Request a Short Code

To send high-volume text messages in Canada, you must register a dedicated 5-digit or 6-digit short code. The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) manages the registration process on behalf of Canadian mobile network operators.

1. From Setup, in the Quick Find box, enter SMS, and then select SMS Codes.
2. Click Request Code.
3. Select Canada as the country.
4. Select Short Code for the code type, and then click Next.
5. select the number of short codes you want to register, and click Next.
6. Review the short code request overview screen, and click Next.
7. In the Contact Details section, enter the official legal name of your company exactly as it appears on your Canadian corporate registration or tax records, and click Next.
8. In the Company Details section, enter your consumer-facing brand name, corporate website URL, and registered corporate address.
9. Download the CWTA Common Short Code Application Form template.
10. Fill out the required sections in Short Code Application Form based on these formatting and compliance requirements.
    1. Enter your registered corporate name, primary contact person, and physical corporate mailing address.

       If you are a registered charity, select Yes for Not-for-Profit status and provide your 9-digit Canadian Business Number and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Registration Number.

    1. Complete the billing details if your billing or accounts payable department uses a different address than your primary corporate address.
    2. For Application Type, select New or Migration if you are transferring an active short code from another provider.
    3. Enter up to three short code preferences in order of choice. You can verify number availability on the national short code registry website.
    4. Select Request all carriers to ensure messaging reach across all Canadian carrier networks.
    5. Select the program types that apply to your use case.
    6. Select the languages and geographic regions for your target audience. If your audience includes subscribers in Québec, selecting French is legally required.
    7. Describe your business, your target audience, and how the short code will be used.

       For example, [Company Name] provides an educational platform. This short code sends class schedule reminders, two-factor authentication security codes, and account status notifications to registered users in Canada.

    8. Select the Preferred Customer Pricing: Free-to-end-user (FTEU) if your organization absorbs all messaging costs, or Standard carrier pricing if standard text messaging rates apply to the consumer.
    9. Enter the promotion and opt-in details describing exactly how customers discover your text program.

       For example, customers discover the program via our official website at https://www.octavesonline.com. During checkout or class booking, customers enter their phone number and check an unchecked checkbox confirming: 'I agree to receive transactional alerts from OctavesOnline at the number provided. Message and data rates may apply.

    10. Enter the call flow details and mandatory keywords.

        While standard text messages support higher character counts, responses to mandatory keywords must not exceed 160 characters.

        Keyword	Required French Equivalent	Response Content
        HELP	AIDE	Program name, public customer support phone number or email address, data rate disclosure, and opt-out instructions.
        STOP	ARRET	Confirmation that the user has unsubscribed, confirmation that no further messages will be sent, and opt-in instructions to resume.

    11. If your campaigns promote age restricted content like alcohol or cannabis, select Yes and confirm that age-gating filters are active before users can opt in.
    12. If your messaging program includes sweepstakes or prizes, confirm that no purchase is required to participate and that the full contest terms are accessible. If residents of Québec are eligible, confirm compliance with all Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) filing requirements.
    13. In the Roles of the Parties Involved section, enter your public-facing brand name, a corporate domain email address, and your messaging aggregator partner.
    14. Provide estimated subscriber metrics and traffic patterns for Message Volume Forecasts.
    15. Enter the Customer Care/Support Information details such as phone number, email address, and help URL that will display in the national registry.
    16. Make sure the authorized corporate representative signs, dates, and prints their name on page 6 of the application form.
    17. Return to the open self-service setup wizard and click Upload Files to upload the signed PDF.
11. Submit your request.