National Do Not Call Registry: How to Stop Telemarketing Calls (2026)

The US National Do Not Call Registry lets you tell legitimate telemarketers to stop calling. When we wrote about it in 2006, registrations expired after five years; since 2008 your number stays on the list permanently unless you remove it. Here’s how it works in 2026 and what else you can do about robocalls.

Quick answer: Go to donotcall.gov (or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register), add your home or mobile number for free, and confirm by email. Sales calls should stop within 31 days. Report companies that keep calling at donotcall.gov, and turn on your phone’s spam call filtering, since scammers ignore the registry.

How to register your number

1. Visit donotcall.gov and choose Register.
2. Enter up to three phone numbers and your email address.
3. Click the confirmation link in the email within 72 hours.
4. Use the Verify option any time to check a number is registered.

What the registry covers

• Covered: sales calls from legitimate telemarketers.
• Still allowed: political calls, charities, surveys, debt collectors, and companies you have an existing relationship with or gave written permission.
• Business phone numbers aren’t covered.

Report unwanted calls

If sales calls continue after 31 days, report them at donotcall.gov with the date, time and caller number. Reports help the FTC track down violators, though you won’t get an individual response.

Block robocalls and scams

• iPhone: Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers, or Call Screening.
• Android: Phone app > Settings > Spam and Call Screen.
• Use your carrier’s free spam-blocking tools.
• Never press numbers or say “yes” on suspicious robocalls. On an iPhone, you can also block spam calls with built-in settings such as Silence Unknown Callers.

In India? See how to use the India Do Not Call (DND) registry to stop spam calls and texts.

FAQ

Does my Do Not Call registration expire?

No. Numbers stay on the registry unless you remove them or the number is disconnected and reassigned.

Is the Do Not Call Registry free?

Yes. Never pay anyone who offers to register your number for a fee.

Why do I still get robocalls?

Scammers ignore the registry. Use call blocking and report the calls.