Understanding A2P 10DLC Registration for Text Messaging

What is A2P 10DLC and the TCR?

A2P 10DLC is a phone number registration process mandated by the United States government through The Campaign Registry (TCR). If you send text messages to families in the U.S., you need to complete this registration to ensure your messages are delivered reliably.

Here's what the terms mean:

• A2P (Application to Person) — Enrollio is the application sending messages to parents and families
• 10DLC (10 Digit Long Code) — The standard U.S. phone number format with 10 digits
• TCR (The Campaign Registry) — The organization that works with mobile carriers to register and verify business text messaging

This registration process helps mobile carriers identify legitimate business messaging and prevents spam, which means better delivery rates for your enrollment messages, tour reminders, and parent communications.

Do I Need to Register?

Here's when you need A2P registration:

You must register if:

• You send text messages to U.S. families using standard 10-digit phone numbers
• You're texting from Canada to U.S. recipients

You don't need to register if:

• You only text families outside the United States or Canada
• You're a Canadian childcare center only texting Canadian families with numbers purchased before March 26, 2025

Canadian centers (CA to CA only):

• Numbers purchased before March 26, 2025: No registration required
• Numbers purchased on or after March 26, 2025: Complete either A2P registration OR Persona verification

Types of Registration

Enrollio offers four registration options. Choose the one that matches your business structure and messaging volume:

Registration Type	Best For	Daily Message Limit	Requirements
Toll-Free Number	Any childcare center — simple process with no Tax ID required	No limit	None — open to all users
Sole Proprietor	Single-owner centers without a Tax ID	3,000 segments	U.S. or Canadian business address; only one employee; no Tax ID or EIN
Low Volume Standard	Centers with a Tax ID sending under 6,000 messages daily	6,000 segments	Valid Tax ID (EIN)
Standard	Centers with a Tax ID sending over 6,000 messages daily	No set limit	Valid Tax ID (EIN)

Detailed Registration Comparison

	Toll-Free	Sole Proprietor	Low Volume Standard	Standard
One-Time Fee	None	$4.41 Brand + $16.54 Campaign	$4.41 Brand + $16.54 Campaign	$48.51 Brand + $16.54 Campaign
Monthly Fee	None	$2.21/month	$1.70/month	$12/month
Phone Numbers Allowed	One per registration	One only	Multiple	Multiple
Daily Message Limit	None	3,000 (1,000 to T-Mobile)	6,000 (2,000 to T-Mobile)	None (restrictions may apply above 200,000)
Potential Drawbacks	May have lower open rates than local numbers	Limited to one number; cannot use with 2+ employees or EIN holders	Daily sending limit	Higher registration costs

Pro Tip: Don't have a Tax ID? Most U.S. businesses can get a free EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS in minutes. If you're a sole proprietor outside the U.S., check if your country provides a business registration number that qualifies.

The Registration Process

Registration happens in three stages. Here's what to expect:

Step 1: Brand Registration

First, you'll register your childcare center as a trusted business. This tells carriers who you are.

1. Navigate to Settings → Phone System → Trust Center
2. Submit your business information (name, address, Tax ID if applicable)
3. Wait for approval (typically 1-3 business days)

If your brand submission is rejected, you'll receive feedback on what needs to be corrected. Update the information and resubmit.

[SCREENSHOT: Trust Center Brand Registration screen showing the business information form]

Step 2: Campaign Registration

After your brand is approved, you'll register your campaign. This tells carriers what type of messages you send.

1. Return to Trust Center
2. Submit details about your messaging use case (enrollment communications, tour reminders, parent notifications, etc.)
3. Wait for campaign approval (typically 1-5 business days)

Your campaign submission must accurately describe how you'll use text messaging with families. Be specific about your use cases.

[SCREENSHOT: Trust Center Campaign Registration screen showing messaging use case options]

Step 3: Carrier Propagation

Once both your brand and campaign are approved, carriers need time to update their systems. This can take up to 3 business days.

During this period, you may see occasional message failures with errors indicating no A2P registration found. This is normal — carriers are still receiving your registration information.

If message failures continue beyond 4 business days after approval, contact Enrollio Support.

Pro Tip: Start sending messages sooner by registering both a Toll-Free and a local number. Submit your Toll-Free registration first (approval often takes just 2 days), then submit your Sole Prop, Low Volume, or Standard registration. You can start texting families with your Toll-Free number while waiting for your local number approval (which typically takes 4-6 weeks). Switch to your local number once it's approved.

Choosing the Right Registration Type

Not sure which registration type fits your center? Use this guide:

Choose Toll-Free if:

• You want to start sending messages quickly with minimal paperwork
• You don't have a Tax ID or EIN
• You're comfortable using a toll-free number (may have slightly lower open rates)
• You want to avoid registration and monthly fees

Choose Sole Proprietor if:

• You're a single-owner center without employees
• You don't have a Tax ID or EIN
• You prefer using a local number for better engagement
• You send fewer than 3,000 messages per day
• You only need one phone number

Choose Low Volume Standard if:

• You have a Tax ID (EIN)
• You send between 3,000-6,000 messages per day
• You want to use local numbers
• You need multiple phone numbers

Choose Standard if:

• You have a Tax ID (EIN)
• You send more than 6,000 messages per day
• You have high-volume enrollment seasons
• You need the highest message throughput

Required Information for Registration

Before starting your registration, gather the following information:

For All Registration Types:

• Business name
• Business address
• Phone number
• Business description
• Website URL (if applicable)

For Low Volume Standard and Standard Registration:

• Tax ID (EIN) or International business registration number
• Business type (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
• Industry classification
• Sample message templates
• Opt-in process description

Avoiding Registration Failures

Follow these best practices to get approved faster:

• Be accurate: Double-check all business information matches your official records
• Be specific: Clearly describe your messaging use cases (tour confirmations, enrollment updates, parent reminders)
• Show opt-in: Explain how families consent to receive your messages
• Use real examples: Provide actual message templates you'll send to families
• Match your website: Ensure your business name and details match what's on your website

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does registration take?

Toll-Free: 2-5 business days
Sole Prop, Low Volume, Standard: 4-6 weeks (but often faster)

Can I send messages while waiting for approval?

No — you must complete registration before sending messages to U.S. families. However, you can register a Toll-Free number to start sending sooner while your local number registration is processing.

What happens if my registration is rejected?

You'll receive specific feedback about what needs to be corrected. Update your submission and resubmit. Common issues include mismatched business information or unclear use case descriptions.

Can I switch registration types later?

Yes — if your messaging needs change, you can submit a new registration type. For example, you might start with Toll-Free and later add a Low Volume Standard registration as your center grows.

Do I need to register every phone number?

Toll-Free and Sole Prop registrations cover one number each. Low Volume Standard and Standard registrations can cover multiple numbers under the same campaign.

What's a "segment" in the daily limits?

A segment is typically 160 characters. If your message is 320 characters, it counts as 2 segments toward your daily limit.

I don't have a Tax ID — what should I do?

U.S. businesses can apply for a free EIN from the IRS online (takes about 15 minutes). Otherwise, use Toll-Free or Sole Proprietor registration, which don't require a Tax ID.