This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for registering a Sole Proprietor 10DLC Brand and Campaign in the Telnyx… See Telnyx guidance and requirements.
For small business owners and freelancers without a federal Tax ID (EIN), the Sole Proprietor registration is the required path for sending compliant A2P (Application-to-Person) messages to local US numbers.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have a Telnyx account and at least one local US 10-digit long code (10DLC) number. You must also meet the following criteria:
- You do not have an EIN (Employer Identification Number).
- You are a single individual operating a business.
- You require low-volume messaging (typically 1,000 messages per day).
Step 1: Gather Required Information
Accuracy and consistency are critical for 10DLC approval. Ensure the following details match your legal identity exactly:
- Legal Name: Your full name as it appears on government-issued ID.
- Email Address: A permanent business or personal email (free providers like Gmail are permitted for Sole Proprietors, unlike large corporations).
- Mobile Phone Number: A valid mobile number capable of receiving SMS (required for identity verification).
- Physical Address: Your primary residence or business location (PO Boxes/PMBs are not accepted).
- Website or Social Media: A URL (e.g., LinkedIn, professional Facebook page, or business website) that demonstrates your business's legitimacy.
Step 2: Create a Sole Proprietor Brand
- Log in to the Telnyx Mission Control Portal.
- Navigate to Messaging > 10DLC > Brands.
- Click Create New Brand.
- For Entity Type, select Sole Proprietorship.
- Fill in the information gathered in Step 1.
- Click Save.
Step 3: Brand Verification (OTP PIN Process)
Sole Proprietor brands require a manual verification loop to confirm identity. You must complete the following within 24 hours once the PIN is received:
- Request the PIN: Send an email to 10dlcquestions@telnyx.com stating that you have created a Sole Proprietor brand and need an OTP PIN for verification.
- Receive the PIN: Telnyx will send a unique OTP PIN to the mobile phone number associated with your brand.
- Verify: Email the OTP PIN back to 10dlcquestions@telnyx.com.
- Important: If the PIN is not returned within 24 hours, it will expire, and you will need to restart the brand creation process.
Step 4: Create a 10DLC Campaign
Once your brand status shows as Verified, you can submit your messaging use case for review.
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Navigate to Messaging > 10DLC > Campaigns.
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Click Create New Campaign.
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Select your Sole Proprietor Brand and choose the Sole Proprietor use case.
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Message Flow: Describe how users opt into your messages.
- Example: "Users visit [YourURL.com] and enter their phone number to receive alerts. They must check a box to agree to SMS terms. Consent is not a condition of purchase."
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Sample Messages: Provide at least two examples. These must include your Brand Name and Opt-out instructions (e.g., "Reply STOP to unsubscribe").
Step 5: Assign Numbers to Your Campaign
After the carriers approve your campaign (typically 3–7 business days), you must link your numbers to the campaign to avoid filtered traffic.
- Go to Numbers > My Numbers.
- Select the number(s) you wish to use.
- In the 10DLC section, assign your approved Brand and Campaign.
- Click Save.
Fees and Charges
The following fees are passed through from the carriers for Sole Proprietor registrations:
| Item | Estimated Fee | Frequency |
| Brand Registration | $4.00 | One-time |
| Campaign Vetting | $15.00 | Per submission/resubmission |
| Monthly Maintenance | $2.00 | Monthly |
Additional Resources
- 10DLC Campaign Compliance Requirements
- Guide to 10DLC Message Flow Field
- Frequently Asked Questions about 10DLC
For further assistance, please reach out to 10dlcquestions@telnyx.com.