Toll-free SMS verification is the review a toll-free number passes before it can send business texts. It is how most businesses text Canadian mobiles, because Canada has no 10DLC registry. The review checks the business behind the number, what it will send, how people opt in and sample messages. It typically takes one to two weeks.
This guide covers why Canada runs on verified toll-free numbers, every detail the review asks for, the timeline, the reasons numbers get sent back, and how a US business texts Canadian customers. It summarises carrier guidance and Canadian law as read in October 2026. It is not legal advice.
Why do Canadian texts go over verified toll-free numbers?
Canada has no 10DLC registry, and Canadian carriers filter business texts from ordinary numbers heavily. Business texts to Canadian mobiles usually go out from a toll-free number that has passed verification, or from a short code. A US 10DLC registration covers US carriers only.
Toll-free numbers began as voice numbers. CTIA's guidance lists the toll-free codes as "800, 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844" and says "the messaging ecosystem has evolved to allow use of a toll-free telephone number as the identifier for wireless messaging services" (CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices, 2023, section 5.5.6). Newer codes such as 833 are in use as well.
A verified toll-free number can text Canadian and US mobiles. Toll-free vs 10DLC compares the two routes side by side.
What does toll-free verification ask for?
The review looks at one number and the business behind it. These are the details filed for each number:
| Detail | What to give |
|---|---|
| Business name | The legal name, and the trading name if you use one |
| Business type | Private company, non-profit or sole proprietor |
| Business Number | Your Canadian Business Number (BN). A sole proprietor can leave it out |
| Address | The business's street address, city, province, postal code and country |
| Website | A live site that matches the business name |
| Contact | A named person with an email address and phone number |
| Use case | The kind of texts, such as customer care or account notices, and a short summary of what you send |
| Sample messages | Real examples of the texts, with your business name and opt-out wording |
| How people opt in | Web form, paper form, verbal or another route, described step by step |
| A picture of the opt-in | A screenshot of the form or the wording where people agree to texts |
| Monthly volume | About how many texts the number will send a month |
| Privacy policy and terms | Links to both on your website |
Giving the Business Number when you have one can shorten review and lowers the chance of a rejection. The 10DLC checklist covers the same groundwork for US registration.
How long does toll-free verification take?
Typically one to two weeks per number. The carriers set the pace and publish no guaranteed turnaround. Complete, consistent details avoid a second round.
Counting the steps around it, most teams go from applying to their first live number in one to three weeks. Each new toll-free number goes through its own verification, so plan ahead before you add one.
Why do toll-free numbers get sent back?
A number is usually sent back over details a reviewer can't confirm. Common causes:
- The name doesn't match. The business name differs between the form, the website and public records.
- No live website, or one with no privacy policy.
- An opt-in the reviewer can't see. The screenshot is missing, unreadable or doesn't mention texts.
- Samples that don't name the business or carry no opt-out wording.
- A use case that doesn't match the samples, such as "customer care" with promotional samples.
A sent-back number can be corrected and filed again.
Can a US business text Canadian customers?
Yes, from a verified toll-free number, and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation applies to the texts. A commercial text to a Canadian needs express or implied consent (s. 6(1)), must identify the sender and set out an unsubscribe mechanism (s. 6(2)), and an unsubscribe must take effect "without delay, and in any event no later than 10 business days" (s. 11(3)) (CASL, S.C. 2010, c. 23). The Act covers senders outside Canada when a computer system in Canada is used to access the message (s. 12(1)), and a phone in Canada is one.
Canadian recipients may reply ARRET, the French for stop. Treat it the same as STOP. The CASL guide reads the Act section by section for texts.
Can I text Canada with a 10DLC number?
10DLC is the US carriers' registration system and covers US carriers. Canadian carriers filter business texts from ordinary numbers heavily, so use a verified toll-free number for Canadian recipients. Teams that text both countries often run one campaign per country: local numbers for US leads, a toll-free number for Canadian ones, and one opt-out list across both.
Where does Textually fit?
Textually files toll-free verification for you. You fill in your business and campaign details once, including the picture of your opt-in. We file the verification, follow the review and set up the number when it is approved, with no fee for Canadian toll-free verification. A toll-free number is $12 a month. Every text then checks for a consent record, carries the opt-out line until the person writes back, and goes out in your sending hours on the lead's own clock. STOP and ARRET end texts to that person at once. See business texting for Canadian teams, how Textually texts Canadian leads, or get access.
Questions
What is toll-free SMS verification?
It is the review a toll-free number passes before it can send business texts. It checks the business behind the number, what it will send, how people opt in and sample messages. Each number is verified on its own.
How long does toll-free verification take?
Typically one to two weeks per number. The carriers set the pace and publish no guaranteed turnaround, and complete, consistent details avoid a second review.
Do I need a Business Number for toll-free verification?
A Canadian business gives its Business Number. A sole proprietor can be verified without one. Giving the number when you have one can shorten review.
Does toll-free verification cost anything?
There is no fee for Canadian toll-free verification at Textually. You pay the monthly fee for the number, $12 a month.
Can one toll-free number text both Canada and the US?
Yes. A verified toll-free number can text Canadian and US mobiles.
Do I need a new verification for every toll-free number?
Yes. Toll-free verification approves each number on its own, so every number you add goes through it.
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