How to get an SMS sender ID in Turkey

To send SMS from a brand name in Turkey, the text shown in the sender field (sender ID / header) must be pre-approved by the carriers and the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK); BTK-licensed providers like iletiMerkezi initiate and complete this approval on behalf of their customers. This guide covers the steps, the documents required, realistic timelines, and how to test end-to-end with the APITEST sender ID while approval is in flight.

Summary

Branded SMS in Turkey requires a BTK-approved sender ID.
The application is filed through the iletiMerkezi panel; carrier + BTK registration happens behind the scenes.
Prerequisite: the account's subscription must be active through the BTK e-Kayit approval on e-Devlet.
Typical timeline: 1-2 business days (carrier approval + BTK registration). Faster when the sender ID matches the registered trade name.
Pre-approval testing uses the built-in APITEST sender; messages reach only your registered test number.
Format: max 11 characters, alphanumeric (uppercase letters), ASCII-only, no Turkish-specific characters.

What is a sender ID?

The text shown in the sender field of an SMS (e.g. "BANK", "ATESCO", "ILETIMRKZ") is the sender ID. To the consumer, it is the first identity check; instead of a phone number, they see a name.

In Turkey this field cannot be chosen freely:

Under BTK regulation, a sender ID must be registered to a specific service provider or brand.
Carriers (Turkcell / Vodafone / Türk Telekom) reject unregistered sender IDs; the message is dropped at the carrier layer.
The applicant must prove ownership with a contract and trade documents.

Format rules

Length: max 11 characters
Character set: ASCII uppercase letters, digits; some carriers accept space or dot.
Turkish-specific characters (Ç, Ş, Ğ, Ö, Ü) are not allowed; "şirket" becomes SIRKET.
Generic / spam-like words (INFO, ALERT, OFFER) are usually rejected; brand names are preferred.

Prerequisite: an active subscription

A sender ID request is created only after the account's subscription is active. API integration does not have to wait for it: the APITEST sender is usable as soon as the free account exists. The subscription has two stages: you fill in the Settings > Account Information > Subscription Application form in the panel, then approve the contract and complete NFC identity verification in the e-Devlet BTK e-Kayit Basvurusu Onay Islemleri service. No paper contract is signed, and the subscription stays inactive until that approval is done. Step by step: Subscription application and e-Devlet approval (Turkish).

Documents required

You create the sender request under Settings > SMS > Sender IDs in the panel. The panel then lists the documents required for your applicant type:

Individual application (personal name as sender ID): colour copy or photo of the Turkish ID document, a document proving the title if one is used (Dr., Av. and similar), and a Residence (Ikametgah) certificate obtained from e-Devlet.
Company, public institution, association, NGO and trademark applications: copy of the authorised signatory's ID document, signature circular or another valid document proving signing authority, and official documents proving the trade name or trademark ownership.

Full list per customer type: Documents required for bulk SMS (Turkish).

Documents are delivered over KEP (Kayitli Elektronik Posta, Turkey's registered e-mail system): scan every page wet-signed and stamped as a PDF, or produce an e-signed PDF, and send it to [email protected]. The message must come from a KEP address belonging to the applicant; standard e-mail services never reach the KEP system. Documents are reviewed within 1 business day, and you are notified by SMS and e-mail once the sender ID is approved. Missing documents are the most common cause of delay.

Timeline expectations

Case	Typical time
Sender ID matches the trade name or is its abbreviation (e.g. `ATESCO` matches "ATESCO Ticaret A.Ş.")	1-2 business days
Sender ID requires a trademark certificate (e.g. a product brand distinct from the trade name)	1-2 business days
Generic / non-distinctive word (`MYSHOP`, `PROMO`)	High rejection risk; alternatives are suggested if rejected

If documentation is incomplete, the iletiMerkezi support team ([email protected]) reaches out proactively; an e-mail reply is the fastest way to keep the clock running.

While you wait: the APITEST sender

There is no need to pause technical integration while approval is in flight. iletiMerkezi makes a special sender ID called APITEST available to every account:

Sends with APITEST only reach the account's registered test phone number.
The recipient sees a fixed test message (the actual content is replaced).
It is not billed.
You can test the API integration, webhooks, and reporting flow end-to-end.

Once your brand sender ID is approved, you replace APITEST with BRAND_NAME, a single field change on your side.

Common mistakes

Using Turkish-specific characters. ŞİRKET must be written SIRKET. Carriers reject otherwise.
Too long. Anything over 11 characters is truncated or rejected. Pick a meaningful abbreviation.
No trademark for a sender ID different from the trade name. Without a trademark certificate, this combination is rejected.
Same sender ID applied for from multiple accounts. Only one account can own a given sender ID; first approved wins.
Generic service/sector words. KARGO (cargo), BANKA (bank), APPOINTMENT etc. are not distinctive as a brand and are typically rejected.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I have multiple sender IDs? Yes. Under one account you can register separate sender IDs for the main brand, sub-brands, and campaign brands. Each requires its own application.

Q: What happens if my sender ID is rejected? The reason is posted in the panel. After remediation (additional document, different name, abbreviation), you can re-apply.

Q: Can I send SMS from a personal/individual account? Personal accounts can use a name + surname sender ID for personal content only. Commercial messages require a trade name and İYS consent.

Q: Can I change my sender ID later? A new name needs a new application; the old sender ID can stay live or be retired. For brand-name changes, the iletiMerkezi support team guides the migration.

Q: Can I test with my real test number using my unapproved sender ID? No. Carriers drop unapproved sender IDs; there is no "testing channel" through real numbers. APITEST exists exactly to remove that friction.

Q: Is there a fee for the sender ID? At iletiMerkezi the application is included in standard plans; premium / specially regulated brands may incur extra fees, listed on the pricing page.

How to do it on iletiMerkezi

Sign up and log into the panel.
Complete the subscription: Settings > Account Information > Subscription Application in the panel, then the BTK e-Kayit approval on e-Devlet.
Under Settings > SMS > Sender IDs, pick the sender name and sender type and submit the request.
Send the documents listed by the panel to [email protected] from your own KEP address.
Start integration testing with APITEST while approval is in flight.
When the approval notification arrives, set the live sender ID in your code and switch to production.

Last updated: 2026-08-05 · Türkçe