As of February 17th 2026, business registration numbers will become mandatory for all new toll-free number submissions.
What is a Business Registration Number?
A unique identifier assigned to a business by a government authority or regulatory agency to identify and legitimize the business is recognized and allow operating within a specific jurisdiction. For example, in the U.S., most businesses are required to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is a 9-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) used for tax filing, business reporting, and other uses.
What information do I need to provide?
United States Based Organization
Employee Identification Number (EIN)
Legal Business Name - the legal name provided must match the name registered to the EIN.
If no EIN is available (e.g., a self-run business or sole prop with no employees), additional vetting will be required upon review. Approval is not necessarily guarantee if a business is classified as sole-proprietor.
Organizations Outside the US
Name of the registration authority
Business registration number as issued by your country's authority
Legal Business Name
Can I register if I am outside of the US?
Provided you can provide a business registration number issued by a national or local authority, you can register for a toll-free number.
List of acceptable registration authority for Business Registrations:
Country | Value | Description |
United States | EIN | Employee Identification Number is a unique 9-digit number assigned by the IRS to business entities operating in the U.S. for tax administration. |
Canada | CBN | Canadian Business Number is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned to your corporation by the Canada Revenue Agency. |
Canada | NEQ | Québec Enterprise Number is a unique 10-digit identifier assigned to each business when registering with the Registraire des enterprises in Quebec, Canada. |
United Kingdom | CRN | Company Registration Number is a unique 8-digit identifier assigned to your business by Companies House in the United Kingdom. |
Japan | CN | Corporate Number is a unique 13-digit identifier assigned by the National Tax Agency to companies and other organizations registered in Japan. |
Hong Kong | BRN | Business Registration Number is an 8-digit identifier issued by Inland Revenue Department in Hong Kong. This can be found on the Business Registration Certificate, serves as proof of your business's legal status. It streamlines your tax and legal processes, establishing your organization’s legal status. |
Australia | ACN | Australian Company Number is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to every company registered in Australia. It is used to distinguish a company as a separate legal entity and must be displayed on certain official documents, invoices, and letterheads. |
Australia | ABN | Australian Business Number is a unique 11-digit identifier that every business in Australia, no matter its size or structure, must have. This number is issued by the Australian Taxation Office and must be accompanied by a registered business name to identify and monitor a business for tax purposes. |
New Zeland | NZBN | New Zealand Business Number is a unique 13-digit identifier for businesses in New Zealand. All businesses, government agencies and commercial entities...etc. in New Zealand must have a NZBN, regardless of the type of business structure and activities involved. |
India | CIN | Corporate Identification Number is a 21-digit alpha-numeric number assigned to all Private Limited Companies, Person Companies, Government of India Companies, State Government Companies, Not-for-Profit, Nidhi Companies, and other entities registered in India. |
France | SIREN | Système d'Identification du Répertoire des Entreprises (SIREN) is a 9-digit identification code assigned to every registered business by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in France. |
France | SIRET | Système d'Identification du Répertoire des Etablissements (SIRET): - is a 14- digit identifier (9 digits of the SIREN number + an additional 5 digits that represents the specific location or establishment of the business). |
Germany | USt-IdNr) | Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer is a 9- digit identifier preceded by the prefix DE to businesses registered for VAT purposes in Germany. |
Switzerland | UID | Unique Identification Number is a 12-alphanumeric identifier beginning with the prefix "CHE", followed by 9 digits to identify businesses for VAT purposes in Switzerland. |
Spain | CIF | Certificado de Identificación Fiscal is a 9-alphanumeric (8 numbers and a letter) identifier to businesses registered for VAT purposes in Spain. In 2008, Spain officially replaced the CIF with the NIF for legal entities. Both are used interchangeably. |
Spain/Portugal | NIF | Número de Identificación Fiscal is a 9-alphanumeric identifier (similar format as CIF) used to identify both individuals and legal entities in their dealings issued by Spanish Tax Agency or the tax authorities of Portugal. |
Brazil | CNPJ | Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica is a unique 14-digit identifier issued by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal) for businesses and other legal entities operating in Brazil. |
FAQ
What if I don't have a Business Registration Number (BRN)?
If you are a self-run business or sole proprietor without a BRN you may indicate that you have no BRN through the application. Additional vetting will be carried out by the carriers at the time of submission
Why is this now required?
Business Registration Numbers help reduce spam, improve message deliverability and build long-term trust across carrier networks by verifying that a brand is government-authorized, aligned with its campaign details, and comply with opt-in requirements and content policies.