Request a Short Code for the United States and Canada

You can request a short code for sending SMS messages in the United States. Processing your short code request can take 10–12 weeks depending on how long it takes for carriers and aggregators to provide approval.

1. Before you start, verify that you have a registered brand
2. From Setup, in the Quick Find box, enter SMS, and then select SMS Codes.
3. Click Request Code.
4. Select United States or Canada as the country.
5. Select Short Code for the code type, and then click Next.
6. To make sure that your new code is mapped to the correct app, select Marketing Cloud Edition – Advanced/Growth or Marketing Cloud Next.
7. Enter the brand and code and customization details.
   1. Select your approved brand.
   2. Enter the number of dedicated codes that you want to lease.
   3. Select the Search Type to find your code by a specific Number, a State, or a Zip code, or select Random Short Code so the registry automatically assigns a sequence.
8. Enter the basic campaign details.
   1. Verify that Registered Brand ID is auto-populated based on the selected brand.
   2. For Program Name, enter your public campaign name. This name must match your official trademark or corporate DBA.
   3. Select the Short Code Type: Vanity or Random.
   4. For Message Cost Model, select FREE_TO_END_USER (FTEU) so subscribers aren’t charged, or select STANDARD to apply standard carrier message and data rates.
   5. Enter the phone number and email address for customer support contact.
9. Define opt-in methods that your business uses to gather phone numbers and explicit consent.
   1. Select how your customers opt in by selecting one of these options: Keyword, Web, POS, IVR, or Other.
   2. Enter the web address to your live corporate privacy policy and click Next.
10. Configure the Web Opt-In details.
    1. For Opt-In Flow Details, describe exactly where and how a user signs up on your site. For example, state that users opt in to receive messages through your official landing page while expressing interest in course registration.
    2. Specify the opt-in keywords users can text to sign up, such as JOIN or MUSIC.
    3. Enter the call-to-action text that prompts the user.
    4. Enter the automated opt-in success response for confirmation message.
       For example, "You have successfully subscribed to updates. Messages include course reminders and offers. Reply STOP to opt out."
11. Enter the mandatory keyword responses. These keywords define how subscribers can stop receiving marketing SMS messages or get assistance.
    1. Enter your opt-out keywords. The system defaults to standard keywords including STOP, QUIT, END, CANCEL, and UNSUBSCRIBE.
    2. Enter the opt-out message.
       For example, "You’ve been unsubscribed from [Brand Name] alerts. You receive no further messages. Reply START to resubscribe."
    3. Enter the help keywords, such as Help.
    4. Enter the help message.
       For example, "For help with [Brand Name] alerts, visit [Website] or call [Phone]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Message & data rates apply."
12. Enter compliance information.
    1. Enter a URL for Terms & Conditions.
    2. Enter a Privacy Policy URL.
    3. Enter your program description summary detailing transactional alerts, onboarding assistance, or promotional updates.
    4. To upload supporting files such as a program syllabus, trademark certifications, or website sign up form mockups, click Attachments.
    5. Enter internal notes or comments detailing your consent gathering methods and opt-out placement.
    6. Enter a comma-separated list of collaborator email addresses to receive carrier vetting status updates.
13. Select the confirmation checkbox: I'm ready to submit this request.
14. Submit your request.