---
notionId: "1d8f0d27c7988066bc56cad60cbb8522"
product: "virtualtext"
cluster: "registration"
intent: "virtualtext.sms-registration"
docSlug: "sms-registration"
task: "Register a number for VirtualText SMS"
title: "Register a number for VirtualText SMS | VirtualPBX"
meta_description: "VirtualText SMS registration is required before a business sends SMS or MMS. An inbound-only use does not need this process. The form covers carrier rules that"
answer: "VirtualText SMS registration is required before a business sends SMS or MMS. An inbound-only use does not need this process. The form covers carrier rules that ask a business to get permission before texting someone the first time. Private companies and sole proprietors with an EIN use these steps. A sole proprietor without a website or an EIN still completes the other requirements. A one-time fee depends on the plan. VirtualText specialists walk through the form with you."
audience: "admin"
updated: "2026-01-01"
legacy: ["sms-registration","local-and-toll-free-phone-number-sms-registration"]
headings: [{"depth":2,"text":"When SMS registration is required","id":"when-sms-registration-is-required"},{"depth":2,"text":"What You’ll Need","id":"what-youll-need"},{"depth":3,"text":"Company and Primary Contact Information","id":"company-and-primary-contact-information"},{"depth":3,"text":"Privacy Policy / Terms & Conditions","id":"privacy-policy--terms--conditions"},{"depth":3,"text":"Opt-In Method and Use-Case","id":"opt-in-method-and-use-case"},{"depth":3,"text":"Keyword","id":"keyword"},{"depth":3,"text":"Website","id":"website"},{"depth":3,"text":"Paper Form","id":"paper-form"}]
lint: []
---

<aside class="note"><p>In order to protect consumers from spam, the Business SMS industry and CTIA guidelines now requires registration for all businesses, regardless of intent or use-case. Here, we’ll prepare you for all the necessary items to complete the registration by the upstream vetting carriers. </p></aside>

## When SMS registration is required

<aside class="note"><p>If you are looking for an inbound-only solution, this process is not required. Please feel free to contact our customer experience team to review your options.</p></aside>

<aside class="note"><p><a href="https://ro.am/virtualpbx/setup">Schedule a meeting with our VirtualText product specialists</a>, where we walk you through the registration form and help you get ready to engage with your customers via SMS &amp; MMS!</p></aside>

The industry has taken a turn to ensure that the consumer base is well informed, and grant permission to receive texts before business SMS using entities text them for the first time. This process covers all of those requirements.

<aside class="note"><p>The below items are for Private Companies, or Sole Proprietors who have an EIN. Sole Proprietors will not need a website or an EIN, but will still have to fulfill the other requirements below. Additionally, if they do have a website that mentions use of more than one employee or contractor, they will need to provide legal documentation showing their Sole Prop status to the carriers to be approved.</p></aside>

 There is a one-time fee to register, and will depend on your plan. [Reach out to us here](https://www.virtualpbx.com/experience/) if you want to confirm your pricing!

## What You’ll Need

### Company and Primary Contact Information

<ul>
<li><p>Company InformationSS4 LetterLegal Company Name, EIN &amp; DBA (Doing Business As), and vertical type</p>
</li>
<li><p>Primary Contact Phone number &amp; Email Address - This is the person in charge of submitting this registration with us generally.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Business Contact Phone Number &amp; Email Address</p>
</li>
</ul>

### Privacy Policy / Terms & Conditions

<aside class="note"><p>You must have a privacy policy or Terms &amp; Conditions pageYou must have a consumer facing privacy policy or T&amp;C page, with its’ own individual URL. A link to this page must appear on your website’s home page. This is typically done at the footer, with a link that says “Privacy Policy” or “Terms and Conditions”The contents of the privacy policy is up to you and your business, but to pass carrier vetting, it must mention that you do not sell mobile opt-in data to third party entities for marketing or promotional purposes. Please note that VirtualPBX is not liable for any modification of your privacy policy.</p></aside>

### Opt-In Method and Use-Case

This is how you plan to use texting with your client/customer base. Examples may be to update delivery notifications, to schedule appointments, to give support on products, for customer questions and answers, etc.

<ul>
<li><p>A list of topics that will generally be used for texting from your account.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Opt-in Method - This is the big one. How will you get your customers to opt in to texting before you text them? There are three typical methods; Keyword, Website, and Paper Form</p>
</li>
</ul>

### Keyword

<aside class="note"><p>Having customers text a keyword to your phone number to opt in, along with a place where they can see the keyword and necessary verbiage.</p></aside>

<ol>
<li><p>Pick the keyword itself. Must be at least 3 characters, all one word. Generic keywords are SUBSCRIBE or START.</p>
</li>
<li><p>There must be a documented way for customers to see your keyword option, with some necessary verbiage. A good place to make this visible could be the Contact page (or similar) on your website, on a form they fill out, on business cards or flyers, posted on a billboard, etc. Replace the Bold/Caps items with your own information. Text KEYWORD to PHONENUMBER to receive informative messages from COMPANYNAME. Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to cancel. Please visit our Privacy Policy and/or Terms and Conditions page for more details at PRIVACYPOLICYURL</p>
</li>
</ol>

### Website

<aside class="note"><p>Have a customer fill out an online form, and check a box to opt in to texting, followed by the necessary verbiage.</p></aside>

<ol>
<li><p>Pick or create a form on your website which includes a phone number field, accompanied by a check box to opt in. Here are the rules for that checkbox and verbiage (Verbiage is further below here)The checkbox and verbiage must be right next to, or below, the phone number fieldThe checkbox must be unchecked by default. The verbiage is as below. Please replace bold/capitalized items with your own personal information. By checking this box, you acknowledge that COMPANYNAME can send you text messages on their behalf. Review our privacy policy and/or terms and conditions at PRIVACYPOLICYURL. Msg &amp; Data Rates apply. Msg Frequency may vary. Text HELP for more info. Reply STOP to opt out.</p>
</li>
</ol>

### Paper Form

<aside class="note"><p>This is mostly common in medical offices, or anywhere where consumers fill out an in-person paper form which includes a check a box to opt in to texting, followed by the necessary verbiage.</p></aside>

<ol>
<li><p>Your paper form likely already has a place where consumers enter their phone number. Here are the rules for Paper Form compliance:The checkbox and verbiage must be right next to, or below, the phone number fieldThe checkbox must be unchecked by default. The verbiage is as below. Please replace bold/capitalized items with your own personal information. By checking this box, you acknowledge that COMPANYNAME can send you text messages on their behalf. Review our privacy policy and/or terms and conditions at PRIVACYPOLICYURL. Msg &amp; Data Rates apply. Msg Frequency may vary. Text HELP for more info. Reply STOP to opt out.</p>
</li>
</ol>