Adding contact information for a client in eCourtDate enables your agency to send and receive messages through phone numbers and email addresses, ensuring reliable communication with the people you serve.

### Overview

- **What:** Contact information consists of phone numbers and email addresses associated with a client record in eCourtDate, used for sending and receiving messages
- **Why:** Adding accurate contact information is essential for your agency to communicate with clients through SMS, voice calls, and email notifications
- **Who:** Agency staff with permission to manage client records
- **Expected outcomes:** After adding contact information, you can immediately use it to send messages and notifications to the client

### Prerequisites

- An active eCourtDate user account with permission to manage client information
- Access to the **Clients** section in the eCourtDate Agency Application
- The client record must already exist in eCourtDate (create one first if needed)
- The phone number or email address you want to add

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Find the Client Record

1. Navigate to the **Dashboard** in eCourtDate
2. Enter the client's name in the global search bar at the top of the page
3. Select the client from the search results

![Search for a client using the global search bar](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecdassets/images/articles/jane-global-search-bar.png)

#### Step 2: Add Contact Information

1. On the client's profile page, locate the **Contacts** section
2. Enter the phone number or email address in the contact field
3. Press **Enter** or click **Add Contact** to save the new contact

![Add new contact for clients](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecdassets/images/articles/add-contact-client.png)

#### Step 3: Verify the Contact

1. Confirm that the new contact appears in the client's contact list
2. Check that the phone number or email address is displayed correctly
3. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to add additional contacts as needed

### What to Expect

After successfully adding the client's contact information, it will be securely stored in eCourtDate. You can access, update, or remove the contact details at any time to maintain accurate client records. The new contact is available immediately for sending messages and notifications.

### Best Practices

- Verify phone numbers and email addresses with the client before adding them to avoid delivery issues
- Add multiple contact methods (both phone and email) for each client to ensure messages reach them through at least one channel
- Remove outdated or incorrect contact information promptly to keep records accurate
- Use the standard phone number format including area code when entering phone numbers
- Review client contact information periodically to ensure it remains current

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can I add multiple phone numbers or email addresses for a single client?**
A: Yes. You can add multiple phone numbers and email addresses for a single client. This is useful if a client prefers to receive updates on different contact channels or has both a personal and work number.

**Q: What phone number format should I use when adding a contact?**
A: Enter the full phone number including the area code. eCourtDate will format the number automatically. For U.S. numbers, enter all 10 digits (e.g., 5551234567).

**Q: Can I edit a contact after it has been added?**
A: Yes. Navigate to the client's profile, locate the contact in the contact list, and update or remove it as needed.

**Q: What happens if I add an incorrect phone number or email?**
A: Messages sent to an incorrect phone number or email may fail to deliver or reach the wrong person. Remove the incorrect contact and add the correct one as soon as possible.

**Q: Is there a limit to how many contacts I can add for a single client?**
A: There is no strict limit. You can add as many phone numbers and email addresses as needed for each client.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** Contact information does not save after clicking **Add Contact**
**Symptoms:** You enter a phone number or email address but it does not appear in the client's contact list after saving.
**Solution:**

1. Verify that the phone number or email address is in a valid format
2. Check that you have permission to edit client records
3. Refresh the page and try adding the contact again
4. If the issue persists, contact eCourtDate support for assistance

**Issue:** Messages are not delivering to a newly added contact
**Symptoms:** You added a phone number or email address but the client is not receiving messages.
**Solution:**

1. Verify that the phone number or email address was entered correctly
2. Check if the contact has opted out of messages
3. Review the message delivery status in the client's messaging history
4. Ensure your agency's phone number or email sender is properly configured in **Settings**

### Related Articles

- [How to Manage Clients](/how-to-manage-clients)
- [How to Manage Contacts](/how-to-manage-contacts)
- [How to Manage Agency Phone Numbers](/how-to-manage-agency-phone-numbers)