A2P Verification for Outgoing SMS from US/CA Numbers

Before you can send SMS from US or Canadian numbers in CallHippo, your business must complete A2P (Application-to-Person) verification. This guide walks you through the registration process, fees, timelines, and how to avoid common rejections.

A2P registration at a glance

• One-time fee: $15
• Purpose: Required for sending SMS from U.S. and Canadian numbers via CallHippo
• Step 1 — Brand verification: about 2–3 business days
• Step 2 — Campaign / use case verification: up to 2–3 weeks

SMS services are not activated unless both steps are successfully approved.

What is A2P messaging?

A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging refers to text messages sent from an application to a person’s mobile phone. It is typically used by businesses to send notifications, alerts, verification codes, or promotional messages to customers — usually one-way communication from the business to the user.

A2P messaging ensures compliance with carrier regulations, optimizes delivery speed, and enables reliable communication between businesses and their customers.

A2P registration fees

The one-time setup fee for A2P brand registration is $15. After registration, a monthly charge applies based on your selected use case, starting at $3. These charges are clearly displayed before you submit a campaign.

The monthly campaign fee varies by use case and typically ranges between $3 and $10. These charges cover registration and ongoing compliance with carrier requirements.

A2P registration process

Step 1: Brand verification (2–3 business days)

This step validates your business identity.

1. Log in to your CallHippo dashboard.
2. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select SMS Profile.
   
3. You will be redirected to the SMS Verification Form, which contains five steps. Complete the first four:

• Business Profile: Enter your legal business name and other details exactly as they appear on your business registration documents.
  
• Contact Information: Provide details of the business owner or authorized representative. Ensure the job title and email match the submitted documents.
  
• Business Address: This must match the address shown on your business documents.
  
• Review & Submit: Double-check all fields before submitting.
  

Once submitted, your brand information is reviewed by our carrier partner. This typically takes 2–3 business days, and you will receive an email when your brand is verified. You cannot move to the next step until the brand is verified.

Step 2: Campaign / use case verification (2–3 weeks)

After brand approval, proceed to the fifth step of the SMS Verification form to register your SMS campaign or use case.

Please note: verification timelines are set by our carrier partners and cannot be expedited. You will need to provide the following information.

Campaign description

• Describe the purpose of the campaign clearly (for example, OTPs or appointment reminders).
• Descriptions must align with your sample messages.
• If you are in the financial domain, include the term “Direct Lending” where applicable.

Accepted: “This campaign sends OTPs for multi-factor login authentication. Customers confirm identity changes via SMS.”
Rejected: “This campaign sends appointment reminders.” (lacks opt-out clarity and purpose detail)

Sample messages

• Include two real message examples (do not use placeholders like <name>).
• Use square brackets for dynamic fields (for example, [phone-number]).
• Include opt-out instructions if required.

Accepted: “ACME 2FA Notice: Your one-time password is 1234. Call [phone-number] if you didn’t request this.”
Rejected: “You have an upcoming appointment.” (missing opt-out)

User consent (opt-in method) — very important

• List all opt-in methods (for example, website form or in-store signup).
• Include the URL and a link to your terms and conditions.

If you collect customer information through a form on your website and intend to contact them via SMS, state this clearly at the point of data collection. Include a consent statement such as: “By clicking Accept or submitting this form, you provide us consent to contact you via SMS on the number provided.” This significantly increases the chances of approval.

Yes/No confirmations

• Will your messages contain links?
• Will your messages include phone numbers?
• Will your messages involve direct lending or loan offers?
• Will messages include age-restricted content?

Once submitted, carrier review can take up to 2–3 weeks. If approved, SMS services for US and Canadian numbers are activated.

What to expect after submission

If your brand or campaign is rejected:

• You will receive a notification.
• You must resubmit the corrected information.
• The timeline resets — brand verification takes 2–3 business days and campaign verification takes 2–3 weeks.

Note: You can only submit brand verification twice through the dashboard. If both attempts are unsuccessful, please contact our support team for assistance.

Tips to prevent rejection

• All submitted information exactly matches your official business documents.
• Your use case clearly states the purpose of the messages and how consent is obtained.
• Sample messages include clear intent, opt-out instructions, and proper formatting.
• Your opt-in process is well documented and linked.
• You use a business email address tied to your domain.
• Your privacy policy and terms mention consent and opt-out procedures.

Common reasons for rejection

• Mismatched business information or incomplete documents
• No clear opt-in method or missing consent documentation
• Unclear or non-compliant use case descriptions
• Sample messages that are vague, promotional-only, or missing required disclosures
• Content involving affiliate marketing or age-restricted materials
• High risk of spam complaints
• Missing or non-compliant privacy policy or opt-in terms

How to improve your approval chances

• Provide a simple, documented opt-in workflow with links to your terms
• Use compliant message types (alerts, OTPs, reminders)
• Submit all required documents, including business registration proof and a valid website URL
• Clearly describe your messaging use case
• Include message samples that are realistic and compliant
• Provide a clear opt-out option in all SMS content

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need A2P registration to send SMS from US or Canadian numbers?

A2P registration is required to comply with carrier regulations. Without approval, SMS services from these numbers will not be activated.

How much does A2P registration cost?

There is a one-time fee of $15 plus a monthly recurring fee starting at $3. These charges cover verification and ongoing compliance with carrier requirements.

How long does the A2P verification process take?

The full process can take between 1–3 weeks. Brand verification takes about 2–3 business days, and campaign verification takes up to 2–3 weeks.

What is required for campaign or use case verification?

You must provide a clear campaign description, two sample messages, and opt-in methods, and confirm whether your messages include links, phone numbers, or sensitive content like direct lending or age-restricted material.

What is considered a valid opt-in method?

List where and how users give consent, such as signing up via a website form or in-store. Include the URL and a link to your terms and conditions that explain the opt-in.

What happens if my brand is rejected?

You will receive a notification and need to resubmit with corrected information. The timeline restarts for each step, and brand verification can only be attempted twice through the dashboard.

I’ve purchased the SMS subscription, but I still can’t send messages — why?

SMS services for US and Canadian numbers are only activated after A2P verification is complete. Make sure both your brand and campaign have been approved.

I don’t own a registered business. Can I still complete A2P verification?

No. A2P registration requires a valid business entity and cannot be completed using individual or personal details.

I have Indian business documents, but the form is asking for an EIN. What should I do?

You can complete A2P registration using Indian business documents. In place of the EIN, enter your GSTIN.

Can you expedite the process for an urgent US number?

No. Verification is handled by our carrier partners and cannot be expedited. Brand verification takes 2–3 business days and campaign verification takes 2–3 weeks.

It says both brand submission attempts are used. What can I do?

Please contact our support team. We will coordinate with our technical team to help you resubmit the details from the backend.

Can I test outgoing SMS from US or Canadian numbers during my free trial?

No. A2P is a paid add-on and cannot be activated during the free trial. SMS for US and Canadian numbers is only available on paid accounts with A2P registration completed.