How to manage agency phone numbers. Use a local, toll-free, or short code number to send and receive multilingual texts (SMS/MMS) and calls.
How to Manage Agency Phone Numbers
Agency Phone Numbers are used to send and receive texts (SMS/MMS) and calls. When clients receive a text or a call, the agency phone number is used.
Once an Agency Phone Number is activated, you can configure inbound settings based on channel and time of day. For example, inbound callers can be auto-forwarded to a designated phone number during business hours and can hear automated voice response when outside of business hours.
Each agency is required to have at least one phone number to use any texting or voice messaging features.
- From the Dashboard, in the top navigation, click on Admin / Settings then the Agency Phones tab.
- Any existing agency-level phone numbers will be viewable in the main table. Click on an existing number to see details and make changes.
- Use the Add Agency form to create a new phone number.
Note: if you are a multi-agency and Super Admin user, you can view all associated phone numbers through the Billing / Phone Numbers page. Through the Billing Phone Numbers page, you can configure the e911 address and the associated carrier campaign.
Activate a New Local Area Code Phone Number
Recommended for customers who don't have a preexisting phone number they'd like to transfer to eCourtDate.
- In the Add Agency Phone form, choose a US State. The available phone number results will update automatically.
- Use the Filter by Area Code option to refine your results based on a specific area code.
- Click Browse Numbers to update your search results.
Each phone number shows its capabilities (SMS/MMS, voice, international, fax, e911). Click the Activate Now next to the desired phone number.
Activate a New Toll-Free Phone Number
Recommended for customers creating an automated inbound voice line (such as for juror or probation check-ins).
- In the Add Agency Phone form, choose Toll-Free.
- Click Browse Numbers.
- Click Activate Now next to the desired toll-free phone number.
- The phone number will be activated and you'll be redirected to the edit page.
Activate a New Short Code Number
Recommended for customers expecting to send a high-volume of messages (1M+ / mo).
- In the Add Agency Phone form, choose Short Code.
- Click Add. You'll be automatically redirected to the edit page.
- To complete your short code request, click the Authorization Form.
- Email the completed form to carriers@ecourtdate.com.
- Once the form is submitted, you'll see available short codes that you can activate.
Port an Existing Phone Number
Transfer a local, toll-free, or short code number you own.
- In the Add Agency Phone form, choose Port.
- Enter the Phone Number that you want to port to eCourtDate.
- Click Add. You'll be automatically redirected to the edit page.
- In the Portability Checker section, if the phone number is portable, click the Download LOA Form button.
- Email the completed form to carriers@ecourtdate.com.
- Once the LOA Form is submitted, you'll see the porting status and estimated transfer date.
How to Use Your Agency Phone to Send Outbound Texts and Calls
If you only have one phone number activated, skip the following sections, as the phone number will be used automatically.
If you have more than one phone number, use the Primary option to choose the phone number that should be used for outbound messages by default.
The following features support overriding the primary phone number by selecting the From Phone field:
How to Configure the Agency Phone Merge Tag
From the top navigation, click on Admin / Settings:
Choose the Agency Phone from an activated phone number.
Click Save to apply any changes.
The [AgencyPhone] merge tag can now be used in multilingual message templates or portal labels.