SMS & Compliance
How to Get A2P 10DLC Approved in GoHighLevel (Step-by-Step)
Unregistered business texts to US numbers get blocked or filtered. This step-by-step guide to GoHighLevel A2P 10DLC registration shows exactly what carriers want to see, so you can get approved on the first try.
Abdul Moeez Hassan, Lead GHL Specialist
Updated
9 min read
Key takeaways
- US carriers require A2P 10DLC registration for business texting from standard 10-digit numbers. Unregistered traffic gets blocked or heavily filtered.
- Registration has two parts: your brand (who the business is) and your campaign (what you will text, to whom, and how they opted in).
- Most rejections come from fixable issues: business details that don't match IRS records, a website missing a privacy policy or SMS terms, or an opt-in form without clear consent language.
- Approval typically takes days to a few weeks. Preparing everything before you submit is the fastest path.
What A2P 10DLC is and why carriers require it
A2P stands for application-to-person: messages sent from software, like GoHighLevel, to a person. That is different from person-to-person texting from your own phone. 10DLC means 10-digit long code, which is simply a standard local US phone number.
US carriers created the 10DLC system to cut down on spam and make business texting traceable. Every business that sends A2P texts from a 10DLC number has to register its brand and each messaging use case with The Campaign Registry (TCR), an industry registry that carriers rely on to vet senders.
What happens if you skip it? Carriers now block or heavily filter unregistered A2P traffic to US numbers, so your appointment reminders and lead follow-ups may never arrive. Registered senders also get better deliverability and throughput.
Does this apply to you?
If you text US phone numbers from a US local number inside GoHighLevel, yes. Toll-free numbers and short codes have their own separate verification processes.
LC Phone A2P vs your own Twilio account
If your sub-account uses LC Phone, HighLevel's built-in phone system, you complete A2P registration directly inside GoHighLevel. If you connected your own Twilio account instead, registration is generally handled in Twilio's console.
Brand vs campaign registration
A2P registration happens in two layers. You register your brand once, then register one or more campaigns under it. Both must be approved before your numbers can send registered traffic.
| Brand registration | Campaign registration | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Verifies who your business is | Describes what you will send and how people opt in |
| Key information | Legal business name, EIN, business type, address, website, authorized contact | Use case, campaign description, sample messages, opt-in flow, opt-out and help language |
| Most common failure | Name or EIN doesn't match IRS records | Missing consent language or a vague opt-in description |
| Fees | One-time registration fee, passed through | Vetting fee plus a recurring monthly fee, passed through |
Sole proprietor A2P
If your business has no EIN, you can use the sole proprietor brand type. It is verified with the owner's personal details and a confirmation sent to the owner's mobile phone. It comes with tight limits: typically a single campaign, very few phone numbers and lower daily volume.
If you do have an EIN, register as a standard business. The sole proprietor option is meant for genuinely unregistered individuals, and using it when you have an EIN is a common reason for rejection.
What you need before you start
Most of the work happens before you open the form.
1. Business identity details
- Your legal business name exactly as it appears on your IRS EIN letter, including punctuation and suffixes like LLC or Inc.
- Your EIN, business type and industry.
- A business address that matches your registration records.
- An authorized contact, ideally with an email address on your business domain rather than a free email account.
2. A compliant website
Reviewers visit your website. It needs to be live, clearly show your business name, explain what you do and list contact details. It also needs:
- A privacy policy that states mobile information will not be shared with or sold to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
- SMS terms covering your program name, what messages people will receive, message frequency, "Message and data rates may apply", how to opt out (reply STOP), how to get help (reply HELP) and a link to your privacy policy.
3. A compliant opt-in form
Your lead capture form must show clear consent language next to the phone field or submit button. Best practice is an unchecked, optional checkbox dedicated to SMS consent. For example:
By checking this box, I agree to receive text messages from [Business Name] about appointments, updates and offers at the phone number provided. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. See our Privacy Policy and Terms.
4. Sample messages and opt-out language
Write at least two realistic sample messages that match your use case. Include your business name and opt-out language. For example:
Hi [First Name], this is Bright Smile Dental. Your cleaning is confirmed for Tuesday at 2pm. Reply C to confirm or call us to reschedule. Reply STOP to opt out.
GoHighLevel A2P 10DLC registration, step by step
HighLevel updates its interface regularly, so treat the menu names below as a map rather than exact clicks.
Step 1: Open the A2P section in the sub-account
Registration happens at the sub-account (location) level, not the agency level. Go to Settings and look for the phone numbers or phone system area, or the Trust Center. You will usually see an A2P or 10DLC registration prompt or a status banner.
Step 2: Choose your brand type
Pick a standard business registration if you have an EIN, or sole proprietor if you don't.
Step 3: Enter your business details
Copy your legal name, EIN and address exactly from your IRS records. Only fill in stock ticker fields if your company is publicly traded. Small typos are a top cause of brand failures.
Step 4: Submit the brand and wait for verification
Brand checks are often automated and quick, but some brands need additional review.
Step 5: Create your campaign
Choose the use case that matches what you will actually send, such as customer care, account notifications, marketing or a mixed use case. Write a clear campaign description: who you are, who you will text, and why.
Step 6: Describe your opt-in (message flow)
This is the field most people underwrite. Explain exactly how a contact gives consent, include the public URL of your opt-in form, and quote the consent language they see. If people also opt in on paper or verbally, describe that process too. The reviewer must be able to verify it.
Step 7: Add sample messages, opt-out and help responses
Paste your sample messages and confirm your STOP and HELP language. GoHighLevel handles standard opt-out keywords automatically, but your campaign still needs to describe them.
Step 8: Declare content attributes honestly
You will be asked whether messages include links, phone numbers, age-gated content or lending offers. Answer accurately. If you will send links, include one in a sample message.
Step 9: Submit and confirm your numbers are attached
After approval, check that your phone numbers are linked to the approved campaign and that the status shows as active before you launch any SMS workflows.
A2P 10DLC rejected? Common reasons and fixes
Rejection messages are often generic. In our experience, the cause is almost always one of these.
| Rejection reason | What it usually means | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Brand information mismatch | Name, EIN or address doesn't match IRS records | Use the exact legal name and address from your EIN letter |
| Website can't be verified | Site is down, under construction, or doesn't match the brand | Publish a live site with your business name, services and contact details |
| Privacy policy issues | No statement about not sharing mobile information | Add the no-sharing clause for mobile data and SMS consent |
| Non-compliant opt-in | No consent language, pre-checked box, or form can't be found | Add full disclosure and an unchecked SMS consent checkbox on a public page |
| Vague message flow | Reviewer can't see how contacts opt in | Describe each step, include the form URL and quote the consent text |
| Samples don't match use case | Promotional samples on a customer care campaign, or no brand name | Rewrite samples to match the use case and include your business name |
| Public link shorteners | Generic shortened links look like spam | Use full links or links on your own branded domain |
| Restricted content | Industries such as cannabis, firearms or high-risk lending | Some content can't be registered; others need extra vetting |
When you resubmit, fix every item on this list, not only the one named in the rejection. Each round trip costs you more days.
How long A2P approval takes
Timelines vary and are outside GoHighLevel's control. Brand verification is often quick. Campaign review is manual and typically takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on registry and carrier queues. Every rejection resets part of that clock.
While you wait, build your pipelines, calendars and SMS workflows so they are ready the moment you are approved. Our guide to 10 GoHighLevel workflow automations every business needs is a good place to start. Just don't send bulk texts from unregistered numbers in the meantime.
Staying compliant after approval
Carriers monitor traffic, and campaigns can be suspended if what you send doesn't match what you registered.
- Stay within your use case. If you registered for appointment reminders and start sending promotions, update your campaign or register a new one.
- Honor opt-outs immediately. GoHighLevel marks contacts who reply STOP as do-not-disturb for SMS. Never re-add them manually.
- Keep consent records. Form submissions in GoHighLevel are stored on the contact record, so keep your forms as the main entry point.
- Keep your website and policies live. Removing them later can cause problems at re-review.
- Respect sending hours. Avoid texting late at night or early in the morning, and be aware that some states have specific quiet-hour rules.
The same applies to AI. If you use GoHighLevel Conversation AI to reply to leads by text, its replies must stay within your registered use case. New to the platform? Start with what GoHighLevel is and how it works.
This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need A2P 10DLC registration to send texts in GoHighLevel?
Yes, if you send texts to US phone numbers from a standard US 10-digit number. Carriers block or heavily filter unregistered business texting, so registration is required for reliable delivery whether you use LC Phone or your own Twilio account.
Why was my A2P 10DLC campaign rejected?
The most common reasons are business details that do not match IRS records, a website without a privacy policy or SMS terms, an opt-in form without clear consent language, a vague description of how contacts opt in, and sample messages that do not match the selected use case. Fix every issue before resubmitting, not just the one named in the rejection.
How long does A2P 10DLC approval take in GoHighLevel?
Brand verification is often quick, while campaign review typically takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on registry and carrier queues. Each rejection and resubmission adds more time, so preparing your website, opt-in form and sample messages in advance is the fastest route.
Can I register as a sole proprietor without an EIN?
Yes. Businesses without an EIN can use the sole proprietor brand type, which is verified with the owner's details and a confirmation sent to their mobile phone. It comes with tighter limits, such as a single campaign, very few phone numbers and lower sending volume. If your business has an EIN, register as a standard brand instead.
Is there a fee for A2P registration in GoHighLevel?
Yes. The registry and carriers charge brand registration and campaign vetting fees, plus a recurring monthly campaign fee, and these are passed through to your account. Exact amounts change over time, so check the current figures shown in your GoHighLevel account or phone provider before you submit.
Get approved and start texting
GoHighLevel A2P 10DLC approval is mostly about preparation: matching business details, a compliant website, a clear opt-in form and honest sample messages. Get those right and the registration itself takes minutes.
If you'd rather not spend weeks going back and forth with rejections, our team can handle it for you as part of our GoHighLevel setup services. Book a free GoHighLevel consultation and we'll review your current registration status and tell you exactly what to fix.