Master Canadian 10DLC A2P Registration in GoHighLevel

If you're running SMS campaigns to Canadian contacts or managing cross-border messaging through GoHighLevel, A2P 10DLC registration isn't optional—it's a compliance requirement that directly impacts your delivery rates and sender reputation. Many agencies overlook the nuanced Canadian messaging policies, leading to filtered messages, account suspensions, or failed campaigns. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to register, when you need to do it, and how to implement it in GoHighLevel so your messages reach inboxes, not spam folders.

Whether you're sending to contacts in Canada, the US, or both, understanding the differences between these markets is critical. That's why I've compiled this comprehensive breakdown of A2P registration requirements specifically for Canadian 10DLC numbers. Ready to master this? Join thousands of agencies using GoHighLevel to streamline compliance and messaging in one platform.

What Is A2P 10DLC Registration and Why It Matters for Canadian Numbers

A2P stands for Application-to-Person messaging. 10DLC means 10-Digit Long Code—the standard North American phone number format your customers see when they receive your SMS. Unlike short codes (which cost significantly more and require separate registration), 10DLC is the go-to solution for most agencies and businesses.

A2P registration is essentially a compliance verification process. Carriers (Bell, Rogers, Telus in Canada, and AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile in the US) require brands to register their messaging intent before sending high-volume SMS. Without registration, carriers treat your messages as suspicious, which means:

• Messages get filtered or blocked entirely
• Delivery rates drop dramatically
• Your sender reputation suffers
• Your account risks suspension

GoHighLevel integrates with Twilio to manage this registration, but the rules differ between Canadian and US messaging. That's where most agencies get confused.

A2P Registration Requirements: Canada vs. US Messaging

This is the critical distinction that separates compliant campaigns from flagged ones. Canada and the US have different carrier regulations, and GoHighLevel's updated policies reflect this.

Messaging Within Canada (Canada to Canada): If you're sending SMS exclusively to Canadian phone numbers from a Canadian 10DLC number, A2P registration is optional. However, this doesn't mean you should skip it. Even for domestic Canadian messaging, registering your brand and campaign demonstrates legitimacy and improves deliverability. It's like having a business license—not always legally required, but it establishes trust.

Messaging from Canada to the US (Cross-Border): This is where registration becomes mandatory. The moment you send SMS from a Canadian number to a US phone number, you're subject to TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) rules and must have completed A2P Brand and Campaign registration. The US carriers absolutely require this.

Messaging from US Numbers: If you're using US-based 10DLC numbers, A2P registration is always required, regardless of whether you're messaging US or Canadian contacts.

The rule of thumb: If your messaging crosses borders, registration is mandatory. If it stays domestic within Canada, it's recommended but not required—but GoHighLevel best practices suggest doing it anyway.

When Registration Is Required Based on Your Number Purchase Date

GoHighLevel updated its Canadian 10DLC messaging policies on February 18, 2025. Your number's purchase date determines your compliance timeline.

Numbers Purchased After February 18, 2025: All new Canadian 10DLC numbers come with the updated policy built in. You must complete A2P Brand and Campaign registration if you plan any cross-border messaging (Canada to US) or high-volume domestic Canadian messaging. Registration should be completed before you start sending campaigns.

Numbers Purchased Before February 18, 2025: Legacy numbers may have grandfather-in provisions, but this doesn't mean you're exempt forever. GoHighLevel provides a transition period, but you should initiate registration immediately to avoid future service interruptions. Carriers are tightening enforcement, and legacy numbers will eventually fall under the same requirements.

Action Item: Log into your GoHighLevel account, navigate to your phone number settings, and note the purchase date. If it's before February 18, 2025, check your account dashboard for any compliance notices. If you haven't received guidance, reach out to GoHighLevel support for clarity on your specific situation.

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Step-by-Step A2P Brand & Campaign Registration in GoHighLevel

Step 1: Verify Your Twilio Integration GoHighLevel uses Twilio as its SMS carrier backbone. Before registering for A2P, ensure your Twilio account is properly connected to your GoHighLevel workspace. In GHL, go to Settings → Integrations → Twilio and confirm your account is active and authenticated.

Step 2: Access Your Phone Number Settings Navigate to Settings → Phone Numbers and select the Canadian 10DLC number requiring registration. You'll see a section labeled "A2P Registration Status." If it shows "Not Started" or "Incomplete," you're ready to register.

Step 3: Register Your Brand Click "Register Brand" and fill in your business information:

• Legal business name (must match official registration)
• Business address and phone number
• Tax ID (EIN in US, BN in Canada)
• Business type (corporation, sole proprietor, nonprofit, etc.)
• Website URL

This process takes 5-10 minutes. Once submitted, Twilio/carriers review your brand registration—typically 1-3 business days for Canadian numbers.

Step 4: Create Your Campaign After brand approval, register your campaign. This is where you describe what you'll be messaging about:

• Campaign name (e.g., "Q1 Sales Follow-Up" or "Customer Support Alerts")
• Campaign category (Select from: Marketing, Account Notifications, Fraud Alerts, 2FA, etc.)
• Use case description (What will you actually message about? Be specific.)
• Expected message volume per day
• Sample message (Provide 2-3 examples of actual messages customers will receive)
• Subscriber opt-in method (How do customers consent to receive your messages?)

Step 5: Submit and Monitor Status Once submitted, your campaign enters review—typically 2-7 business days for Canadian 10DLC. GoHighLevel displays your registration status in the dashboard. You'll receive email notifications when your campaign is approved or if additional information is needed.

Step 6: Enable Messaging (After Approval) Once approved, your Canadian 10DLC number is fully activated for A2P messaging. You can now begin sending SMS campaigns through GoHighLevel. The platform will automatically enforce message compliance rules based on your registered use case.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Registering the Same Brand and Campaign Multiple Times Some agencies create duplicate registrations thinking they need separate campaigns for different customer segments. You don't. One well-defined campaign covers all related messaging (e.g., all sales and support messages under "Business Communications"). Multiple registrations actually raise red flags.

Mistake 2: Vague Use Case Descriptions Writing "General marketing" or "Customer outreach" gets rejected or triggers compliance reviews. Instead, be specific: "Appointment reminders for dental practices" or "Password reset and account security alerts for SaaS platforms." Carriers need to know exactly what you're messaging about.

Mistake 3: Submitting Non-Compliant Sample Messages If your sample messages contain promotional language, urgent calls-to-action, or phrases like "Act Now!" in a 2FA campaign, carriers will reject it. Match your samples to your stated use case. A "notifications" campaign should show neutral, informational messages.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Carrier Filtering Rules Even with A2P registration approved, carriers still filter messages based on content patterns. Messages with excessive links, shorteners, or spam-flagged keywords ("Free," "Limited Time," "Guarantee") get filtered. Your registration isn't a free pass—it's compliance that enables delivery.

Mistake 5: Sending to Unconfirmed Opt-Ins Document your subscriber opt-in method before registering your campaign. If carriers find you're messaging contacts who didn't explicitly opt in, your entire campaign gets suspended, and your brand reputation tanks. Always maintain clean, consented lists.

Messaging Fees and Carrier Costs After Registration

A2P registration itself is free through GoHighLevel, but messaging has associated costs:

Monthly 10DLC Number Fee: $1–$5 per number per month (varies by carrier). This is your access to the number itself.

Per-Message Cost: $0.0075–$0.015 per SMS (domestic US/Canada) depending on your plan and carrier. International messages cost more.

Toll-Free Messaging: If you upgrade to toll-free numbers, expect $0.0135+ per message, but they have better deliverability and fewer restrictions.

Short Codes: If you eventually need a short code (5-6 digit number for ultra-high volume or critical alerts), expect $1,000+ monthly plus per-message fees. This is overkill for most agencies unless you're sending millions of messages monthly.

GoHighLevel's transparent pricing structure shows all fees upfront in your billing dashboard. No hidden surprises.

Final Thoughts: Mastering A2P 10DLC registration for Canadian numbers isn't complicated once you understand the rules. The key is knowing when registration is required (cross-border messaging = mandatory), submitting accurate information upfront, and avoiding the common mistakes that trigger rejections. GoHighLevel makes the process straightforward with guided workflows, but the responsibility for accurate, honest registration sits with you. Get it right the first time, and your Canadian SMS campaigns will have industry-leading delivery rates and zero compliance headaches.