10DLC for sole proprietors (no EIN): the phone-verification path

Sole proprietors don't need an EIN to unlock texting. In the 10DLC wizard, choose the entity type "Sole Proprietor (no EIN — verified by phone)" — instead of a tax ID, the carrier registry texts a 6-digit code to your personal mobile, and entering that code finishes identity verification. Your messaging campaign then submits automatically, with no extra clicks.

Before you start

• Read the main 10DLC verification guide first — this article covers only what's different for sole proprietors.
• You'll need your personal US/CA mobile phone at hand.
• Carrier limits: a sole-proprietor registration is capped at one campaign and one phone number by the carrier registry.

Step 1 — Pick the Sole Proprietor entity type

1. Open the 10DLC Compliance Registration wizard (on the Messages page, or Settings → Messaging & Compliance).
2. On the Brand Verification tab, set Entity Type to "Sole Proprietor (no EIN — verified by phone)". The EIN field disappears.
3. Fill in Your Mobile Phone — the helper explains: "Your personal cell — the identity verification code is texted here. US/CA mobile only."
4. Complete the rest of the business fields and click Save & Verify Brand. You'll see "Business submitted! Enter the code we just texted to your mobile to finish."

Step 2 — Enter the 6-digit code

A card titled "Verify your phone to finish registration" appears, showing the last digits of your mobile:

1. Type the 6 digits from the text message (you can paste the whole code into the first box).
2. Press the verify button. On success you'll see "Verified! Your campaign submits automatically now."
3. No code? Click "Didn't get it? Resend code" — you'll get "New code sent". Note: "Codes expire after 24 hours. Resending issues a fresh code."

Step 3 — The campaign submits itself

Once your phone is verified, the campaign is created and submitted automatically — the system picks you up within about a minute. The use case is fixed by the carrier registry for sole proprietors (the campaign form labels it "Use case (Sole Proprietor — fixed by the carrier registry)"), so there's nothing to choose there.

From here the flow matches every other business: campaign review typically takes 1-3 business days, and your number's SMS Status flips to Ready once carriers approve.

Troubleshooting

• "Enter all 6 digits from the text message." — the verify button needs the full code; check for a missed digit.
• "That code didn't match. Try again." — re-enter carefully, or resend a fresh code (the old one may have expired).
• Campaign submission is locked — the campaign tab shows "Verify your phone (Brand Verification tab) — campaign submission unlocks right after." Finish the code entry first.
• Need more than one texting number — the sole-proprietor path is capped at one campaign and one number. Register with an EIN as a company to lift the cap.