Toll-Free Messaging Verification: What Changed on January 1, 2026

As of January 1, 2026, new Toll-Free number verification requests must include additional business identity information to be accepted by carriers. These requirements are now mandatory for all new Toll-Free SMS and MMS verification submissions.

Specifically, carriers now require the following fields with every new Toll-Free Verified Sender Form submission:

• Business Registration Number (BRN): such as a U.S. EIN (Employer Identification Number) or other government-issued business ID.
• Issuing Country of Business Registration: where your business is legally registered.
• Entity Type: e.g., public profit, private profit, non-profit, government, or sole proprietor (sole proprietors may undergo additional vetting). 

These additions mark a meaningful shift in the Toll-Free messaging ecosystem, bringing it closer to the verification rigor already familiar in A2P 10DLC.

What This Doesn’t Affect

Existing Toll-Free numbers verified before January 1, 2026 are not impacted. 

If your number was previously approved, you do not need to resubmit it or provide additional details. These requirements apply only to new verification requests submitted on or after the 2026 deadline.

Why These Changes Matter

Carriers and the broader messaging ecosystem are tightening verification controls to:

• Reduce spam, phishing, and abusive traffic
• Increase trust and transparency across networks
• Improve deliverability for verified senders
• Align Toll-Free verification more closely with 10DLC standards 

In short, Toll-Free messaging is no longer the “easy way out” for avoiding compliance. It now carries much of the same scrutiny as other A2P channels.

What You Should Do Now

If you plan to register new Toll-Free numbers going forward, make sure you:

1. Have your business documentation ready, especially your BRN (EIN or equivalent).
2. Update your verification workflows to collect and submit all required fields.
3. Work with your messaging provider to ensure your submissions meet carrier requirements.

Acting now helps avoid delays, rejected submissions, and compliance issues as carriers enforce these rules at scale.

Looking Ahead

The messaging landscape continues to evolve toward stricter identity verification across all A2P channels—whether that’s 10DLC, Toll-Free, or Short Code. As these standards converge, what matters most for SaaS platforms and ISVs is working with a messaging partner that stays ahead of these changes and helps navigate compliance with minimal friction.

Ultimately, the two most important things an ISV can do are to choose the right messaging channel—10DLC, Toll-Free, or Short Code—and to make that decision based on their business model and use case, not on which option appears to be the path of least resistance for compliance or turn-up.

If you have questions about how these changes affect your platform’s messaging strategy, or want help ensuring your Toll-Free traffic remains compliant and deliverable, contact us anytime.

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