> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.clarky.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# A2P 10DLC Registration

> Register your business to send compliant SMS in the United States

<Info>
  **Plan availability:** Standard or higher. See [Plans & Billing](/features/settings/plans).
</Info>

A2P 10DLC ("Application-to-Person on 10-digit long codes") is the registration program every US business has to complete before sending text messages to customers. Clarky walks you through it on the **Texting** settings page and previews exactly what to copy into Twilio.

## Why It's Required

US mobile carriers require every business that texts consumers to register their brand and the kinds of messages they plan to send. The goal is to cut down on spam and to give customers a reliable way to opt out.

<Warning>
  If you send messages without registering, carriers will filter or block your texts and Twilio may suspend your number. Complete A2P registration before launching any SMS use case.
</Warning>

## What You'll Need

Before you start, gather:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Business identity" icon="briefcase">
    Legal business name as it appears on your IRS EIN documents, plus a DBA / brand name if you use one.
  </Card>

  <Card title="EIN entity type" icon="id-card">
    Whether your business is a private company, public company, non-profit, sole proprietor, or government entity.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Website" icon="globe">
    A live website with a Privacy Policy and Terms of Service page. Required.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Support contacts" icon="headset">
    A support email and phone number customers can reach you at.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Industry" icon="tag">
    The vertical that best describes your business (healthcare, retail, real estate, etc.).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use case details" icon="message">
    What kind of messages you'll send (marketing, customer care, or both), how often, and how customers opt in.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Filling Out the Form

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick your business entity type">
    This must match the entity type on your IRS EIN documentation exactly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your business name and DBA">
    If your customers know you by a different name than your legal name, mark "Yes, I use a DBA" and provide the public brand name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe your business">
    A few sentences about what you do. Click **Generate from Knowledge** to have Clarky draft a description from your agent's knowledge base — you can edit it from there.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick an industry">
    Search the list and choose the industry that best fits. Healthcare verticals trigger an extra HIPAA reminder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add website and support details">
    Make sure your site has reachable Privacy Policy and Terms of Service pages before submitting.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how customers opt in">
    Website form, paper form, Facebook lead form, QR code, kiosk, or verbal. Pick whichever matches reality.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick message types">
    Most businesses send both marketing and customer care messages. Selecting both keeps you flexible.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a campaign use case">
    "Low Volume Mixed" is the recommended option for most small businesses.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a message frequency">
    Pick a slightly higher tier than you think you need to stay compliant if volume grows.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Clarky stores your registration, generates a compliant opt-in form for you, and shows the exact Twilio fields to copy in the live preview panel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Live Twilio Preview

As you fill out the form, Clarky shows the exact text to paste into each Twilio field on the right side of the page:

* A2P Campaign Use Case
* Campaign Description
* Two sample messages
* Consent description ("How do end-users consent?")
* Privacy Policy and Terms of Service URLs
* Opt-in keywords, opt-in message, STOP response, HELP response

Click any field to copy it, then paste it into the matching field in the [Twilio A2P onboarding](https://console.twilio.com/us1/develop/sms/regulatory-compliance/a2p-onboarding) console.

## Approval Timing

Once submitted to Twilio, brand verification typically takes a few business days, and campaign approval typically takes another few days on top of that. Carriers occasionally take longer during high-volume periods.

<Tip>
  Start the registration process before you actually need to send messages. Approval can take a week or more end-to-end.
</Tip>

## Healthcare and HIPAA

If you select a healthcare-related industry, Clarky shows a HIPAA reminder. Never include Protected Health Information (PHI) in SMS — appointment reminders and replies should stay generic ("You have an appointment tomorrow at 2 PM" rather than anything diagnostic).

<Card title="Back to Texting Settings" icon="message" href="/features/settings/texting">
  Return to Texting Settings
</Card>