Before your church can send texts it needs its own phone number. In the United States that number must also be registered with the mobile carriers, which takes a few business days — so start this well before the week you need it.
Claim a number
- Open Messages and choose Phone Numbers in the menu on the left.
- Switch to Receive Phone.
- Pick the Country, type an Area code if you want a local one, and click Search.
- Click Claim beside the number you want, read the summary, and confirm.
US churches pay a one-time registration fee when they claim their first number. The amount is shown before you confirm, it is paid once per church, and it covers any future number too.
Activation (United States)
The carriers need to know who is sending. Fill in the activation details exactly as your church is registered: Legal name (exactly as registered with the IRS — a mismatch slows delivery), EIN / Tax ID, Website, the street address, a Contact person with email and phone, and a Mobile number for a confirmation text.
| Status | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Details received | We have what we need to register your number. |
| Verifying your organization | Confirming your organization’s details — the longest step. If we sent a confirmation text to the mobile number you gave, Reply to that text to finish. |
| Carrier review | US carriers are reviewing your number. Nothing is needed from you. |
| Ready to send | Your number can send and receive messages. |
Details received
We have what we need to register your number.
Verifying your organization
Confirming your organization’s details — the longest step. If we sent a confirmation text to the mobile number you gave, Reply to that text to finish.
Carrier review
US carriers are reviewing your number. Nothing is needed from you.
Ready to send
Your number can send and receive messages.
Once it works
- Your plan includes a monthly allowance of SMS credits; see How pricing works.
- Send from Messages — see Send a message.
- People who reply STOP are opted out automatically. If texts are not arriving, see I’m not receiving emails or SMS.