A2P Sole Proprietor Brand Registration for 10DLC Text Messaging

This guide walks you through the A2P Sole Proprietor Brand Registration process for 10DLC messaging in Enrollio. You'll learn who qualifies, how to register, the fees involved, and the limitations you need to know.

Following this process ensures your text messages to parents stay compliant with carrier regulations and reach families reliably.

Important: If you have a tax ID (like an EIN), you're not eligible for Sole Proprietor registration. Use a Low Volume Standard Brand instead.

Table of Contents

What is A2P Sole Proprietor Brand Registration?

Sole Proprietor registration is designed for individual childcare providers or very small programs in the U.S. and Canada who:

  • Operate under their own name
  • Have no formal business entity or Tax ID (like an EIN)
  • Run their program with just one employee

This registration lets you send compliant text messages to families via 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) channels, ensuring better message delivery and compliance with carrier regulations.

Key Benefits of A2P Sole Proprietor Brand Registration

  • Send compliant messages: Legally text families through 10DLC-compliant routes
  • Better deliverability: Build trust with carriers and avoid message filtering issues
  • Avoid penalties: Stay clear of heavy carrier fines for unregistered messaging
  • Basic throughput: Access messaging capacity suitable for low-volume needs

What are the Requirements for Sole Proprietor Registration?

Sole Proprietor registration is available to individuals or small childcare programs who meet these criteria:

No Tax ID

If you have a tax ID, you're not eligible for Sole Proprietor registration. Use a Low Volume Standard Brand instead.

One Phone Number per Campaign

You can only link one phone number to your Sole Proprietor campaign. If you purchase multiple local numbers, you may encounter errors when texting (specifically error code 30034), even with approved numbers. This happens because each number needs to be specifically linked to an approved A2P 10DLC campaign.

Identity Verification

You'll need to verify your identity using a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your mobile phone.

Valid Contact Details

You must provide accurate information including:

  • Business name (or your legal name if operating under your own name)
  • First and last name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Physical address

U.S. Address Required

Only valid U.S. addresses (including P.O. boxes) are allowed. International addresses are not permitted.

Operate Under Your Legal Name

You must operate under your personal legal name—no LLC, Corporation, or other business entity structures.

Matching Carrier Records

Your mobile number and email must match carrier records for successful verification.

Brand Compliance Checklist (Required for Approval)

Before submitting your registration, verify you meet these standards. Failure to comply will result in rejection by carriers.

Verify Your Message Category

Make sure your messaging doesn't fall into these forbidden categories:

  • Debt relief or financial programs: Debt consolidation, forgiveness, or similar programs are prohibited
  • Lead generation marketing: Messages used to acquire new leads aren't allowed—this includes bought lists, shared databases, or unclear opt-in practices
  • Lending and investment promotions: Promotional campaigns for lending or investment brands are disallowed (even if first-party). These programs can only send transactional notifications
  • Data sharing: If your website mentions sharing data with affiliates or third parties, your registration will likely be rejected
For childcare programs: Standard enrollment reminders, tour confirmations, payment receipts, and program updates are all compliant message types.

Avoid Deceptive Advertising

Your website must NOT include:

  • False claims about your program or services
  • Missing required disclosures
  • Misleading information
  • Hidden terms in small print
  • Unverified comparative claims

How to Register as a Sole Proprietor Brand

Follow these steps carefully to complete your Sole Proprietor Brand registration:

Step 1: Navigate to Trust Center

  1. Click Settings from your Client Account
  2. Select Phone System under Business Services
  3. Click on the Trust Center tab
[SCREENSHOT: Settings menu showing Phone System under Business Services, with Trust Center tab highlighted]

Step 2: Determine Profile Needs

Pro tip: You can verify your business name at opencorporates.com to confirm it doesn't have an EIN registered.
  1. Click Start Registration under the A2P Messaging (SMS) tab
  2. Select United States or Canada from the "In which country is your business entity registered?" dropdown
  3. Select "No, the business I'm registering does not have a tax ID" from the tax ID question
  4. Click Continue
[SCREENSHOT: Trust Center registration start screen showing country selection and tax ID question]

Step 3: Add Business Details

Important: Make sure your business name doesn't include "LLC" or any terms suggesting it's more than a sole proprietorship.
  1. Enter either the legal name of your childcare program or your own name if you operate under your personal name
  2. Click Continue

Step 4: Add Business Address

  1. Select your Country
  2. Select your State/Province/Region
  3. Add your Street Address (must be a valid address linked to your business—don't add a P.O. box in this field)
  4. Add your City
  5. Enter your Postal/Zip code
  6. Click Continue
For U.S. programs: The address you provide should match the address mentioned in your cp575 form.
[SCREENSHOT: Business address form showing all required fields]

Step 5: Add Contact Information of Authorized Representative

This can be anyone who can answer questions about your program if needed. You cannot reuse contact information between brands—each registration must have unique contact details.

  1. Add the First and Last Name of your authorized representative
  2. Add their Email Address (use a public email domain like Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo—not business domains. Don't use the same email for more than 5 brands)
  3. Add their Phone Number (must be reachable and not used for more than 5 brands)
  4. Select their Job Position from the list or select "Other" and enter a custom title
  5. Click Continue
Note: Private email domains are not eligible for Sole Proprietor registration. Make sure you're using a public email service.

Step 6: Business Use Case Acknowledgement

Important: Only one phone number can be linked to a Sole Proprietor campaign. Once approved, your default number will be linked automatically, but you can update it after approval if needed.

The Brand and Campaign type is automatically set to "Sole Proprietor" based on your earlier responses.

  1. Check the box to acknowledge the applicable fees and charges
  2. Click Continue

Step 7: Add Business Brand Details

  1. Enter either the legal name of your childcare program or your own name if you operate under your personal name
  2. Select your Business Industry from the dropdown. If an exact match isn't available, choose the category that best aligns with your program (look for education, childcare, or similar categories)
  3. Add a Phone Number (do NOT use Enrollio phone numbers for this field)
  4. Click Continue
Important: Enter a mobile number where you can receive text messages to complete OTP verification. Only U.S. or Canadian mobile numbers are accepted.
[SCREENSHOT: Brand details form showing business name, industry dropdown, and phone number field]

Step 8: Add Campaign Details

  1. Enter a Campaign Name that describes your messaging use (e.g., "ABC Childcare Enrollment Updates")
  2. Select your Campaign Type (typically "Mixed" for childcare programs that send both transactional and promotional messages)
  3. Provide sample messages that demonstrate what you'll send to families
  4. Describe your opt-in process (how parents consent to receiving messages)
  5. Click Continue
[SCREENSHOT: Campaign details form showing name, type, and sample message fields]

Step 9: User Consent

  1. Review your registration details carefully
  2. Check the box to confirm all information is accurate and complete
  3. Acknowledge that you understand the terms and conditions
  4. Click Submit

Step 10: Identity Verification

After submission, you'll be prompted to verify your identity through Persona verification. This step confirms you are who you say you are and helps prevent fraud.

  1. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete identity verification
  2. You'll need to provide a government-issued ID
  3. Complete the verification process using your mobile device

Tips to Successfully Pass Identity Verification

  • Use current information: Make sure your ID is current and not expired
  • Clear photos: Take clear, well-lit photos of your ID with all information visible
  • Match your details: Ensure the name and address on your ID match what you entered in your registration
  • Complete promptly: Verification links may expire, so complete the process as soon as you receive it
  • Use a mobile device: The verification process works best on a smartphone with a camera
  • Check your email: Watch for verification emails and follow instructions carefully

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does approval take?

Most Sole Proprietor registrations are reviewed within 1-2 business days, though some may take up to 5 business days depending on carrier review times.

What if my registration is rejected?

You'll receive an email explaining the reason for rejection. Address the issues mentioned and submit a new registration with the corrected information.

Can I have multiple phone numbers?

No, Sole Proprietor campaigns are limited to one phone number per campaign. If you need multiple numbers, you'll need to register as a Low Volume Standard Brand instead.

What happens after approval?

Once approved, your phone number will be automatically linked to your campaign. You can begin sending compliant text messages to families immediately.

Can I update my information later?

Some information can be updated after approval, but major changes may require a new registration. Contact Enrollio support if you need to make significant changes to your registration.

What are the ongoing fees?

There are monthly fees associated with maintaining your A2P registration. These fees are charged by carriers and The Campaign Registry (TCR), not by Enrollio. You'll see these fees outlined during the registration process.