The opt-in form is where a person agrees to get your texts. Reviewers want proof that the agreement was clear and freely given. Twilio calls opt-in problems a major cause of rejections, and it has several error codes just for checkbox and consent wording. CTIA's guidelines say the call-to-action should tell people who is texting, what the program is, the fees, how to opt out, and where the privacy policy is.

What is on the opt-in form checklist?

1. Separate SMS checkbox. Not combined with accepting your terms or privacy policy (Twilio 30925).
2. Unchecked by default (Twilio 30925).
3. Optional. People can leave it unchecked and still submit the form (Twilio 30923, 30931). Consent is not a condition of purchase (47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9)).
4. Phone field optional, unless texting is the form's only purpose (Bandwidth, Telnyx).
5. SMS-only consent. Email or phone call consent is asked separately (Telnyx).
6. Separate marketing checkbox if you also send informational texts (Twilio 30913).
7. Disclosure next to the checkbox, not hidden in a linked document (Twilio 30924).
8. Disclosure covers: brand name, message type, how often you text, a note that message and data rates may apply, how to opt out with STOP, and how to get help with HELP (Twilio 30924, Telnyx, Vonage).
9. Real links to privacy policy and terms, not pop-ups (Telnyx).
10. Keep consent records: timestamp, how and where, the wording shown, campaign, IP address, phone number, and who consented (CTIA 5.1.2).

What should the checkbox disclosure cover?

Reviewers read the words next to the box line by line. They check that the disclosure:

• Names your brand exactly as registered.
• Says what kind of texts people will get, such as reminders or offers.
• Says how often you text, or that it varies.
• Mentions that message and data rates may apply.
• Explains that replying STOP opts out and replying HELP gets help.
• Says consent is not a condition of purchase.
• Links to your privacy policy and terms pages.

If you send marketing texts as well as informational ones, the marketing consent needs its own optional box with its own disclosure. Wording that is close but missing one of these parts is a common reason for Twilio error 30924.

Included in your Registration Kit: the finished opt-in disclosure written for your brand and your message types, matched to the form on your site, ready to paste. Build my order →

What replies should my texting program send?

CTIA 5.1.2.1 says recurring programs should send a confirmation first, with the program name, customer care contact, how to opt out, that messages recur and how often, and fee language. TCR says opt-out and help messages are mandatory for most campaigns. Twilio error 30890 says a help message needs the brand name plus a phone number or email.

In plain terms, you need three replies:

1. Opt-in confirmation. Sent right after someone signs up. It names your brand and program, says how often you text, mentions rates, and explains HELP and STOP.
2. HELP reply. Names your brand and gives a way to reach a person, by phone or email.
3. STOP reply. Names your brand and confirms the person will get no more texts.

Included in your Registration Kit: your opt-in confirmation, HELP reply and STOP reply, written with your brand name and contact details, ready to paste into your provider's form. Build my order →

Which providers say this?

A blank cell means we did not find that rule in that provider's pages, not that it is allowed.

What are common opt-in mistakes?

• Pre-checked boxes, or one box that also accepts your terms.
• A line saying that submitting the form means agreeing to texts, with no checkbox at all.
• Disclosure in small print far below the button, or only in the terms page.
• A required phone field on a general contact form.
• One checkbox covering texts, emails, and calls.
• The opt-in page is not public, or the message flow doesn't link to it (Twilio 30891).

How does 10DLC Site handle it?

Each site includes a public opt-in page with an unchecked, optional SMS checkbox, disclosure text next to the box, and links to your privacy policy and terms. You get the page URL to paste into your message flow. Compliance Watch checks daily that the opt-in form is still on the page.

Sources

• CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023)
• 47 CFR 64.1200 (Cornell LII)
• Twilio error 30913
• Twilio error 30923
• Twilio error 30924
• Twilio error 30925
• Twilio error 30931
• Telnyx 10DLC Campaign Compliance Guide
• Bandwidth: New requirements for 10DLC vetting
• Vonage 10DLC Campaign requirements

Want to see how your form measures up? Compare your site with the checklist, or see pricing for a site with a compliant opt-in form built in.