01
How the Registry works
Registration at DoNotCall.gov is free and generally does not expire. Covered sellers should stop calling after your number has been on the Registry for 31 days.
- Register and verify your number at the official website
- Keep the date you registered
- Record later sales calls with date, time, number, and caller
02
Calls the Registry may not cover
Political calls, charitable solicitations, survey calls, and purely informational or debt-collection calls are generally outside the Registry’s sales-call restrictions. Scammers may ignore the Registry entirely.
- A recent business relationship can create an exception
- Written permission may allow a seller to call
- A company-specific stop request can still matter
03
Reporting a violation
You can submit a Do Not Call complaint through the FTC. A complaint supports enforcement but does not automatically create compensation. TCPA and state-law remedies require a separate legal analysis.
Sources and updates
Last reviewed: September 2026
This page is written from official federal material. Rules change, and agencies update their guidance—check the primary sources below for the current version.
Educational information only. Not legal advice, and not a substitute for consulting a licensed attorney about your situation. Need a term explained? Read the plain-language glossary.