GHL SMS Setup Guide: A2P 10DLC Registration

Before you can send or receive text messages from your Go High Level account, there is a required setup and registration process. This is not optional. US phone carriers require every business to register before sending text messages. This process is called A2P 10DLC registration (A2P stands for "Application-to-Person," the standard for business text messaging in the US; 10DLC refers to the 10-digit local phone number format).

This guide walks you through every step from start to finish. If you follow each section in order and prepare the required information ahead of time, the entire process typically takes 3 to 10 business days.

How the Process Works

There are four steps you must complete, in this order. No step can be skipped.

Gather everything on this checklist before you start. Missing or inaccurate information is the most common cause of registration delays and rejections.

Required for All Businesses

• Access to your Go High Level account with admin permissions
• A valid government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's license) for identity verification
• A device with a camera (computer with webcam or phone) for a live selfie
• A payment method on file for phone number rental and registration fees

For Businesses With an EIN (Most Common)

• Legal business name exactly as registered with the IRS (must match your W2, W9, or CP 575 form)
• Valid Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Business type (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, Non-Profit, etc.)
• Business physical address matching IRS records
• Business phone number and email address
• Industry classification
• A live, publicly accessible business website that includes:
  • A Privacy Policy page (see Section 7 for required language)
  • A Terms of Service page (see Section 7 for required language)
  • A visible opt-in method for SMS, such as a web form or booking page
• At least 2 sample text messages that represent what you will actually send
• A clear description of your SMS campaign: who receives messages, what type of content, and why

For Sole Proprietors Without an EIN

• Legal first and last name (no LLC, Corporation, or similar terms)
• Valid US physical address (P.O. boxes are accepted)
• Phone number and email address that match your carrier records
• A live website with Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
• At least 2 sample text messages and a campaign description

The first step is purchasing a phone number in your Go High Level account. This is the number your business will use to send and receive text messages.

Identity Verification (One-Time)

The first time you purchase a US phone number, you will be asked to complete a one-time identity verification called Persona. This is a security step to prevent fraud. You will need to upload a government-issued photo ID and take a live selfie. After completing this once, you will never be asked to do it again for this account.

Steps to Purchase Your Number

1. Log into your Go High Level account.
2. Click Settings in the bottom-left sidebar.
3. Click Phone Systems.
4. Click + Add Number in the top-right corner, then select Add Phone Number.
5. Select United States from the Country dropdown.
6. Choose your number type:
   • Local: A standard 10-digit number with a specific area code. Best for businesses wanting a local presence.
   • Toll-Free: A number with an 800, 888, or similar prefix. Best for a national presence. Note: toll-free numbers have a separate verification process.
7. Use the Filters to search by area code, specific digits, or phrases.
8. Select the number you want and click Proceed to Buy.
9. If this is your first number purchase, the Persona identity verification screen will appear. Upload your ID and complete the selfie. The number purchase will proceed automatically after verification.
10. Confirm the purchase.

This step tells US phone carriers who you are. You are registering your business identity with a national carrier registry called The Campaign Registry (TCR). After registration, your business is assigned a Trust Score that determines how many messages you can send per day.

Which Brand Type to Choose

Most businesses should select Low Volume Standard. You can upgrade to higher volume later by contacting your Sulus.ai representative.

Steps for Standard Brand Registration (EIN)

1. In your account, go to Settings.
2. Click Phone Numbers (under Business Services).
3. Click the Trust Center tab.
4. Click Start Registering Now (under the A2P Wizard tab).
5. Select Yes when asked if your business is located in the US or Canada.
6. Select Yes, the business I'm registering has a tax ID.
7. Click Continue.
8. Select Low Volume Standard (or High Volume Standard if you plan to send large quantities).
9. Check the acknowledgment box confirming you understand registration fees are carrier-required.
10. Click Continue.
11. Enter your business details:
    • Legal Business Name: Must exactly match IRS records (include LLC, Inc, etc.)
    • EIN: Your Employer Identification Number
    • Business Type: LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.
    • Industry, Business Address, Phone, Email, and Website URL
12. Review everything for accuracy and submit.

If You Use a DBA (Doing Business As)

If your business operates under a different name than your legal EIN name, you need to declare this during registration.

• In your Campaign Use Case Description (Section 5), include: "We are doing DBA as [Your Brand Name]"
• Your website, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and opt-in form checkboxes must all show the declared name format: [Legal Name] DBA [Brand Name]
• The DBA relationship must be clearly visible in your website header or footer
• If the relationship is unclear or missing from your website, your registration will be rejected

After Submission

Your brand registration is sent to The Campaign Registry for review. Standard Brands typically receive a response within 3 business days. You will see the status update in the Trust Center.

If rejected, you will see the reason and can correct and resubmit at no additional charge. You cannot proceed to the next step until your brand is approved.

After your brand is approved, you need to tell the carriers what types of messages you will send. This is called campaign registration.

1. After brand approval, navigate to Settings > Phone Numbers > Trust Center.
2. Select a Campaign Use Case from the dropdown. For most businesses, select Low Volume Mixed or Mixed. This covers multiple message types (marketing, reminders, notifications) under one campaign.
3. Write a Use Case Description that clearly explains:
   • The purpose of your text messaging
   • Who will receive your messages
   • What type of content you will send
   • How and when messages are triggered

   Example: "Sending appointment reminders and follow-up messages to clients who have opted in through our website booking form. Messages include appointment confirmations, rescheduling notifications, and post-appointment satisfaction surveys."

4. Provide at least 2 sample messages that are realistic examples of what you will actually send. Each must include opt-out language.

   Example 1: "Hi [Name], this is a reminder of your appointment tomorrow at 2:00 PM. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule. Reply STOP to opt out."
   
   Example 2: "Thank you for visiting [Business Name]! We would love your feedback. Rate your experience here: [link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

5. Provide an Opt-In URL -- the link to the web form, landing page, or booking page where your contacts agree to receive text messages. This form must meet the compliance requirements in Section 6.
6. Acknowledge the campaign verification fee.
7. Review everything and submit.

After submission, the campaign undergoes manual review. Approval typically takes 1 to 5 business days. If rejected, you will see the reason and can correct and resubmit at no additional charge. A monthly campaign fee applies after approval. Contact your Sulus.ai representative for current pricing.

Opt-in compliance is the most common reason for campaign rejection. Any form, landing page, or booking page where contacts provide their phone number must meet all of the following requirements.

Required Consent Checkboxes

You must have two separate checkboxes on any form that collects phone numbers. Use the following exact wording:

Marketing checkbox (must be unchecked by default):

Non-marketing checkbox (must be unchecked by default):

Checkbox Rules

• Checkboxes must never be pre-checked. The person filling out the form must manually select them.
• Checkboxes must always be optional. Even if the phone number field is required, checking the consent boxes cannot be required to submit the form.
• After form submission, you may only send the types of messages the person consented to based on which boxes they checked.

Required Footer Links

Every form that collects a phone number must include these links in the footer (not embedded in the checkbox statements):

• Privacy Policy: Must link to your Privacy Policy page (see Section 7)
• Terms and Conditions: Must link to your Terms and Conditions page (see Section 7)

Both links must be clearly visible and not hidden behind other design elements. People must be able to review them before submitting the form.

Using a Subdomain for Your Opt-In Form

If your opt-in form is on a subdomain (such as form.yourbusiness.com instead of yourbusiness.com), carriers will still accept it as long as:

• The subdomain clearly matches your overall brand (name, logo, look and feel)
• It is obvious how people find the form (linked from your main site, emails, ads, or social media)
• The form has all required compliance elements (checkboxes, footer links)

Your website must have both a Privacy Policy page and a Terms of Service (or Terms and Conditions) page. Both require specific language for A2P registration to be approved.

Getting Started: Sample Pages From Go High Level

Go High Level provides importable sample Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions pages that include the required language. These are not comprehensive legal documents -- you should consult your own legal counsel -- but they provide a strong starting point that meets carrier requirements.

To access the sample pages, log into your GHL account and search for "Privacy Policy template" or "Terms and Conditions template" in the Funnels or Sites section. GHL provides importable templates you can add directly to your account and customize with your business information.

Required Terms of Service Clauses

Your Terms of Service must include all of the following:

1. Business Identity Clause

Clearly state your business name and describe what messages people can expect to receive.

2. Opt-Out and Support Instructions

Include language explaining how to stop messages and get help. Recommended wording:

3. Carrier Liability Clause

Must include:

4. Message Frequency and Cost Disclosure

5. Privacy Policy Link

Must include a direct link to your Privacy Policy:

Required Privacy Policy Clause

Your Privacy Policy must include the following exact language:

Once both your Brand and Campaign show as "Approved" in the Trust Center, you are almost ready to start messaging.

Carrier Propagation Period

After approval, it can take up to 3 business days for all US carriers to receive your registration information. During this period:

• You can begin sending text messages immediately after approval
• Some messages may temporarily fail with an error saying no A2P approval was found
• This is normal and resolves on its own as carriers update their records

Where You Can Use SMS in Your Account

• Conversations: Manual one-on-one messaging with contacts
• Workflows: Automated text messages triggered by events like form submissions, appointments, or pipeline changes
• Campaigns: Bulk text message sends to contact lists
• Two-Way Messaging: Receiving and responding to inbound text messages from contacts

Sending Rules to Follow

• Only message people who have opted in. Sending texts to people who have not given you explicit permission violates carrier rules and will result in suspension.
• Keep your opt-out rate below 3%. If more than 3% of your recipients reply STOP, your messaging will be automatically suspended for 24 hours.
• Ramp up gradually. New campaigns should start with lower volumes and increase over time rather than sending at maximum capacity on day one.
• Additional phone numbers are automatically registered. Any numbers you purchase after your brand and campaign are approved will be linked to your existing campaign automatically. No resubmission needed.

If your registration is rejected, do not worry. You can correct the issue and resubmit at no additional charge. Here are the most common reasons for rejection and how to prevent them.

Brand Registration Rejections

Campaign Registration Rejections

Messages Failing After Approval

If your messages return errors saying no A2P approval was found even though your Brand and Campaign are both approved, this is normal. Carriers can take up to 3 business days to fully update their records. Wait 3 business days and the errors should resolve on their own. If failures continue after that window, contact your Sulus.ai representative.

Registration Rejected

Go to Settings > Phone Numbers > Trust Center to see the rejection reason. Correct the issue and resubmit. There is no additional fee for resubmission. See Section 9 for a full list of common rejection reasons and how to fix them.

Messaging Suspended

If your opt-out rate exceeds 3%, messaging is automatically suspended for 24 hours. After the suspension lifts, review your contact list to confirm that all recipients have actively opted in. Remove any contacts who did not provide explicit consent before resuming messaging.

Persona Verification Not Appearing

If the identity verification prompt does not appear when purchasing a phone number, refresh the page and try again. If the issue persists, contact your Sulus.ai representative.

How long does this whole process take?

Typically 3 to 10 business days from start to first successful text message, depending on how quickly your registrations are approved and how long carriers take to update their records.

How much does this cost?

Fees include a one-time brand registration fee, a one-time campaign registration fee, a monthly campaign fee, and a monthly phone number rental fee. Text messages are billed per message based on usage. Contact your Sulus.ai representative for current pricing.

Can I skip the registration and just start texting?

No. US carriers require A2P registration for all business text messaging. Unregistered messages will be filtered, blocked, or penalized by carriers.

Can I add more phone numbers later?

Yes. Any numbers you purchase after your brand and campaign are approved will be automatically linked to your existing campaign. No resubmission is needed.

Can I send marketing and appointment reminders from the same number?

Yes, if you registered with a Mixed or Low Volume Mixed campaign use case. Your opt-in form must have separate consent checkboxes for marketing and non-marketing messages.

What if my registration is rejected?

You will see the reason in the Trust Center. Correct the issue and resubmit at no additional charge. The most common reasons are mismatched business names, missing Privacy Policy or Terms of Service, and non-compliant opt-in forms.

Can I send texts to people who have not signed up to receive them?

No. Sending texts to people who have not opted in violates carrier rules and platform policy. It will result in suspension of your messaging ability.

What if my business address has changed since I got my EIN?

You must update your address with the IRS using Form 8822 before registering. The address you submit must match what the IRS has on file.

If you have questions about any step in this process, get stuck, or run into an issue, contact your Sulus.ai representative. We are here to help you through it.