Porting a short code from your current provider allows you to migrate messaging to eCourtDate while keeping your existing short code, ensuring continuity for your agency's communications.

### Overview

- **What:** Short code porting transfers the lease ownership and carrier routing of your existing short code to the eCourtDate platform
- **Why:** Migrating your short code lets you consolidate messaging through eCourtDate without changing the number your clients already recognize
- **Who:** Agency administrators and IT contacts who manage messaging infrastructure
- **Expected outcomes:** Your short code will be fully routed through eCourtDate, typically within 4 to 5 weeks after submission

### Prerequisites

- An active short code in good standing with your current provider
- Authorization to port the short code (you must be the leaseholder or have written consent)
- A transferable short code lease (some providers require at least three months of prepaid lease before approving a port-out)
- Completed testing and integration with eCourtDate before submitting the port-in request
- Access to your usshortcodes.com registry account (for lease transfer)

> **Note:** If you need a test short code before starting the migration, email [help@ecourtdate.com](mailto:help@ecourtdate.com) to request one.

### How-To Steps

#### Step 1: Verify Short Code Eligibility

1. Confirm that your short code is currently active and in good standing
2. Verify that you have the necessary authorization to port the short code
3. Check with your current provider that the short code lease is transferable
4. Ensure that your lease is paid for at least three months ahead, as some providers require this before approving a port-out

#### Step 2: Complete a Letter of Authorization (LOA) Form

1. [Download the LOA form and program brief](https://assets.ecourtdate.com/files/shortcode-authorization.docx)
2. Fill out the LOA form with your agency's details and the short code number
3. Complete the program brief with your messaging campaign information

#### Step 3: Submit the Port-In Request to eCourtDate

1. Gather the following documents:
   - The short code number
   - The completed LOA form and program brief
   - The lease receipt (within the last 90 days) from your current provider
2. Email all documents to [help@ecourtdate.com](mailto:help@ecourtdate.com)

![Example Short Code Lease Receipt](https://assets.ecourtdate.com/images/articles/shortcode-lease-receipt.png)

#### Step 4: Carrier Routing and Compliance Review

1. Wait for eCourtDate to review your port-in request and respond with any additional requirements
2. Once the lease transfer is approved and a migration date is set, eCourtDate will coordinate with mobile carriers to update routing
3. During the migration period, be aware of the following:
   - Your short code may temporarily operate on both the old and new provider
   - Carriers may re-review your messaging campaign for compliance
   - Testing will be conducted to ensure seamless message delivery
   - Continue sending messages on both the old provider and eCourtDate until migration is complete

#### Step 5: Final Migration and Cutover

1. Wait for eCourtDate to notify you of the final migration date
2. Confirm that messaging is working correctly on all networks
3. Deactivate the short code from the previous provider only after full confirmation

### Carrier Migration Timeline

The following outlines the expected timelines and typical provisioning cycles for migrating short codes across U.S. carriers once requests have been submitted and approved.

| Carrier | Est. Time | Provisioning Day | Notes |
|---------|-----------|------------------|-------|
| AT&T Mobility | 1-2 weeks | Usually Sunday to Monday | |
| Verizon Wireless | 1-2 weeks | Usually Monday | May require two cycles for completion |
| T-Mobile | 1-2 weeks | Usually Monday to Tuesday | |
| US Cellular | 2-5 business days | N/A | Typically completes within 2-5 business days of the migration start date |
| Interop (Tier 2/3) | 2-5 business days | N/A | Generally completes within 2-5 business days of the migration start date |
| Google Voice | 2+ weeks | N/A | No fixed migration cycle. Timelines are variable |
| Claro Puerto Rico | 2-5 business days | N/A | Typically completes within 1-2 weeks after carrier approval |
| Truphone | 2-5 business days | N/A | Typically completes within 1-2 weeks after carrier approval |
| MetroPCS | 2-5 business days | N/A | Typically completes within 1-2 weeks after carrier approval |
| Clearsky | 2-5 business days | N/A | Typically completes within 1-2 weeks after carrier approval |

Carrier timelines are subject to change based on carrier availability and other factors. Inbound messages (Mobile Originated) may migrate at a different time than outbound messages (Mobile Terminated).

### Dual Routing During Migration

During the migration period, use **dual routing** to ensure uninterrupted message delivery across all carriers. This means sending outbound messages through both **eCourtDate** and your previous aggregator until the migration is fully propagated.

- Carrier updates are staggered, so some may take longer to complete routing changes
- Dual routing ensures all recipients receive critical messages regardless of carrier status
- This approach reduces the risk of delivery failure during the transition window

#### Steps to Enable Dual Routing

1. **Keep both providers active.** Do not disable your previous aggregator until all carriers have confirmed the routing change
2. **Send outbound messages from both.** During migration week(s), send messages through both eCourtDate and the previous provider
3. **Avoid reply duplication.** Only one provider (typically the legacy one) should continue receiving replies until full cutover is verified
4. **Monitor delivery reports.** Use carrier-specific delivery logs to track when routing is complete across networks
5. **Finalize the cutover.** Once all carriers confirm successful routing to eCourtDate, decommission the legacy aggregator

eCourtDate support can help coordinate dual routing and confirm when it is safe to complete the transition.

### How to Transfer the Short Code Lease

All U.S. short codes are leased through the CSCA (www.usshortcodes.com). To enable eCourtDate to manage your short code lease on your behalf, your lease must be transferred to eCourtDate's iconectiv account.

1. Sign into your usshortcodes.com registry account
2. Click the **My Short Codes** tab
3. Expand the short code you want to transfer
4. Click the **Transfer Lease** button
5. Click the **Transfer** button
6. Enter the eCourtDate Account ID: **3021717**
7. Accept the transfer agreement
8. Confirm the transfer

> **Important:** Do not initiate the lease transfer until the carrier migration is complete.

### What to Expect

After completing all steps, your short code will be fully routed through eCourtDate. The entire process typically takes 4 to 5 weeks from submission, though timelines vary by carrier. You will receive confirmation from eCourtDate when all major carriers have completed routing.

### Best Practices

- Maintain your current provider's service until the transition is fully complete to avoid any service disruptions
- Ensure compliance with carrier regulations to prevent approval delays
- Communicate with eCourtDate and your current provider frequently to monitor progress
- Test the short code across multiple carriers before fully deactivating the old provider
- Keep records of all submitted documents and carrier confirmation dates

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How long does the entire short code porting process take?**
A: The process typically takes 4 to 5 weeks after eCourtDate submits the program brief to mobile operators. Timelines may vary depending on the carrier and the type of messaging program.

**Q: Can I continue sending messages during the migration?**
A: Yes. You should use dual routing to send messages through both your current provider and eCourtDate until all carriers have confirmed the routing change.

**Q: What happens if a carrier rejects the migration request?**
A: Carriers may reject a request if the messaging campaign does not meet compliance standards. eCourtDate will work with you to address any compliance issues and resubmit the request.

**Q: Do I need to notify my clients about the short code migration?**
A: No. Since the short code number remains the same, your clients will not notice any change. However, you should monitor message delivery closely during the transition period.

**Q: What is the cost associated with porting a short code?**
A: Contact eCourtDate support at [help@ecourtdate.com](mailto:help@ecourtdate.com) for details on any fees associated with short code porting and lease transfer.

### Troubleshooting

**Issue:** Port-in request is delayed or rejected by a carrier
**Symptoms:** You receive a notification from eCourtDate that a carrier has not approved the migration within the expected timeline.
**Solution:**

1. Contact eCourtDate support to determine the reason for the delay
2. Review your messaging campaign for compliance with carrier regulations
3. Provide any additional documentation requested by the carrier
4. Resubmit the request after resolving any issues

**Issue:** Messages are not delivering after migration
**Symptoms:** Recipients on certain carriers report not receiving messages after the cutover date.
**Solution:**

1. Verify that the carrier has completed routing by checking with eCourtDate support
2. Confirm that dual routing is still active for any carriers that have not yet completed the migration
3. Review delivery reports in eCourtDate for error codes or failed delivery attempts
4. If the issue persists, contact eCourtDate support for carrier-level troubleshooting

### Related Articles

- [How to Manage Agency Phone Numbers](/how-to-manage-agency-phone-numbers)
- [How to Port In a Local Area Code Phone Number](/how-to-port-in-a-local-area-code-phone-number)
- [How to Complete Carrier Registration](/how-to-complete-carrier-registration)
- [About eCourtDate Regions](/about-ecourtdate-regions)