US Do Not Call Registry fees rise to $85 per area code from October 1
Synopsis
The FTC has quietly raised the price of access to America's Do Not Call Registry by up to 4.9%, effective 1 October 2026. While the increases are modest in absolute terms, they signal continued regulatory upkeep of a consumer protection tool that has been in place since 2003 — and a reminder that telemarketers face rising compliance costs even before they dial a single number.
Key Takeaways
The FTC has raised National Do Not Call Registry access fees, effective 1 October 2026 (fiscal year 2027).
Single area code access rises from $82 to $85 — an increase of approximately 3.7% .
The nationwide annual maximum climbs from $22,626 to $23,425 , up $799 or about 3.5% .
Six-month access to an additional area code rises from $41 to $43 , an increase of nearly 4.9% .
Access to the first five area codes remains free; charities and political callers retain full free access.
The registry, established in 2003 , requires all covered telemarketers to download and cross-check numbers annually.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced revised fees for telemarketers accessing the National Do Not Call Registry, with the new charges set to take effect on 1 October 2026, the start of the US government's fiscal year 2027. The fee increases, approved by a 2-0 commission vote, affect organisations required to download registered numbers before placing marketing calls to American consumers.
What the New Fees Look Like
Under the revised schedule, telemarketers will pay $85 to access numbers registered under a single telephone area code — up $3 from the $82 charged during fiscal 2026, representing an increase of approximately 3.7%. The maximum annual fee for accessing all area codes nationwide will climb to $23,425, compared with the current ceiling of $22,626 — a rise of $799, or roughly 3.5%.
Organisations seeking access to an additional area code for a six-month period will pay $43, up from $41 during fiscal 2026 — an increase of nearly 4.9%. The FTC published the revised schedule in the Federal Register following the commission vote.
Who Pays and Who Is Exempt
Access to the first five area codes remains free under the existing framework, a provision that continues to benefit smaller businesses operating within limited geographic markets. The fee announcement does not alter the categories of organisations eligible for free access.
Certain organisations are exempt from paying altogether. The FTC confirmed that charities and political callers may obtain the entire registry at no charge. The revised schedule applies exclusively to covered telemarketing organisations subject to the registry's legal requirements.
About the National Do Not Call Registry
Established by the federal government in 2003, the National Do Not Call Registry allows American consumers to register telephone numbers on which they do not wish to receive most telemarketing calls. Telemarketers operating in the United States are legally required to download numbers from the registry and cross-check their call lists before dialling. Subscriptions must be renewed annually.
Notably, the FTC did not announce any changes to the compliance requirement itself — the obligation to check the registry before calling consumers remains unchanged, as does the free-access provision for the first five area codes.
FTC Consumer Fraud Warning
Alongside the fee announcement, the commission reiterated that it will never demand money, issue threats, direct consumers to transfer funds, or promise prizes. The FTC said such demands are warning signs that a caller may be impersonating the agency or attempting fraud, and encouraged consumers to report suspicious activity through its online reporting system.
With the fiscal year 2027 fee structure now formalised, telemarketing organisations will need to account for the higher access costs when renewing subscriptions ahead of the 1 October 2026 deadline.
Point of View
And the exemptions for charities and political callers continue to draw scrutiny from consumer advocates who argue the carve-outs undermine the registry's purpose. The registry has existed for over two decades, yet robocall complaints to the FTC remain in the millions annually — raising the question of whether fee adjustments alone are the right lever, or whether enforcement and technology rules need to do heavier lifting.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new Do Not Call Registry fees effective October 2026?
From 1 October 2026 , telemarketers will pay $85 per area code annually, up from $82 . The nationwide maximum rises to $23,425 , and six-month access to an additional area code costs $43 .
Why is the FTC raising Do Not Call Registry fees?
The FTC adjusts registry access fees periodically to reflect administrative costs associated with maintaining the system. The revised schedule for fiscal year 2027 was approved by a 2-0 commission vote and published in the Federal Register.
Who is exempt from paying Do Not Call Registry fees?
Charities and political callers are exempt and may access the entire registry at no charge. Additionally, all telemarketing organisations receive free access to the first five area codes, benefiting smaller businesses with limited geographic reach.
When was the National Do Not Call Registry established?
The National Do Not Call Registry was established by the US federal government in 2003 . It allows consumers to register phone numbers to opt out of most telemarketing calls, and covered telemarketers are legally required to check the registry before calling.
Does the fee change affect the rules telemarketers must follow?
No. The FTC confirmed that the fee announcement does not alter compliance requirements. Telemarketers must still download and cross-check registry numbers before calling, and the free access provision for the first five area codes remains unchanged.
