent Checkboxes

The following must be included on your opt-in forms, and both must not be required fields:

✅ I consent to receive SMS notifications & alerts from DEMO BUSINESS, LLC for the purpose of appointment reminders. Message frequency varies. Message & data rates may apply. Text HELP for assistance. You can reply STOP to unsubscribe at any time.

✅ I consent to receive occasional marketing communication from DEMO BUSINESS, LLC.

Privacy Policy Language

The following information should be included in your privacy policy.

How [COMPANY NAME] Uses SMS/MMS and Email

  • Email you relevant and timely offers for our products and services;
  • Email you appointment reminders and notifications about booking appointments;
  • Text you about promotional specials you have opted into receiving;
  • Text you appointment reminders and notifications about booking appointments;
  • Provide timely replies and responses to your email and other requests, including providing ongoing customer service in response to any issues or concerns you may have about our Website or our products, services and/or features;
  • Solicit and request your feedback through email, SMS/text, and telephonic calls; and,
  • Fulfill our legal and/or contractual obligations to you;
  • No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. Information sharing to subcontractors in support services, such as customer service is permitted. All other use case categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

Terms of Use Language

Insert the following into your Terms of Use:

SMS & Text Messaging Terms of Use from [INSERT COMPANY NAME]

  • [INSERT COMPANY NAME] uses SMS and text messaging to send appointment reminders, respond to your inquiries and questions through our website, and inform patients who wish to opt-in about upcoming offers.
  • You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Simply text “STOP” to the shortcode. Upon sending “STOP,” we will confirm your unsubscribe status via SMS. Following this confirmation, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. To rejoin, sign up as you did initially, and we will resume sending SMS messages to you.
  • If you experience issues with the messaging program, reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or reach out directly to [INSERT COMPANY EMAIL HERE].
  • Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
  • As always, message and data rates may apply for messages sent to you from us and to us from you. Message frequency varies. For questions about your text plan or data plan, contact your wireless provider.
  • For privacy-related inquiries, please refer to our privacy policy [INSERT LINK TO PRIVACY POLICY].

Step 5: Submitting & Waiting for Approval

Once all fields are correctly filled out:

  1. Click Submit.
  2. Expect a response within 5 business days.
    • Some approvals happen in 24-48 hours.
    • If you’re waiting over 10 business days, contact HighLevel support.

🚨 What If You Get Rejected?

  • Check your business name formatting.
  • Ensure your sample messages match your use case.
  • Make sure your opt-in process is correctly described.
  • Check the A2P Best practices documentation for common rejection reasons.

Alternative to A2P 10DLC: Using a Toll-Free Number Instead

If A2P 10DLC registration sounds too complicated, or if you get rejected, you can bypass it by using a toll-free number.

Why Choose a Toll-Free Number?

✅ Faster approval (often under 3 days).
✅ Less scrutiny on use cases.
✅ Easier registration process.

How to Register a Toll-Free Number

  1. Go to Phone Numbers → Add Phone Number.
  2. Choose “Toll-Free” and pick a number.
  3. Click “Verify Toll-Free Number”.
  4. Enter the following details:
    • Estimated messages per month (e.g., 1,000).
    • Opt-in method: “Users opt-in via a form on our website.”
    • Link to your opt-in page.
    • Sample messages (same as for A2P 10DLC).

Final Step: Click Submit. Toll-free approvals are usually much faster and easier to get approved, AND there’s no initial signup fee.

Final Thoughts

By following this guide, you should have zero issues getting approved for A2P 10DLC. However, if you want a faster and simpler route, consider registering a toll-free number instead.

✅ A2P 10DLC is ideal for businesses that want a dedicated local number.
✅ Toll-Free verification is the easiest way to start using SMS and most businesses end up using one anyway. Hint: Most people don’t care what number a business texts them from. Do you ever look at the number from your dentist or the restaurant you like to go to? I sure don’t.

Either way, proper setup the first time ensure you aren’t delayed with getting started. 🚀

Need more help? Check out my other HighLevel tutorials!