Business phone numbers in the United States

The US shares the North American Numbering Plan with Canada: 10-digit numbers with no distinct mobile prefix, equal-tier 800-series toll-free ranges, and generally no local presence needed to buy a number. Call recording consent varies sharply by state, so a nationally calling business should assume the strictest rule applies.

Number types in United States

Type	National format	E.164	Notes
Local	(212) 555 0123	+1 212 555 0123	10-digit NANP number: 3-digit area code plus 7-digit line number, as of July 2026.
National	N/A	N/A	No separate national non-geographic tier like the UK's 03 range. Numbers are either area-coded or toll-free.
Mobile	(415) 555 0198	+1 415 555 0198	No dedicated mobile prefix. Mobile and landline numbers share the same area-code pool and are indistinguishable by format, as of July 2026.
Toll-free	1-800 555 0123	+1 800 555 0123	800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833 are equal-tier ranges, assigned first-come first-served via RespOrgs. Each number-and-prefix combination is distinct.

Porting

The FCC regulates porting through Local Number Portability (LNP). Simple single-line ports must complete within 1 business day of a valid request under 47 CFR 52.35, as of July 2026.

Non-simple ports, meaning multi-line business setups such as PRI trunks or hunt groups, get 4 business days and apply across wireline, wireless and VoIP alike.

The top rejection cause is a mismatch between the port-out PIN or password and the losing carrier's account details. Disconnecting service before the port completes can lose the number outright, since disconnected numbers aren't portable.

Requirements

·No FCC rule requires local presence to obtain a given US area code; standard account KYC (business name, EIN, billing details) is typically all a provider needs, as of July 2026.
·A foreign business buying from a US VoIP reseller generally needs no US entity or address to get a number in any area code.
·Providers face separate compliance duties that affect all US-bound traffic: STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication has been fully required since 31 December 2023, and Robocall Mitigation Database registration with annual recertification is mandatory, with over 1,200 providers removed and blocked in August 2025 for non-compliance.

Compliance notes

·Emergency number is 911. Kari's Law requires multi-line telephone systems to allow direct 911 dialing with no prefix and to notify on-site personnel with a callback number and location, as of July 2026.
·RAY BAUM'S Act requires a 'dispatchable location' (street address plus suite or floor) to accompany every 911 call regardless of technology, for both fixed and non-fixed devices.
·Call recording is federal one-party consent, but at least 12 states require all-party consent, including California, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Washington. For calls crossing state lines, the strictest applicable state law governs, so a nationally calling business should assume all-party consent as the safe default.

Regulatory details verified July 2026 and re-checked quarterly. wlur offers numbers in United States; add one from the app in about a minute.

Frequently asked questions

Can a UK company get a US phone number?

Yes. No FCC rule requires local presence, and a foreign business can typically buy a US area-code number from a VoIP reseller without a US entity, as of July 2026.

How long does porting take in the US?

Simple single-line ports complete within 1 business day under FCC rule 47 CFR 52.35. Multi-line business ports, such as PRI trunks, get 4 business days.

Do US mobile numbers look different from landlines?

No. The US has no separate mobile prefix, so a 10-digit NANP number can belong to either a mobile or a landline line.

Is call recording legal across every US state without consent?

No. Federal law is one-party consent, but at least 12 states including California and Florida require all-party consent. The strictest state law applies to calls that cross state lines.

Are all US toll-free prefixes the same?

They are equal-tier, covering 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833. But each prefix-and-number combination is a distinct number, so 1-800-FLOWERS and 1-888-FLOWERS are different lines.