If you text customers in the US from GoHighLevel, A2P 10DLC registration isn't optional. Without it, carriers filter or block your messages, so your missed-call text-backs and reminders quietly never arrive. Here's how registration works in GoHighLevel, what it costs, and the mistakes that get most applications rejected.
What is A2P 10DLC?
A2P means application-to-person: messages sent by software, like GoHighLevel, rather than typed on a phone. 10DLC means a standard 10-digit US long code, a normal local number. US carriers require every business sending A2P texts from these numbers to register two things with The Campaign Registry:
- Your Brand: your legal business identity
- Your Campaign: what you send, why, and how people opted in
Outside the US? A2P 10DLC is a US-only system. UK, European and Australian numbers follow different rules (I cover those on my GoHighLevel VA page), but if you text US customers from a US number, you need this.
Before you start: what you need
- Your exact legal business name and EIN, matching your IRS or state registration letter for letter. If you don't have an EIN, there's a separate sole proprietor option with lower limits.
- A live website on your business domain that matches the brand you're registering.
- A privacy policy that explicitly says mobile information won't be shared with third parties for marketing (wording below).
- Terms of service with an SMS section.
- A visible opt-in: a form with an SMS consent checkbox, or another clear way people agree to receive texts.
Step-by-step in GoHighLevel
HighLevel renames menus from time to time, but the flow is the same.
- In the sub-account, go to Settings → Phone Numbers and open the Trust Center (sometimes shown as Trust Hub). Click Start Registration under A2P 10DLC.
- Register the Brand. Choose your business type, enter the legal name and EIN exactly as registered, your business address, website and an authorised contact. Brand registration is often approved quickly.
- Register the Campaign. Pick the use case that matches what you'll send (for example customer care, appointment reminders or marketing) and describe it plainly.
- Add sample messages that look exactly like what you'll send, including your business name and opt-out wording.
- Describe the message flow: where people opt in, what they see, and a link to the form or page. This is the part reviewers check most closely.
- Confirm opt-out and help keywords (STOP and HELP) and submit. Then wait for campaign vetting.
How much does it cost?
At the time of writing, GoHighLevel bills your first Brand and Campaign together as one bundled fee of roughly $22.50 to $64, depending on brand type. Each extra campaign costs around $15 to submit. These are carrier and registry fees passed through by HighLevel, and they change occasionally, so check your billing screen for current amounts.
How long does approval take?
Brand registration is often near-instant. Campaign vetting usually takes about 3–7 business days, and during busy periods it can stretch to two weeks. A rejection restarts the clock, which is why it's worth getting it right the first time.
Why campaigns get rejected (and how to avoid it)
- Forced consent. If someone can't submit your form, book or buy without agreeing to texts, that consent isn't freely given. Make the SMS checkbox optional and unticked by default.
- A privacy policy that allows sharing. Vague lines like "we may share your information with trusted partners" are among the most common reasons for rejection. Add an explicit SMS carve-out (below).
- Details that don't match. A legal name, EIN or website that doesn't line up with official records.
- Sample messages that don't match the use case, or that leave out your business name and opt-out language.
- An opt-in reviewers can't find: a broken link, a form behind a login, or a message flow description that's too vague.
Wording that helps you pass
SMS consent checkbox (on your form)
By checking this box, I agree to receive text messages from [Business Name] about [appointments / my enquiry / offers]. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase.
Privacy policy carve-out
Mobile information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties.
Sample message
Hi Sarah, this is [Business Name]. Your appointment is confirmed for Tue 3pm. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule. Reply STOP to opt out.
Adapt these to your business. They're examples of the kind of language reviewers look for, not legal advice.
After you're approved
- Send only what you registered. A new type of message may need a new campaign.
- Keep STOP handling working, and never re-text someone who opted out.
- Respect quiet hours and get express consent before marketing texts.
- Now set up the automations that make texting worth it, like a missed-call text-back and recall reminders.
Want it done for you?
I handle A2P 10DLC registration for GoHighLevel accounts for $99, including checking your privacy policy, terms and opt-in forms so your campaign passes vetting. It's also included in my monthly GoHighLevel VA plans. See all prices on the pricing page.