The National Do Not Call Registry stops most telemarketing calls to your phone

The National Do Not Call Registry is a list maintained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) where you can register your phone number to reduce telemarketing calls. Once your number is on the registry, most companies that make telemarketing calls must stop calling you within 31 days. The registry is free and permanent — your number stays on it unless you remove it yourself.

You register directly with the FTC, not through a third-party service. The process takes less than a minute and you can do it online or by phone. After you register, you can check the status of your number anytime to confirm it is still active.

Key Takeaways

  • Register your phone number at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to protect.
  • Your number stays on the registry permanently unless you remove it, and registration is completely free.
  • Most telemarketing calls must stop within 31 days, but calls from charities, political organizations, and surveys are not covered by the registry.
  • You can check whether your number is registered by visiting donotcall.gov or calling the same number you used to register.
  • If a telemarketer calls after your number has been on the registry for 31 days, you can file a complaint with the FTC at the same website.

How to register online at donotcall.gov

Go to donotcall.gov in any web browser. You will see a box labeled "Register Your Phone" near the top of the page. Enter your phone number and email address, then click the register button. The FTC will send a confirmation email to the address you provided — open that email and click the link inside to complete registration.

Your number becomes active on the registry when ready after you confirm the email. You do not need to do anything else. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder, or try registering again with a different email address.

How to register by phone

Call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. You must call from that specific phone — you cannot register someone else's number by calling from your own phone. The system will ask you to enter your phone number using your keypad, then confirm it. That is the entire process.

The phone line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no hold time or wait to speak to a person — the registration happens automatically through the automated system. If you have trouble with the automated system, you can stay on the line and speak to a representative, but this is not necessary for registration.

What calls the registry does and does not stop

The registry stops calls from companies selling products or services — this includes car rental companies calling about promotions, insurance offers, credit card offers, and similar sales calls. It also stops calls from companies conducting surveys or polls for commercial purposes, and calls from debt collectors trying to collect money you owe.

The registry does not stop calls from charities, political organizations, or candidates running for office. It also does not stop calls from companies you have done business with in the past 18 months, or companies you have given written permission to call. Calls from government agencies, hospitals, and schools are also not covered. If you want these organizations to stop calling, you will need to contact them directly and ask to be removed from their call list.

How long it takes for calls to stop

Telemarketers have 31 days from the date your number is registered to stop calling you. During those 31 days, you may still receive calls — this is normal and does not mean your registration failed. After 31 days have passed, most calls should stop. Some calls may continue if the company did not update its system in time, but these are violations of the registry rules.

If you registered by phone, your number is active when ready. If you registered online, your number becomes active once you click the confirmation link in the email the FTC sends you. Mark your calendar 31 days ahead so you know when to expect the calls to stop.

Checking your registration status and filing complaints

Return to donotcall.gov and look for the "Check Your Registration" box. Enter your phone number and email address, and the site will tell you whether your number is currently on the registry. You can also call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you registered and follow the prompts to check its status.

If a telemarketer calls after your number has been on the registry for 31 days, you can file a complaint at donotcall.gov. Click "File a Complaint" and enter the phone number that called you, the date and time of the call, and the name of the company if you know it. The FTC uses these complaints to investigate violations and take action against companies that ignore the registry. You can also file a complaint by calling 1-888-382-1222.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my cell phone and landline separately?

Yes. Each phone number must be registered individually. If you have both a cell phone and a landline, register both numbers separately at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from each phone.

Will registering stop all unwanted calls?

No. The registry stops most telemarketing calls, but not calls from charities, political groups, surveys, or companies you have done business with recently. Scam calls and robocalls from criminals also ignore the registry. If you receive calls that are clearly scams, report them to the FTC but do not expect the registry alone to stop them.

How long does registration last?

Your registration is permanent and never expires. Your number stays on the registry until you remove it yourself. You do not need to renew it or re-register every year.

Can I register a business phone number?

The National Do Not Call Registry is for personal phone numbers. Business lines have different rules and are not protected by this registry. Contact your phone provider or the FTC for information about stopping telemarketing calls to a business number.

What should I do if I get a call from someone claiming to help me register?

Do not give them any information. Registration is free and you do it yourself at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Anyone charging you money to register or claiming to be from the FTC is running a scam. Hang up and report the call to the FTC at donotcall.gov.