How to register on the Do Not Call list
Registering
Go to DoNotCall.gov and enter up to three numbers with an email address, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register. Registration is free, never expires, and covers both cell and landline numbers.
What changes
Legitimate telemarketers must stop calling within 31 days. Political calls, charities, surveys and companies you have a recent business relationship with may still call — and scammers ignore the registry entirely.
After 31 days
Sales calls that still arrive are either from exempt categories or from operations already breaking the law. Report them at DoNotCall.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov; each report documents a violation carrying penalties of up to $53,088 per call (2025 adjusted figure).
Verify your registration
Not sure whether you registered years ago? The same site verifies existing registrations: enter your number and the confirmation arrives by email. Registration status survives carrier switches — it is tied to the number itself, not the account.
Sources
FAQ
Do I need to re-register periodically?
No. Registrations made since 2007 are permanent; you only re-register if you change numbers.
Is there a separate registry for cell phones?
No — the claim that a 'cell phone registry' is opening is a recurring hoax. One registry covers all numbers.