> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cloudtalk.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Porting Requests and Process > How to submit a porting request and what to expect afterwards > [!NOTE] > > Bringing your existing phone number to CloudTalk is easy! If you're new to number porting or moving your number for the first time, this guide will walk you through each step. **User level**: Admin *** ## What is Number Porting Porting a number means moving it from your current phone provider to a new one, like CloudTalk. Once your number is ported, it will only work through CloudTalk and no longer be active with your previous provider. > [!NOTE] > > **Not ready to fully move your number?** We can still create a [verified outbound caller ID of your number](/en/articles/5726652-virtual-caller-id.md). This way, your outbound calls will display your familiar number even before the port is complete. ## Requirements for Porting > [!WARNING] > > **Important:**\ > Keep your current number **active with your existing provider** until the port is confirmed complete.\ > Disconnecting it early may cause the port to fail. We recommend reading our [recommendations](/en/articles/6084486-recommendations-for-a-smooth-port.md) for a smooth port *before* making your request. To port a phone number into CloudTalk, please make sure you: * Have an active CloudTalk account * Have an active account with the provider where the number is currently * Have the number(s) configured in CloudTalk before the port completes > [!NOTE] > > **Before your porting date,** set up business hours, call flows, and agents in the CloudTalk Dashboard so the number is fully functional once moved.\ > \ > *We will add placeholder version of the number when we receive your porting request, so you can be setting call flows and assignments in advance* ## How to Start a Porting Request You request and track porting **directly in the CloudTalk Dashboard**. There are no separate forms anymore, and the same flow works for numbers from every supported country, including the USA. 1. In the left menu, open **Numbers**. 2. Click **Port existing number**. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/1778f1aad7c0-screenshot-2026-07-13-at-17-43-44.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=486706c9eb49d21532bc10bf66e9de66) 3. Follow the guided steps: * **Numbers**: pick the country and number type, then enter your number(s) in international (E.164) format, e.g. `+442012345678`. You can paste several at once, separated by commas, spaces, or new lines. If the wizard doesn't recognize a number, double-check it and tick **I've double-checked these** to continue. The request goes through and our team verifies the number during review. If your numbers are with different carriers, submit them as separate requests. You'll be guided through this as you go. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/5e7ead939c6a-screenshot-2026-07-14-at-09-16-46.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=90dac2d1fa14d32ebf57cd066851a110) * **Provider**: your current service provider, the underlying carrier (or tick *I'm not sure*), and your account details. In countries that use one, you'll also enter a **PIN** or a **PAC code** (porting authorization code) for each number. Ask your current provider for it before you start. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/b1a908f0f788-screenshot-2026-07-13-at-18-11-07.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=0ff81a125f1ef2498383a43466d01833) * **Documents**: your registered name and service address (exactly as your current provider has them on file), a copy of your most recent invoice, and, where required, a signed **Letter of Authorization (LOA)**. The correct **LOA template for your country downloads right in this step**: download it, sign it, and upload it here. Doing it right away speeds things up; if a template isn't available for your country, we'll email it to you after you submit. Some countries also ask for extra documents (for example, proof of business registration) or have special requirements (such as a company stamp on the LOA); the form shows exactly what's needed. Uploads are accepted as **PDF, PNG, JPG, or JPEG**. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/0194b24bcaea-screenshot-2026-07-14-at-09-54-36.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=af6b1f61d8cac0576c495bd6692ddae7) * **Verification**: For **USA numbers**, this is also where you choose your **[A2P 10DLC registration](/en/articles/7222203-registering-standard-usa-numbers-for-messaging-a2p-10dlc.md)** option. If you want to keep sending SMS/MMS from the number after porting, US business messaging rules require this registration; you can register during porting, reuse an existing CloudTalk registration, or skip it if the number will be voice only. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/1e23feee3ba7-screenshot-2026-07-14-at-09-18-30.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=86638f0c039f74eadf331c5430d0c9ce) * **Review**: check everything and submit. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/b13662cba768-screenshot-2026-07-14-at-09-18-58.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=d0420a0a9ab530fd4a4dc0d2da47569f) When you submit, CloudTalk creates your porting request and adds a **placeholder number** to your Dashboard, so you can set up business hours, call flows, and agents before the port completes. > [!NOTE] > > **Tip:** confirm the exact **registered name** and **service address** with your current provider before you start. A mismatch is the #1 cause of rejected ports. ## Track Your Request Open **Numbers > Porting requests** to see every request you've submitted, with a **live status** for each one: *Waiting for Review > Submitted to Carrier > Accepted > Completed* If we need anything from you, for example additional documents, the status will show it and we'll reach out with instructions. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/e5b6427a0532-screenshot-2026-07-13-at-18-05-57.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=da902e50f85bfdca88dd60840cd4e20c) Open any request to see its full detail: the timeline of what's happened, the outcome for each individual number, and the details you submitted. ![](https://mintcdn.com/cloudtalk/NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE/images/help-center/articles/2145454/21212dfca3a8-screenshot-2026-07-14-at-09-23-43.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=NaLCtq06pFIW2ogE\&q=85\&s=cf739fe8ee1ddfe91ae0f3c8c2ca295c) ## What is the Underlying Carrier Your **underlying carrier** is the operator that technically owns the number. Your **service provider** (SP) is the company you pay. * In some cases (e.g., Vodafone, Verizon), the service provider and underlying carrier are the same. * If you're porting from another VoIP service, they likely use a different underlying carrier. * Porting requires identifying the correct underlying carrier, as we must send the request directly to them. ## Processing Timeline How long a port takes depends on the country. The confirmation email you get after submitting your request shows the **expected port time** for your country. Once you submit your request, here's what happens: 1. **We check if the number is portable** from our side. 2. We review the documents you provided with your request, including the signed **LOA (Letter of Authorization)** where required. If anything is missing or doesn't match, we'll let you know exactly what to fix. 3. CloudTalk and our partner carrier (the "gaining carrier") will submit your documents to the current carrier (the "losing carrier"). 4. CloudTalk will **add the placeholder number to your Dashboard** for configuration, but it won't be live until the port is complete. 5. Once the losing carrier approves, both carriers will schedule a **port date**. 6. On the agreed date, your number will be activated in CloudTalk. > [!WARNING] > > If for any reason your number cannot be ported, you still have the option to **purchase a new number from CloudTalk** — we offer [global coverage](/en/articles/6823827-phone-number-coverage-requirements-and-functionality.md). ## Questions About Your Port Every porting request has a support conversation attached, handled directly by our porting team. * **Reply to the confirmation email** we send when you submit your request. It goes straight to the people working on your port. * Or open your request under **Numbers > Porting requests** and click **Open conversation** at the bottom of the page, in the Communication section. *** *Need help or have a question?* Just reach out through our [Support portal](https://support.cloudtalk.io/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=26305535257884) — we’re here for you. ## Related topics - [🇺🇸 USA Number Porting Guide](/en/articles/11010193-usa-number-porting-guide.md) - [🇳🇱 Netherlands Number Porting Guide](/en/articles/11099175-netherlands-number-porting-guide.md) - [🇨🇭Switzerland Number Porting Guide](/en/articles/11120701-switzerland-number-porting-guide.md) This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.