Registering your toll-free number is the key step to sending SMS and MMS messages to customers in the United States and Canada. This guide walks you through the process, explains what carriers look for, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes that lead to delays or rejections.
Before you begin
Carriers require proof that your recipients explicitly agreed to receive your messages. This is called an opt-in. If you do not have a valid opt-in method, your application will be rejected.
Where to find the TFN registration form
To access the registration form inside your account, follow these steps:
Log in to your Dashboard.
Go to Sender IDs → Buy a Number.
Select your country.
Click Register in the toll-free number (TFN) column and follow the prompts.
Steps to completing the TFN form
Keep this guide open alongside your application to ensure you provide the exact details carriers require.
1. Add your ClickSend User ID and TFN details
ClickSend User ID - If this section is not pre-filled, you can find your ClickSend User ID in the top-right menu of your Dashboard.
Toll-Free Number (TFN): This is pre-filled.
2. Provide your point of contact
This is the person we’ll contact if we need more information about your TFN registration. Make sure their details are accurate and up to date.
Name – The full name of the person responsible for the TFN registration.
Phone number – A direct number we can use to call for clarification during business hours.
Email address – The best email for receiving updates and approval notifications.
3. Business Details
If you’re registering a TFN on behalf of a client, make sure you enter the client’s business information, not your own. Carriers need to verify the business that is actually sending the messages, so the details must match the sender’s identity.
Legal company name – Enter the full legal name of the business exactly as it appears on official registration documents. Do not use shortened names or trade names, as this will delay your application.
Business customer support email – Provide a business email address that matches your website's domain (for example, name@yourbusiness.com). Avoid using personal or non-business email addresses (such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook), as carriers often reject applications when the email domain does not match your website.
Company website or social media page – Enter your full, live business URL (for example, https://www.clicksend.com). If you do not have a website, you can provide a link to a public business social media page. Your website or social media page must be public, load correctly, and clearly represent your business. Carriers will check this link to verify your business identity, and inactive or private pages will result in your application being rejected.
Which country is your business registered in? - Select the country where your business is legally registered. This helps carriers verify your business information.
Business Registration Number (EIN, CBN, etc.) - Provide your business registration number, such as an EIN or CBN. If your business is registered outside the United States, please refer to our List of acceptable registration authority for Business Registrations.
Business Registration Type - Select the correct option for how your business is legally structured. Carriers ask for this because different structures have different documentation, tax IDs, and verification requirements. Note: Hovering over this section of the form will provide you with more details.
Company Address - Enter the physical address of your business. Use your headquarters address if you have multiple locations. If you do not have a headquarters, use the address listed on your business registration documents.
Country - Enter the country associated with the address of your business.
Official Business Registration Documents - Attach any government-issued documents that confirm your business is legally registered. Carriers use these to verify your identity and ensure your TFN application matches your official business records. Commonly accepted documents include:
For U.S. Businesses
Articles of incorporation – Issued when forming a corporation.
Articles of organization – Issued when forming an LLC.
EIN confirmation letter (IRS Form CP 575 or 147C) – Verifies your federal tax ID.
Business license – Provided by your city or county.
Certificate of good standing – Confirms your business is active and compliant.
For Sole Proprietors
DBA or trade name registration
Local business license
State tax registration certificate
For Businesses Outside the U.S.
Government-issued business registration certificates
VAT/GST registration documents
Company formation certificates
National business registry extracts
4. Tell us exactly how you'll use this TFN
What type of messages are you sending - Provide a clear, specific explanation of what types of messages you’ll send. This helps carriers understand your use case and confirm it aligns with your message examples and opt‑in method.
Will the message be - Choose the option that best describes the messages you will send:
Transactional - For informational messages only.
Marketing - For promotional messages only.
Transactional & Marketing - For a mix of both message types.
Monthly Volume Estimate - Select your intended message volume from the drop-down menu.
Describe who you message and why - Provide a clear, specific explanation of who will receive them, and why you’re sending them. This helps carriers understand your use case and confirm it aligns with your message examples and opt‑in method.
Provide 1–3 sample messages - Provide real examples of the messages you plan to send from your TFN. Carriers use these to verify your use case, check for compliance, and ensure your content matches your description. Messages that you send should ALWAYS include your brand name and stop option.
For example: Thank you for joining ClickSend. We are happy to have you. Reply STOP to opt out at any time.
5. How do recipients opt in to receive your messages?
How do recipients opt-in to receive messages? - Select from the drop-down the option that describes how your customers will opt-in.
Describe the opt-in process clearly: Explain exactly how your customers give permission to receive messages from your TFN. Carriers need to see a specific, transparent description of how people sign up — not a vague statement like “customers opt in on our website.”
Examples of clear opt‑in descriptions
“Customers opt in on our website by checking a box during checkout that states they agree to receive order updates and alerts via SMS.”
“Patients opt in when booking an appointment online. The form includes a consent checkbox for receiving appointment reminders and follow‑up messages.”
“Subscribers text the keyword JOIN to our TFN to opt in. The automated reply confirms enrollment and includes STOP/HELP instructions.”
“Members provide their phone number and sign a paper intake form at our office that includes SMS consent for appointment reminders.”
Upload proof of opt-in - Provide actual evidence showing that your customers explicitly agreed to receive messages from your TFN. Carriers require this to confirm your opt-in method is real, compliant, and matches what you described in your application.
It’s not enough to describe the opt‑in — you must show it.
Here are the most common forms of acceptable proof:
Website form screenshot - A screenshot of the page where customers check a box or submit a form agreeing to receive texts.
Checkout page screenshot - Showing the SMS consent checkbox or disclosure.
Sign‑up or registration page - Where users enter their phone number and agree to receive messages.
SMS keyword opt‑in proof - A screenshot of the keyword flyer & automated reply confirming enrollment (e.g., “You’re subscribed! STOP to opt out.”).
Paper form or intake form - A scanned copy showing the SMS consent language with the check box where patients agree to receive texts.
Email or account creation consent - If SMS consent is included in your account creation process there must be a check box for customers to check agreeing to receive texts.
Opt-ins have specific requirements. Visit Understanding Opt-ins to learn more.
Customer Feedback - Use this optional field to share any extra information that might help the reviewer and/or carrier understand your use case, business model, or unique messaging flow. This is particularly helpful if your application has unusual requirements or needs further clarification.
Acknowledgement – Check the box to confirm you understand that your toll-free number (TFN) cannot be used until ClickSend notifies you by email that it has been verified. If all information is provided correctly, this process typically takes 1 to 7 business days.
Acknowledgement - Check this box to confirm that your website has a live, publicly accessible Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions page.
Privacy Policy – This should be on your website. Your Privacy Policy must clearly describe how your company collects and uses customer data. It must state explicitly that the subscriber's personal information (such as their phone number) will not be shared or sold to third parties for marketing purposes. Note: If for any reason a privacy policy doesn't exist, the no sharing disclosure CAN be added to the opt in.
Terms & Conditions – This should be on your website. Your Terms & Conditions page must outline the rules of your messaging program. Carriers require this page to include:
Your company name.
A "Message and data rates may apply" disclosure.
A message frequency disclosure (for example, "message frequency varies"). Note: This is only required for recurring message programs.
Opt-out instructions (for example, "Reply STOP to cancel").
Customer care contact information (for example, "Reply HELP for help").
A link to your Privacy Policy.
What's next?