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

# SMS Registration Checklist

> What US carriers check before they approve your 10DLC registration: business details that match your official records, the right opt-in method, and a compliant form if you collect numbers on your website.

US carriers approve an SMS registration (10DLC) when two things check out: your business details match your official records, and you can show how people agree to get your texts. Go through this page before you submit, and again if your registration comes back rejected.

To start the registration itself, see [Set up texting](/en/phone-numbers/sms-setup).

***

## How to pass business verification

Carriers compare what you enter in **Verify your business** with the official records for your company. A mismatch is the usual reason for a rejection at this step.

* **Legal business name**, spelled exactly as it is registered.
* **Tax ID (EIN)** that belongs to that same legal name.
* **Business address** as it appears on the official record.

***

## Which opt-in method to choose

**When in doubt, select Verbal Opt-In.** It has the fewest requirements: your phone number published on your website.

When you explain your messaging use case, Allo asks how people agree to get your texts. Pick the method that matches what you can show.

| Opt-in method       | When it fits                                                                                                          | What you need                                                                         |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Verbal Opt-In**   | You collect numbers when you talk to people, on a call or in person, and tell them what you will text and how to stop | Your phone number published on your website                                           |
| **Web Form**        | People type their number into a form on your website                                                                  | A live form that meets [the web form checklist](#how-to-set-up-a-compliant-web-form)  |
| **Inbound Keyword** | People text a keyword such as JOIN or START after seeing it in an ad, a poster or your website                        | Your number and the SMS consent wording published where people see the call to action |
| **Paper Form**      | People sign a paper or PDF form agreeing to get your texts                                                            | A signed form with the SMS consent wording on it                                      |

<Note>
  **Sending lending messages?** Verbal Opt-In is not available for lending, so pick one of the other three methods.
</Note>

***

## How to set up a compliant web form

This section only applies if you pick **Web Form**. Carriers open the page where people give you their number, for example a contact form, a booking form or a quote request.

Allo writes the SMS consent wording for you. When you pick **Web Form**, the registration shows the exact text to paste next to the phone number field.

<Steps>
  <Step title="A phone number field">
    Clearly labeled as a phone number. The field can be required or optional. If it is required, the SMS consent checkbox must stay optional, so that sending the form never signs someone up for texts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="An SMS consent checkbox">
    * Unchecked by default.
    * Separate from any "I agree to the Terms and Conditions" box. It cannot be combined with another agreement.
    * Specific: the label says what the person agrees to receive. "Text me" or "Contact me" is not enough.
    * Visible on the form, not buried inside your terms or your privacy policy.
    * Optional: people can send the form without checking the box.
  </Step>

  <Step title="A link to your privacy policy, only if needed">
    You only need it if the consent wording on your form does not say that mobile information will not be shared or sold. In that case, your privacy policy must include this sentence, and the link must open the real page:

    ```text theme={null}
    No mobile information will be sold or shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="A working submit button">
    Sending the form must actually record the person's consent.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What to do if your registration was rejected

Allo emails you when a step is rejected, and the email says which one.

* **Business verification failed.** Check your legal name, tax ID and address against [the list above](#how-to-pass-business-verification).
* **Messaging use case rejected.** Check that [your opt-in method](#which-opt-in-method-to-choose) matches what you can show. If you picked Web Form, go through [the web form checklist](#how-to-set-up-a-compliant-web-form).

Then go to [**Settings > Register for SMS (10DLC)**](https://web.withallo.com/settings/sms-registration) and submit again. Not sure what the carriers rejected? Reply to the email and we will look into it.

***

## Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set up texting" icon="https://mintcdn.com/themobilefirstcompany/FJcAb4CMTxxLuBRC/media/allo-icons/Chat_bubble_add.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=FJcAb4CMTxxLuBRC&q=85&s=fd6ae2c8855402174da90ec08749e91b" href="/en/phone-numbers/sms-setup" width="24" height="24" data-path="media/allo-icons/Chat_bubble_add.svg">
    Start or resume your 10DLC registration
  </Card>

  <Card title="SMS troubleshooting" icon="https://mintcdn.com/themobilefirstcompany/RgYoir1kmfhXIZ06/media/allo-icons/Shield-warning-outline.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=RgYoir1kmfhXIZ06&q=85&s=d75aff6f82a1ada69c2c7605a9078292" href="/en/phone-numbers/sms-troubleshooting" width="24" height="24" data-path="media/allo-icons/Shield-warning-outline.svg">
    Texts that won't send, arrive, or deliver
  </Card>
</CardGroup>