---
title: "Number ownership registration"
description: "Why some countries ask who owns a phone number, what each ownership status in the dashboard means, and how to correct answers a reviewer sent back."
canonical: "https://bird.com/docs/knowledge-base/compliance/number-ownership"
---

# Number ownership registration

Some countries require the business behind a phone number to be registered before the number can be used. Until that registration is approved, the number is yours and you pay for it, but it can't make or receive calls or send SMS.

To register through the API, see [File a number's ownership paperwork](/docs/guides/numbers/ownership-paperwork).

## Why can't my new number make calls or send SMS?

If the number's status is **Pending ownership registration**, its country needs to know who owns it first. Register the number as described below. It starts working once its status changes to **Active**.

## What do I need to register a number?

The form asks about the business that owns the number:

- its legal name, exactly as registered
- its number in the national companies register
- its address
- a contact person

Some countries also ask for documents, such as a recent extract from the companies register. Each field has help text explaining what the reviewer needs.

Once accepted, your answers are passed on to the carrier or regulator in your business's name. Check them with the person responsible before you submit. [Business verification](/docs/knowledge-base/compliance/business-verification#which-registration-number-do-i-enter) lists which registration number to use in common countries.

## How do I register a number?

1. Open the number on the [**Numbers**](https://bird.com/dashboard/w/numbers) page. Its **Ownership** row shows **Details needed**.
2. Select **Update ownership details**.
3. Choose the business that owns the number, or add a new one.
4. Answer each question, upload any documents it asks for, and select **Submit answers**.

The **Ownership** row changes to **Under review**. If you see **Ownership form unavailable** instead of the form, we don't have a form for that country yet. [Contact support](/help/support) to ask for one.

## What does each ownership status mean?

| Status           | What it means                                                                                   |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Details needed   | An answer is missing or needs correcting.                                                       |
| Under review     | We're reviewing your answers.                                                                   |
| Approval pending | We've accepted your answers, and the registration is waiting for approval.                      |
| Approved         | The registration is approved. The number can show **Activation pending** while we switch it on. |
| Rejected         | The submission is closed and can't be changed. [Contact support](/help/support) to reopen it.   |

When a review finishes or needs changes, we email your organization's owners and the person who submitted the form.

## A reviewer sent my answers back. What do I do?

The email lists what needs changing. Open the number and select **Update ownership details**. The form shows only those answers, each with the reviewer's reason. Correct them and select **Update ownership details** again to send them.

You can't change an answer that's still under review, or one we've already accepted.

## Next steps

- [File a number's ownership paperwork](/docs/guides/numbers/ownership-paperwork)
- [Business verification](/docs/knowledge-base/compliance/business-verification)
- [Numbers overview](/docs/guides/numbers/overview)

## Related resources

- [What is a virtual phone number (VMN)?](/explained/numbers/what-is-a-virtual-phone-number) (answer)
- [SMS numbers](/sms-api/features/numbers) (product)
- [Number types](/docs/guides/numbers/number-types) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=phone-numbers)