Recently, there is an important requirement that companies sending international text messages to the United States must check: the TFN (Toll-Free Number) registration and verification system.
In the United States and Canada, management of SMS sender IDs used by businesses is being strengthened to reduce spam and phishing messages. Especially if your business sends OTP verification codes, delivery tracking, or payment notifications to U.S. customers, you should check whether your sender ID is registered in advance.
When using a TFN, even if you have been issued a number, you must go through a separate registration and verification process. This is because unregistered SMS or MMS messages sent through unverified numbers may be blocked by mobile carriers.
Today, for companies preparing to send SMS to the United States, we will look into what a TFN is, what information you need to prepare, and how the actual registration process works in order.
1. What is a TFN (Toll-Free Number)?
A TFN refers to a toll-free telephone number used in the United States and Canada. Numbers starting with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833, etc., in the U.S. belong to this category. It is easy to understand as a concept similar to a company customer center representative number familiar to us. This number can be used not only for phone consultations but also for sending corporate SMS or MMS.
For example, it can be used for OTP verification codes received when customers sign up or log in, delivery tracking, payment completion text messages, and reservation confirmation messages from shopping malls.
However, one thing to note here is that purchasing a TFN number does not mean you can start sending business text messages right away.
A registration process is required to verify which company actually uses the number and for what purpose the text messages are being sent. For reference, besides TFN, there is another sender ID method in the U.S. called 10DLC. 10DLC is a corporate text messaging method using standard local area codes in the United States. TFN differs in that it uses a toll-free number.
Both methods are used for enterprise SMS, but their registration processes are different, so it is recommended to decide which type of number to use first.
2. Why does the U.S. require TFN registration?
In the United States, verification of corporate text messages is considered essential. This is to prevent phishing messages impersonating senders and unsolicited advertising messages sent without user consent. For this reason, TFN registration requires not only submitting the number itself, but also verifying the actual company information and the purpose of the messages.
For example, if a company wants to send login verification codes to customers, it must explain whether the company actually operates legitimately and through what process customers receive the verification code.
The customer consent process for receiving text messages is also an important verification item. Rather than being established by a single specific law amendment, this TFN registration system follows sender ID verification policies operated by North American mobile carriers and messaging service providers. If you plan to send SMS to the U.S., it is recommended to proceed with the registration process from the stage of preparing the number.
3. What information should be prepared before TFN registration?
The first thing required in the registration process is basic company information.
Generally, you will enter the corporate legal name, registered business address, tax identifier, company website, contact person's name, email, and phone number.
In an English application form, you will see the following items:
Official Entity Name: Refers to the official legal name of the corporation.
Brand Name (DBA): Enter the brand name or service name displayed to customers.
Entity Type: Select the type of business entity.
Tax Identifier: Enter tax identification information used in the respective country (e.g., Business Registration Number).
Registered Address: Enter the registered corporate address in English.
Website: Enter the URL of your currently operating website.
Korean companies can also apply using their national tax identification information, but specific entry methods or additional document requirements should be checked according to the criteria of the messaging provider you apply through.
In addition to company information, you need to prepare details regarding actual message sending. You will explain which TFN number to use, estimated monthly volume, to whom messages will be sent, and for what purpose.
Furthermore, sample SMS text messages to be sent to actual customers and the method of obtaining user consent (Opt-In) are also required.
※ Note: To increase the likelihood of approval, we recommend using the same company name across your website, SMS message content, and English Business Registration Certificate.
4. [Practical Guide] TFN Registration Form Sample
For those who are confused about what specific items to fill out during TFN registration, we have prepared an actual application sample template. (※ Please refer to the items and format below and fill them in according to your company information.)
① Contact Information
Contact Person Name: [First Name Last Name]
Phone Number: [Mobile Phone Number including Country Code, e.g., +82 ...]
Email Address: [Email Address]
② Company & Service Information
Official Entity Name: [Legal Corporate Name] (e.g., Company Name, Inc.)
Brand Name / DBA: [English Brand Name]
Tax Identifier / Business Registration No.: [000-00-00000]
Registered Address: [Detailed Address], [District/City], [Province/State], [Postal Code], Republic of Korea
Website URL: [Website URL] (※ Link to page containing English company info and service description)
Privacy Policy URL (English): [URL of English Privacy Policy page]
Terms of Service URL (English): [URL of English Terms of Service page]
③ Message & Opt-In Details
Sample Message:
Your [Service Name] verification code is : 123456Use Case Description: Sending 1-time verification codes (OTP) for user identity verification (※ No marketing/promotional messages)
Opt-In Process: 1 message is sent immediately only when the user clicks the 'Request Verification Code' button on the website/app
Estimated Monthly Volume: Under [000] messages per month
Since TFN registration in the U.S. and North American regions requires many submission items and mobile carrier review standards are strict, advance preparation is very important. In particular, if English documents/terms links or clear proof of user consent (Opt-In) procedures are not provided, review may be delayed or rejected.
As a global messaging specialist, SureM supports corporate clients with a one-stop solution from TFN registration procedures to stable U.S. text message delivery based on years of overseas telecom networks and registration expertise.
If you have any questions regarding U.S. SMS sending or TFN pre-registration, please feel free to contact SureM Customer Support at any time!
Inquiries: SureM International Sales Team <intlsales@surem.com>
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