Toll-free number verification
- What is a toll-free number verification?
- User consent requirements
- Verification guide
- Common rejection triggers
- FAQ
What is a toll-free number verification?
The toll-free number (TFN) verification is a mandatory industry-wide process that whitelists your text messaging traffic with the toll-free messaging aggregator. It ensures message deliverability and helps combat spam.
Toll-free number verification is free. It usually takes up to 5 business days. It’s important to wait until the verification process is complete before sending texts.
User consent requirements
To comply with the toll-free verification rules, before you send text messages through Textmagic, you must have permission from each person you contact. This is called opt-in consent. It proves that users agreed to receive your messages and understand what they are signing up for.
When you start your Toll-Free verification, you’ll be asked to explain your opt-in process in detail and provide screenshots or other visual proof showing how users give consent. This step is mandatory for approval.
Learn more in the full guide on acceptable consent methods.
Example: View a compliant online subscribe form.
Verification guide
You can submit a toll-free verification form here. The single most important practice is ensuring that you have accurate and reliable opt-ins — meaning you only send texts to people who have explicitly agreed to receive messages from your company.
When completing the form, make sure you select the correct use case, provide proof of consent for that specific use case, and ensure that your sample messages match both the use case and the opt-in method.
Brand registration
To register your brand, please complete the form with the requested information about your organization. This process verifies your brand for compliance with carrier requirements and enables approved messaging via toll-free numbers.
| Step | Required information |
|---|---|
| Organization details | Legal name: The full, official name of your organization. Brand name (if different): The public-facing or trade name of your organization. Legal form: Select your business type (e.g., Corporation, LLC, Sole Proprietorship, Non-Profit Organization). Website: Enter the official URL of your business website. Vertical / Industry: Choose the category that best represents your organization’s activity. Business registration number (EIN):Provide your tax or registration ID in the correct format (XX-XXXXXXX). |
| Organization address | Provide your registered business address, including street, city, postal/ZIP code, state or region, and country. |
| Point of contact | First and last name: The primary contact person for your toll-free registration. Phone number: A valid number where you can be reached for verification. Email address: Email must be associated with your brand by domain or prefix. Examples: [email protected] or [email protected]. |
Campaign registration
To complete toll-free verification, provide information about your messaging use case and opt-in process. This ensures that your campaign meets industry compliance requirements.
| Step | Required information |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Campaign details | Use case: Select the use case that best fits your text messaging activity (e.g., Notifications, Customer Care, Marketing, Auctions, etc.). Campaign description: Clearly describe what types of messages you will send, who you will send them to, and the purpose of the communication. Example: “We send payment confirmations, order updates, and service notifications to customers who have opted in through our website.” Estimated monthly message volume: Provide an approximate monthly message count (e.g., 100 messages). Canadian traffic: Indicate whether you plan to send messages to Canada. |
| Step 2: Opt-in flow | Consent: Explain how recipients opt in to receive your messages (e.g., “Customers tick a box on our website to confirm they agree to receive texts.”). Opt-in screenshot: Upload an image that demonstrates your opt-in process (e.g., sign-up page, web form, or checkbox). Supporting documentation or link: Provide additional proof or a link showing where opt-ins occur (e.g., https://app.textmagic.com/widget/subscribe/02c35c5f3f9d0f9). Privacy Policy and Terms URLs: Include your website links for SMS terms and privacy policy. Learn more in the full guide on acceptable consent methods. |
| Step 3: Sample messages | Provide 1–3 examples of messages you plan to send. Example:
|
Review and summary
In the final step of your toll-free registration, review all the provided information for accuracy. Confirm your organization details, campaign description, opt-in flow, and sample messages.
Once everything is correct, click Submit registration to send your toll-free verification request for review.
What happens next?
- Approval process: The toll-free verification review typically takes 5–7 business days. This process is handled by carrier partners, and Textmagic cannot expedite it.
- Notification of status: You will receive an email update once your toll-free verification is approved or if additional information is needed.
- Check progress: You can view your verification status anytime from the Toll-Free registration page in your Textmagic account.
Once you submit the form, Textmagic will review it and forward to the toll-free messaging aggregator within 24 hours. It may take up to 5 business days to complete the verification process before you can start texting from your toll-free numbers.
Common rejection triggers
- Can’t validate your website or brand: This can happen if your website is private, empty, or mismatched with your legal business name. Fix DNS/visibility settings or link to a public company or LinkedIn page.
- Vague or mismatched description vs. sample messages: For example, registering “notifications” but submitting promotional samples. Ensure your campaign description and sample messages are fully aligned.
- Weak or missing opt-in proof: Applications without a valid URL, screenshot, or proper consent (e.g., pre-checked boxes or missing STOP/HELP/frequency disclosure) are rejected. Provide clear opt-in evidence and correct the form before submission.
- Policy violations: Avoid SHAFT content (sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, tobacco), purchased contact lists, or affiliate lead-generation traffic without explicit consent. Remove these from your campaign scope.
- Use of public link shorteners: URLs like bit.ly or tinyurl are not allowed. Always use branded or domain-specific links in your messages and opt-in flows.
FAQ
How do I submit a toll-free number verification form?
Click here to submit a verification form. It is absolutely free. Once you submit the form, it will be reviewed by Textmagic and forwarded to the messaging aggregator within 24 hours.
If there are no issues with the form, it may take up to 5 business days before you receive a final verification status.
What information should I include in my Privacy Policy?
Your Privacy Policy should:
- Explain what personal information you collect and how you use it.
- State that mobile opt-in information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
- Be publicly accessible through a valid URL hosted on your business domain.
For more guidance, see our sample SMS Privacy Policy. Before using the Textmagic sample, customize it with your company’s information and consult with your lawyer to ensure it meets all applicable legal requirements.
What information should I include in my SMS Terms and Conditions?
Your SMS Terms and Conditions can be included as a separate section in your general Terms and Conditions or published as a standalone document. They must be separate from your SMS opt-in consent language.
They should include:
- Your program or brand name and a description of the messaging program.
- A “Message and data rates may apply” disclosure.
- Message frequency or a recurring message disclosure.
- Customer support contact information.
- Clear HELP and STOP instructions.
- A link to your Privacy Policy.
- A statement that carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
- Be publicly accessible through a valid URL hosted on your business domain.
For more guidance, see our sample SMS Terms. Before using the Textmagic sample, customize it with your company’s information and consult with your lawyer to ensure it meets all applicable legal requirements.
What happens if I don’t get approved?
If your toll-free number verification failed, it means that you can no longer send text messages to North America. Textmagic support will notify you via email in case this happened and if the resubmission is possible.
Can I edit a form that has already been verified?
If you need to edit the form, please email [email protected].
What toll-free number campaign use cases are prohibited?
Please check below the list of prohibited campaigns that are ineligible for verification.
| High-Risk Financial Services | Get-Rich-Quick Schemes | Debt Forgiveness | Illegal Substances/ Activities | General |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Payday loans Short-term, high-interest loans Auto loans Mortgage loans Student loans Gambling Sweepstakes Stock alerts Cryptocurrency | Debt consolidation Debt reduction Credit repair programs Deceptive work-from-home programs Multi-level marketing | Work-from-home programs Risk investment opportunities Debt collection or consolidation | Cannabis Alcohol Tobacco or vape | Phishing Frauds or scams Real estate related content Deceptive marketing Pornography S.H.A.F.T. content |