Objective
To keep messaging safe, trusted, and reliable for everyone, we’re making updates to the Toll-Free Verification (TFV) process. Starting on September 30th 2025, customers can begin including their Business Registration Number (BRN) as part of the submission process. Beginning February 17th 2026, BRNs will be mandatory for all new TFV submissions.
This early heads-up gives you and your customers time to prepare and ensures that when the new requirements go live, you’re ready to go.
This article covers everything you need to know about BRN and other optional field requirements in Toll-Free Verification.
Environment
legacy Twilio Console
Procedure
What Should Customers Do Now
We strongly encourage customers to:
- Begin collecting BRNs and supporting business registration documentation.
- Gather any additional details (opt-in language, privacy URLs, etc.) that can strengthen submissions.
- ISVs and partners should begin updating their onboarding flows to collect these fields from customers.
Twilio will also update in-console forms and our Error and Warning Dictionary with improved troubleshooting for BRN-related submissions.
Why This Matters
These changes are part of a broader industry shift toward greater accountability and message legitimacy. BRNs help ensure messages:
- Originate from a registered business entity
- Match known industry use cases
- Comply with opt-in expectations and content policies
They also help reduce spam, improve deliverability, and support long-term trust across carrier networks.
Troubleshooting BRN Validation Failures
If your TFV submission fails due to a BRN validation error, it is typically due to a mismatch between your input and authoritative data sources. Use this checklist to resolve the issue.
1. Match the Legal Business Name Exactly
For US entities, the name must match the IRS CP 575 EIN Confirmation Letter or an IRS 147C letter.
- Avoid DBAs: Do not use "Doing Business As" names unless they are legally registered as the primary entity name.
- No "Helpful" Edits: Do not abbreviate, add/remove punctuation, or change spacing.
- Multi-line Names: If the IRS letter spans multiple lines, combine all lines above the address into a single name value.
2. Verify Number and Format
- EIN: Ensure the number is 9 digits.
- CBN: Ensure you are only providing the core 9-digit identifier and not the suffix.
- Personal IDs: Do not use personal SSNs or identifiers where a business registration is required.
3. Account for Timing (New Businesses)
If you have confirmed all inputs are accurate and the failure persists, open a support ticket and include:
- Verification ID
- Phone Number
-
Supporting Docs: Attach a copy of your CP 575/147C letter or similar document for entities outside of the US.
Additional Information
Policy Details by Region
US-Based Organizations
- Required BRN: Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- The EIN must match the legal business name in your submission.
- If no EIN is available (e.g., a self-run business or sole prop with no employees), you may indicate this through setting the businessType to SOLE_PROPRIETOR.
Organizations Outside the US
- Provide your official business registration number as issued by a national or local business authority.
- You must also include:
- Legal business name
- Issuing country
-
Name of the registration authority (e.g., Companies House in the UK, Corporations Canada, etc.)
What’s Changing
We’re adding three fields to the TFV submission form with respect to BRN requirements:
- Business Registration Number (BRN)
- Business Registration Type
- Issuing Country of Business Registration
For now, these fields will be optional but starting February 17th 2026, they’ll be required for all new Toll-Free Verifications.
Optional Fields Now Supported
To improve opt-in transparency and streamline verification, we’ve also added support for several new optional fields:
Note: Some of these fields are expected to become required at a future date. We recommend populating them now to avoid delays later and to strengthen your application.
Business Identity & Classification
| Field | Description |
| businessName | Used to validate the BRN registration. |
| doingBusinessAs | Doing Business As (DBA) name of the business, if applicable |
| businessType | Legal entity type: SOLE_PROPRIETOR, PRIVATE_PROFIT, PUBLIC_PROFIT, NON_PROFIT, GOVERNMENT |
| businessRegistrationNumber | A legally recognized business registration number |
| businessRegistrationAuthority | The organizational authority for business registrations, valid values are detailed below. |
Opt-In & Messaging Flows
| Field | Description |
| optInConfirmationMessage | The automated response users receive after opting in |
| helpMessageResponse | The message returned when users text HELP |
| optInKeywords | The keywords used to trigger opt-in to the messaging campaign |
Policies & Compliance
| Field | Description |
| privacyPolicyURL | Link to the business’s privacy policy |
| termsAndConditionsUrl | Link to the business’s terms and conditions |
| ageGatedContent | Whether the content requires age gating (e.g., 18+) — true or false |
Populating these fields now ensures your applications are complete and ready for any future enforcement. We'll provide proactive notice before any optional field becomes mandatory.
Supported Business Registration Authority Values
| Value | Description |
| EIN | Employer Identification Number |
| CBN |
Canadian Business Number Only accepts the first 9 numeric digits of the BN (BN-9). |
| PROVINCIAL_NUMBER | Canadian Provincial Numbers |
| CRN | Company Registration Number |
| VAT | Value Added Tax |
| ACN | Australian Company Number |
| ABN | Australian Business Number |
| BRN | Business Registration Number |
| SIREN | SIREN (Système d'Identification du Répertoire des Entreprises) |
| SIRET | 14-digit French identification number for a business establishment |
| NZBN | New Zealand Business Number |
| USt-IdNr | Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer for VAT |
| CIF | Código de Identificación Fiscal |
| NIF | for individuals and some companies |
| CNPJ | Cadastro Nacional Da Pessoa Jurídica |
| UID | Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer |
| NEQ | Numero d'entreprise du Quebec (Quebec, Canada) |
| OTHER | Other |
How To Stay Informed
We’ll continue to share updates as the enforcement date approaches. For now, start preparing so your verification workflows remain seamless.
If you're building against the API, be sure to check out the Twilio API Docs for code samples and detailed guidance on how to include the new fields in your Toll-Free Verification requests.