State-by-State Guide to Do-Not-Call Registration
By: Compiled by Christopher J. Gearon; Source: AARP Bulletin Date Posted: 2005-06-20 15:31:00-04:00
Thanks to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) National Do Not Call Registry, American households can reclaim quieter dinner hours and significantly reduce telemarketing calls on their home phones and personal cell phones. As of January 2005, those annoying calls will stop within 31 days of your registering for the FTC’s list, instead of three months.
Most telemarketers are barred from calling over 85 million phone numbers that have been registered with the FTC. Regardless of whether your state has a do-not-call law or not, the national list will prevent the bulk of such sales calls. Dozens of states have their own laws, some of which slap added restrictions on telemarketers or provide additional penalties for violators. Many state do-not-call websites include a link to a complaint form where residents can report violators.
Keep in mind that not all states with do-not-call laws maintain their own registries. Many piggyback onto the national database instead of maintaining their own. Some states urge residents to sign up for both state and national lists, while in a few states, consumers only need to sign up with the state registry for their numbers to be transferred to the national list as well. A couple of states also direct consumers to sign up with the Direct Marketing Association’s registry.
There is no downside to signing up on both the national and a state list. The national do-not-call law offers the same or greater protection from unwanted calls than most state laws. And under the national law, telemarketers receive your number(s) quickly. Most state lists are updated quarterly, so if you sign up the day after the list is updated, telemarketers won’t receive your number(s) for another three months.
Be aware that many types of organizations are exempt from the national and state do-not-call laws. For instance, political organizations, charities and telephone surveyors may still call you. In addition, companies with which you have an established business relationship can call you under national and many state laws.
What does that mean? Businesses from which you’ve purchased a product or service within the last 18 months can call you. What’s more, should you make only an inquiry to a business and not even make a purchase, the company can call up to three months after that, even if you’ve registered on Do Not Call.
Not to fret. You can still stop them. Tell these telemarketers to stop calling you and ask them to put your phone number on their own company’s do-not-call list.
Sign up, at no charge, for the National Do Not Call Registry online or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236). In order to register by phone, you’ll need to call from the phone number you want listed.
Use the drop-down menu below or scroll down this page to find links to and details about state-specific do-not-call registration information.
Alabama
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Alabama’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Alabama merged its list with the national list. If you enrolled on Alabama's Do Not Call Register before August 14, 2003, you do not have to register again to be included on the national registry.
Alaska
- How to register: Via your local telephone company
- Cost: Between $0 and $50 (varies by company and location)
- How long until registration becomes active: Weeks to several months, depending upon publication of next telephone directory
- How long phone number stays on list: As long as a number is listed
- Notes: The state attorney general’s office advises residents to also sign up for the national registry. Alaska residents can file a complaint with the attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Arizona
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Arizona law provides recourse in state courts for residents who have been violated.
Arkansas
- How to register: Arkansas has adopted the FTC’s national registry, to which the state’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Arkansas residents who sign up for the national registry are automatically enrolled in the state registry.
California
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which California’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: California is coordinating with the FTC. If you pre-registered with the California Attorney General, your telephone number(s) have been given to the FTC for inclusion in the national registry.
Colorado
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (888) 249-9097
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly; telemarketers then have 20 days to update their lists.
- How long phone number stays on list: No limit
- Notes: Colorado sends the numbers on its list to the national registry. The state law gives added remedy by allowing consumers to take claims against alleged violators to small claims court. Colorado residents can file a complaint with the state by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Connecticut
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Connecticut’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: The state no longer maintains its own list, relying instead on the FTC’s national registry. Connecticut residents can file a complaint with the Department of Consumer Protection by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Delaware
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Delaware’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Florida
- How to register: Print out and mail the registration form available on Florida’s do-not-call website, or call 800-HELP-FLA
- Cost: $10 per phone number to join the list; $5 each year to renew
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: As long as you maintain the number and pay the annual renewal fee
- Notes: Floridians who sign up with the state list will get added to the national list several weeks later, but consumers are encouraged to sign up for both lists as the national do-not-call law offers greater protection. Residents can file a complaint with the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Georgia
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Georgia’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: The state no longer maintains its own list, relying instead on the FTC’s national registry.
Hawaii
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Idaho
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Idaho’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: The state no longer maintains its own list, relying instead on the FTC’s national registry. Idaho residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Illinois
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Illinois’ do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: The state no longer maintains its own list, relying instead on the FTC’s national registry.
Indiana
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (888) 834-9969
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: No limit
- Notes: The state’s attorney general advises Indiana residents to sign up for the state list in order to enjoy additional protections not offered by the national registry. Indiana does not share its list with the national registry, so residents need to sign up separately for it.
Iowa
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Iowa’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Kansas
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Kansas residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general’s office by completing a no-call complaint form available on the state’s website.
Kentucky
- How to register: Online or by calling toll free (866) 877-7867
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: No limit
- Notes: When residents sign up for the state registry, their numbers are added to the national registry. Kentucky residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Louisiana
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (877) 676-0773
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Between 30 and 120 days (list is updated quarterly)
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: State officials advise residents to register for both the state and national lists. Louisiana residents can file a complaint with the state Public Service Commission by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Maine
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Maine’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Maine advises residents to sign up for both the FTC’s national registry and the Direct Marketing Association’s do-not-call list. The state’s website provides information on both.
Maryland
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Maryland’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Massachusetts
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (866) 231-2255
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: No limit
- Notes: Even though Massachusetts shares numbers with the national registry, state officials recommend residents sign up for both state and national registries for added protection. Massachusetts residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Michigan
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Michigan’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Minnesota
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which the state’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Four years
- Notes: While Minnesota maintains its own registry, it advises state residents to sign up for the FTC’s national registry. Minnesota residents can file a complaint with the state Department of Commerce by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Mississippi
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (866) 622-5567
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years from the expiration date of the period in which you registered
- Notes: The state law allows a number of organizations—including those that don’t make “major” sales presentations over the phone, real estate agents, car dealers and others—to call residential numbers on the state no-call list. Since the national do-not-call law offers greater protection, residents should sign up for both the state and the national lists. Mississippi residents can file a complaint with the state Public Service Commission by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Missouri
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (866) 662-2551
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: No limit
- Notes: Missouri officials suggest residents sign up for the state registry first and foremost. The state has successfully prosecuted violators of its do-not-call law. Residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Montana
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Montana’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Montana residents who sign up for the national registry are automatically enrolled in the state registry.
Nebraska
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Nevada
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Nevada’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Nevada residents who previously signed up on the national do-not-call list have been included on the state registry, and going forward, those who sign up for the national list will automatically be enrolled on the state registry.
New Hampshire
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
New Jersey
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which New Jersey’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: While New Jersey maintains one of the toughest do-not-call laws in the nation—for example, it does not allow businesses with established relationships to call consumers as the national registry does—residents do not have to register on a state list. Those who sign up for the FTC’s registry are automatically enrolled in the state’s registry, which offers added protections. New Jersey residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
New Mexico
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which New Mexico’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
New York
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which New York’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: New Yorkers can file a complaint with the state Consumer Protection Board by completing a complaint form available on New York’s do-not-call website.
North Carolina
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which North Carolina’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: North Carolina residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
North Dakota
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which North Dakota’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Registration on the national list also adds your number to the state list. North Dakota residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Ohio
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Ohio offers an online brochure explaining the state’s do-not-call law. Ohio residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Oklahoma
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (800) 390-5708. The state’s do-not-call website also provides a link to the FTC’s national registry.
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: No limit
- Notes: The Oklahoma law is not quite as strict as the national law. For added protection, residents should sign up with both the state and national do-not-call registries. Oklahoma residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Oregon
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Pennsylvania
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (888) 777-3406. The state’s do-not-call website also provides a link to the FTC’s national registry.
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: State officials encourage residents to sign up for both the state and national do-not-call registries. Pennsylvania residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Rhode Island
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Rhode Island’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
South Carolina
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
South Dakota
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which South Dakota’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: South Dakotans who sign up with the national registry are automatically enrolled in the state registry.
Tennessee
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (877) 872-7030. The state’s do-not-call website also provides a link to the FTC’s national registry.
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: 60 days after the end of the month in which you sign up
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Since the national do-not-call law offers greater protection, residents should sign up for both the state and the national lists. Tennessee residents can file a complaint with the state Regulatory Authority by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Texas
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (866) 896-6225. The state’s do-not-call website also provides a link to the FTC’s national registry.
- Cost: $2.25 per telephone number
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: Three years
- Notes: The state encourages Texans to sign up for both the state and national lists, as phone numbers on the Texas registry will not be forwarded to the national registry. In addition, the national do-not-call law offers greater protection.
Utah
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Utah’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Utah residents who sign up for the national registry are automatically enrolled in the state registry.
Vermont
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Vermont’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Vermont residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
Virginia
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry, to which Virginia’s do-not-call website provides a link
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Virginia law allows consumers to bring action in state courts.
Washington
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
West Virginia
- How to register: Online via the FTC’s national registry
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: Within 31 days
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
Wisconsin
- How to register: Online or by calling toll-free (866) 966-2255
- Cost: Free
- How long until registration becomes active: List will be updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: Two years
- Notes: Wisconsin does not share numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. However, the national registry does share the numbers of those Wisconsin residents who sign up for the national list with the state registry. Wisconsin law provides additional protection by allowing fewer exemptions than the national law. Residents can file a complaint with the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by completing a complaint form available on Wisconsin’s website.
Wyoming
- How to register: Online or by mail with the Direct Marketing Association’s Telephone Preference Service, which is linked to Wyoming’s no-call website.
- Cost: $5 online or free by mail
- How long until registration becomes active: List is updated quarterly
- How long phone number stays on list: Five years
- Notes: Wyoming residents can file a complaint with the state attorney general by completing a complaint form available on the state’s website.
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