---
title: "How to get an SMS sender ID in Turkey"
description: "Steps to obtain a BTK-approved sender ID (header) for branded SMS in Turkey: required documents, realistic timelines, and pre-approval testing with APITEST."
slug: /en/docs/guides/sms-basligi-nasil-alinir
locale: en
audience: general
last_updated: 2026-04-30
target_queries: [sender id turkey, turkey sms header approval, btk sender id, branded sms turkey, apitest sender]
related: [toplu-sms-nedir, iys-rehberi, kvkk-sms]
alternates:
  tr: https://www.iletimerkezi.com/docs/guides/sms-basligi-nasil-alinir
  en: https://www.iletimerkezi.com/en/docs/guides/sms-basligi-nasil-alinir
---

# 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.

## TL;DR

- 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.
- 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.

## Documents required

When applying through the iletiMerkezi panel, you'll be asked for:

1. **Trade name** registration (Trade Registry Gazette or MERSİS record).
2. **Tax certificate**.
3. **Signature circular** of the authorised signatory and a copy of their ID.
4. **Sender ID ↔ brand link:** If the sender ID is not part of the trade name, a trademark certificate or licensing agreement.
5. (In some cases) a **statement of intended use:** for commercial content, the İYS-consent prerequisite is acknowledged.

iletiMerkezi reviews documents and forwards them to the carriers and the BTK registration system. 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` ↔ "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 (`destek@emarka.com.tr`) 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

1. **[Sign up](https://panel.iletimerkezi.com/auth/signup)** and log into the panel.
2. Settings → **Sender ID Management** → "Add new sender ID".
3. Enter the sender text, the trade name, and upload the documents.
4. Start integration testing with `APITEST` while approval is in flight.
5. When the approval e-mail arrives, set the live sender ID in your code and switch to production.

[Sign up](https://panel.iletimerkezi.com/auth/signup) · [send-sms API](../api/send-sms.md) · [Test mode (APITEST)](../api/test-mode.md)

## Related

- [What is bulk SMS?](./toplu-sms-nedir)
- [İYS guide](./iys-rehberi)
- [KVKK and SMS](./kvkk-sms)
- [send-sms API](../api/send-sms.md)
- [Test mode (APITEST)](../api/test-mode.md)