Toll Free Verification and 10DLC Registration

Quick Resources + Links to Get Toll Free or 10DLC Numbers:

• FORM: Request a 10DLC Number
• FORM: Submit NEW Cycle's 10DLC Token
• FORM: Request a Toll Free Number
• VIDEO: How to Request a 10DLC Number
• VIDEO: How to Request a Toll Free Verified Number

10DLC Registered FAQ + Process

What are local registered (10DLC) numbers?

10DLC stands for ten-digit long code. 10DLC registered sending numbers are ten-digit numbers with local area codes. We may not always be able to get your top choice local area codes, but we will work with you based on what is available.

How long does it take to get a local registered (10DLC) number?

After we receive your submission, it takes an average of 3-5 business days for a number to get approved. We are always happy to process local registered (10DLC) requests and encourage you to get those requests in early for new races being launched, even if you are still finalizing some details and texting plans, so you can benefit from better prices and deliverability from day 1.

How much does getting a local registered (10DLC) number cost?

527 organizations (political committees, campaigns, PACs, political parties) must get vetted by Campaign Verify, a third-party vetting provider. The Campaign Verify vetting costs a one-time $95 fee per two year cycle. 501c3s and 501c4s do not need to go through the Campaign Verify process. However we recommend having your determination letter ready just in case we need to prove tax-exempt status.

After the Campaign Verify process, there are no additional costs for using or setting up local registered (10DLC) numbers with Switchboard.

What do you need to provide Switchboard in your 10DLC request submission?:

1. Legal Name of Organization: The legal name should match what appears on government documents such as IRS tax forms.
2. Organization's Website: This must be a working website and cannot be blank, private, or under construction. 
3. Organization Mailing Address: The address should match what appears on government documents such as IRS tax forms.
4. Name, email, and phone number for point of contact of this campaign/ organization: This process moves the quickest if it is the contact of someone who works directly with the organization you are submitting for. We have never seen this contact information used, but they require us to provide it.
5. 2 Sample Text Messages: We need two examples of the kind of text messages you will be sending for this organization.
   We can pull directly from your account if you’ve already texted with Switchboard.
   If you haven’t texted yet with Switchboard, we need two examples of something that you may send but no need to overthink it – just write a short and simple text that reflects the program you will be running.
6. Organization's EIN: This is a nine-digit number provided by the IRS. If you don't have an EIN, you can apply for one here.
7. For 527 Organizations*, we need a Campaign Verify Token.
   * 527 organizations are political campaigns, PACs or Parties and we will not be able to complete this process without a token.

1. A Link to an Opt-in Form.

You must provide a link to a form that complies with carrier standards for gathering phone numbers and obtaining opt-in consent.

You can place this form on your website or as a standalone form. If your website does not have a privacy policy, it should be incorporated into this form.

• Your opt-in flow should have the following:
  • A checkbox allowing supporters to opt in to receive messages or an optional phone number field
  • This disclaimer:
    • By providing your cell phone number, you consent to receive periodic updates through automated text messages from NAME OF ORG. For SMS, Msg & Data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help, STOP to end. Privacy Policy: LINK TO PRIVACY PAGE
  • A privacy policy

1. For 501c3 or 501c4 Organizations, either an IRS Non-Profit Determination letter, group exemption, or Form 8976. The legal names on this form must match the legal name you provide us.

Campaign Verify FAQ

NEW CYCLE MAINTENANCE:🚨 For all 527 Organizations (campaign, political committees, PACs, political parties): 10DLC Tokens Need Renewing for New Cycle🚨

• 10DLC Campaign Verify Tokens are valid for two-year election cycles. Even if you have an existing 10DLC number for your Switchboard account, you will need to submit a new verification request with Campaign Verify and pay their $95 fee on or after November 15, 2024. This new token will be valid until January 31, 2027.
• All Campaign Verify tokens requested between November 15, 2022, and November 15, 2024, will expire on January 31, 2025.
• NEW CYCLE MAINTENANCE: If your organization's name is changing in the new cycle, you wil need to reregister under the new name here.
• NEW CYCLE MAINTENANCE: If your organization is becoming a 501c3/501c4 or anything other than a 527*, you will need to ensure your EIN is updated and your 10DLC registration is redone. You can give us all the info we need here.

How to apply for Campaign Verify:

What you need to request a token:

1. [For Federal Campaigns/Committees/PACs] FEC ID
2. Link to the filing record and the following info to match the record:
   1. Mailing Address
   2. Phone number
   3. Email
3. You need to have access to the email on the filing record to receive the PIN.
4. Once you receive the secure pin, you can put it into your Campaign Verify account to generate tokens for each of your vendors.

Toll-Free Verified Process + FAQ

What are toll-free verified numbers?

Toll-free numbers are ten-digit numbers with an 8** area code – 833, 844, 855, 866, 877. We have not observed a decreased rate of responses, clicks, or ROI from toll-free verified traffic.

🗣️ This process does not commit you to texting with Switchboard. However, it is a best practice to request registered phone numbers even before you start texting to avoid deliverability issues. We recommend all accounts request local registered or toll-free verified numbers as soon as possible!

How long does it take to get a toll-free verified number?

After we receive your submission, it takes an average of 3-5 business days for a number to get approved. We are always happy to process toll-free verification requests and encourage you to get those requests in early for new races being launched, even if you are still finalizing some details and texting plans, so you can benefit from better prices and deliverability from day 1.

How much does it cost to get a toll-free verified number?

There are no additional costs to using or getting set up with toll-free verified numbers with Switchboard. In fact, you save money because we charge less for toll-free verified traffic compared to local unregistered traffic!

What do you need to provide Switchboard in your toll-free verified request submission?

1. Name of the Organization
2. Contact Information (Name, Email, Phone Number)
   From a person directly at the organization. The vendor will verify that the domain of the provided email matches the organization.
   This person will not be contacted.
3. Website
   The website must be live for this to process.
4. Mailing Address
5. 1 Sample Text Message
   We can pull directly from your account if you’ve already texted with Switchboard.
   If you haven’t texted yet with Switchboard, we need an example of something that you may send but no need to overthink it – just write a short and simple text that reflects the program you will be running.
6. Link to an Opt-in Flow
   You must provide a link to a form that complies with carrier standards for gathering phone numbers and obtaining opt-in consent. You can place this form on your website or as a standalone form. If your website does not have a privacy policy, it should be incorporated into this form.
   Your opt-in flow must have:
   1. An optional phone number field OR a checkbox allowing supporters to opt in to receive messages
   2. A disclaimer like the following:
   By providing your cell phone number, you consent to receive periodic updates through automated text messages from NAME OF ORG. For SMS, Msg & Data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help, STOP to end. Privacy Policy: LINK TO PRIVACY PAGE
   A privacy policy

Example Opt-In Flows

Switchboard Form

ActBlue Form

NGP Form

Form on Campaign/ Organization Website

How to Make an Opt-in Flow in Switchboard

1. Click on the Tools > Forms drop-down menu at the top of your Switchboard page to navigate to your account's forms.
2. Click into the form [TEMPLATE] Opt-In Form.
   If you do not see this form in your account, email us, and we will enable it.
3. In order for this form to be fully compliant, you will need to link your privacy policy to the footer at the bottom of the form. You can either link to a pre-existing privacy policy or create one directly in Switchboard.
4. After you've linked your privacy policy, click Publish Form, at the top of the page.
5. To get the link to share to us in the 10DLC or Toll Free Verified forms, go to Share > Create Shortlink and copy that link.

How to Make a Privacy Policy in Switchboard

1. Click on your organization’s name to open up your menu bar.
2. Click on All Organization Settings.
3. Click Privacy Policy.
4. Click I Understand and Agree.
5. Fill in the form with:
   1. Campaign/organization’s website
   2. Email point of contact
   3. Mailing Address
   4. Disclaimer
      I.e. Paid for by Franklin for America
6. Click Accept Updated Template Configuration.
7. Click Open Privacy Policy Page.