Provision a US short code for high-volume SMS through a carrier/CSP leasing process.
domain: usshortcodes.com · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Choose random (carrier-assigned) or vanity (self-selected, higher cost) short code type.
Submit a leasing application through your CSP/aggregator (e.g. Twilio) including a program brief describing message types and opt-in method.
Expect provider review (roughly 1-2 weeks) followed by carrier approval, historically averaging 6-10+ weeks total before the code is live on all major US carriers.
Once approved and connected to your account, send messages using the standard Messaging API with the short code as the From value — no special API is needed for day-to-day sending.
Document opt-in/opt-out handling (STOP/HELP) as part of the program brief before approval.
Known gotchas
Leasing/registration itself is not self-service via any API — it's an application-and-approval workflow through CSCA/iconectiv, unlike 10DLC or toll-free registration.
Timelines are estimates from carrier processes, not contractual SLAs — build launch plans with buffer.
Vanity codes cost more and have a smaller available pool than random codes.
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