Do Not Call Registry, Free to Join and Never Expires
Registering your phone number on the federal National Do Not Call Registry is free and never expires; sign up at DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says cell phones can be registered too, and your number shows up on the Registry the next day, but it can take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop.
The Registry doesn’t block calls, so it doesn’t stop scammers making illegal calls; political, charitable, debt collection, purely informational and survey calls can still come in after you register, as long as they don’t include a sales pitch. This article follows the FTC’s FAQs: how to register, which calls you may still get and how to report calls.
How to register
The FTC explains (FTC National Do Not Call Registry FAQs):
- Online: register at DoNotCall.gov; online registrations must be confirmed by clicking the link in an email within 72 hours.
- By phone: call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
- Cost: it’s free.
- Cell phones: they can be registered, just like home phones.
- Expiration: registration never expires; a number is removed only if it’s disconnected and reassigned, or if you ask.
- When it takes effect: your number shows up on the Registry the next day, but it can take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop.
- Checking your registration: check at DoNotCall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from that number.
Calls you may still get after registering
- The Registry doesn’t block calls: it doesn’t stop scammers making illegal calls.
- Calls that are still allowed: political, charitable, debt collection, purely informational and survey calls, as long as they don’t include a sales pitch.
- Companies you deal with: companies you’ve recently done business with, or that have your written permission, can also call.
- Sales robocalls: illegal without your written permission, whether or not your number is registered.
- Business numbers: the Registry covers personal numbers only; business phone and fax lines aren’t covered.
How to report calls
- No money lost: use the streamlined form at DoNotCall.gov.
- Lost money, or know who called: report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- What to include: your number, the caller ID number (even if it may be fake), any callback number, and the date and time if you can.
For blocking unwanted calls on your phone, see Block Robocalls With an App, Do Not Call Won't Stop Scams; for scam calls impersonating the government, see USCIS or the IRS Won't Call for Gift Card Payment. Our credit card site has a guide on credit card scam calls.
What this article did not check
- Call-blocking tools from your phone carrier: the page doesn’t say, so this article doesn’t either.
- State rules: this article covers only the federal Registry and did not check state rules.
- Page version: this is the September 2023 version; it was still the same version when reopened on 2026-10-31.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to register?
No. The FTC says registration is free.
How long does registration last?
It never expires, unless the number is disconnected and reassigned, or you ask for it to be removed.
I registered. Why am I still getting sales calls?
It can take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop, and the Registry doesn’t block calls, so it can’t stop scammers making illegal calls.
I lost money to a scam call. Where do I report it?
Report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; if you didn’t lose money, use DoNotCall.gov.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-31.
- FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs (September 2023):https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/national-do-not-call-registry-faqs