Disclosure: This post contains a referral link to doola. If you sign up through it, 10DLC.us may earn a referral benefit at no extra cost to you.
You've decided to text your customers. Appointment reminders, order updates, promotions: it's one of the most effective channels a business can have. Then you start the 10DLC registration and hit the first question: what's your business's legal name and EIN?
If you don't have a registered company yet, that's where things stop. The good news is that forming a business is much simpler than most people expect, and it can be done entirely online.
Here's how it works, step by step.
Why 10DLC cares about your business registration
10DLC registration starts with your brand: the business that's sending the messages. Carriers use your legal business details and tax ID to confirm that a real, accountable business is behind your texts.
There is a sole proprietor option for people without an EIN, but it typically comes with tighter limits on campaigns, phone numbers, and message volume. If you plan to grow, run more than one use case, or send at any real volume, a registered company with an EIN is the stronger foundation.
Step 1: Choose your business structure
Most small businesses choose between two structures.
- LLC (limited liability company). Simple to run, flexible on taxes, and it separates your personal assets from the business. This is the most common choice for small businesses and solo founders.
- C-Corporation. Better suited to startups that plan to raise money from investors or issue stock. It comes with more formalities and a different tax setup.
If you're unsure, an LLC is usually the simpler place to start. For tax decisions, it's worth a quick conversation with an accountant.
Step 2: Pick your state
If you live and operate in the US, forming in your home state is usually the simplest option. Forming elsewhere can mean registering in your home state as well.
If you're a founder outside the US, states like Delaware and Wyoming are popular choices. Delaware is favored by investor-backed startups, while Wyoming is known for lower fees and simple upkeep.
Step 3: Choose and check your business name
Your company name needs to be available in your chosen state and must include the right ending, like "LLC" or "Inc."
Pick carefully, because this name matters for 10DLC too. The legal name you register will need to line up with your 10DLC brand details and with your website. Name mismatches are one of the most common reasons 10DLC registrations run into trouble.
Step 4: Appoint a registered agent
Every US company needs a registered agent: a person or service with a physical address in the state of formation who receives official legal and government mail. If you don't live in that state, or you'd rather not list your home address publicly, a registered agent service handles this for you.
Step 5: File your formation documents
To create the company, you file formation paperwork with the state. For an LLC this is usually called the Articles of Organization. For a corporation it's the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation. Once the state approves it, your company legally exists.
Step 6: Get your EIN
Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's federal tax ID, issued by the IRS. It's the number 10DLC brand registration asks for.
If you have a US Social Security Number, you can usually apply online with the IRS. Founders without an SSN typically apply by fax or mail, which can take considerably longer. This is one of the steps where a formation service saves the most time.
When your EIN arrives, keep the IRS confirmation letter. It shows your exact legal name as the IRS has it, which is the version to use in your 10DLC registration.
Step 7: Set up the essentials
With your company formed and EIN issued, a few more pieces round out the setup: an operating agreement (for LLCs), a business bank account, and a calendar for ongoing state filings like annual reports. Requirements vary by state, so check what applies to yours.
The easy way: let doola handle it
You can do every step above yourself. But if you'd rather skip the forms, state websites, and IRS waiting, doola handles business formation for you, online.
doola helps founders in the US and around the world form a US LLC or C-Corp, with services that cover the steps that usually slow people down, including state filing, registered agent service, and getting your EIN. It's especially useful if you're outside the US and want to sell to American customers.
Register your company with doola →
Check doola's site for current packages and pricing, since what's included can vary by plan.
After registration: your 10DLC checklist
Once your company and EIN are ready, you're set for the next stage. Before you submit your 10DLC brand and campaign, make sure:
- Your legal name and EIN match your IRS letter exactly
- Your business address and contact details are current and consistent everywhere
- Your website reflects your registered business and supports the messaging use case you're registering
That last point is where many new businesses get stuck. A brand-new company often has no website yet, or a quick placeholder that won't hold up in review.
Get your 10DLC-ready website from 10DLC.us
10DLC.us builds websites designed around the website requirements of the 10DLC process, using your new business details.
With Builder ($9.90), you enter your business and campaign information, and our AI creates a complete website, including privacy, terms, contact page, and opt-in flow, ready to deploy on your own domain.
With Agent ($89/year), our team builds and reviews the website for you and corrects any website-related issues at no extra fee.
Build your 10DLC-ready website →
Formation and a 10DLC-ready website don't guarantee carrier approval on their own, since approval also depends on your registration details and messaging practices. But together they take care of the two foundations most new businesses are missing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an EIN for 10DLC?
For standard brand registration, yes. There is a sole proprietor option without an EIN, but it typically comes with tighter limits on campaigns, numbers, and volume.
Should I form an LLC or a corporation?
Most small businesses start with an LLC because it's simpler to run. Corporations are more common for startups raising investment. An accountant can help you decide.
Can I form a US company if I live outside the US?
Yes. Non-US founders can form US LLCs and corporations. Services like doola are built to help with this, including getting an EIN without an SSN.
How long does it take to register a company?
It depends on the state and how you get your EIN. Online formation can move quickly, while EIN applications without an SSN usually take longer.
Does my website need to match my company name?
It should. Your legal business name, 10DLC brand details, and website should tell the same story. Mismatches are a common cause of registration problems.
