Apply for a qualification
To prevent illegal SMS messages and comply with carrier regulations for real-name messaging, you must provide the signature owner's qualification documents when you apply for a signature for domestic SMS. Before you apply for an SMS signature, you must first apply for a qualification based on its intended use.
Before you begin
You have registered an Alibaba Cloud account, completed real-name registration, and activated Short Message Service.
Before applying for a qualification, prepare the required documents as described in Qualification material requirements.
Add a qualification
For domestic SMS, signature applications can only be authorized by companies based in the Chinese mainland. For international/Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan SMS, you do not need to submit a qualification application, a signature application, or a template application.
Log in to the Short Message Service console. In the , and then click Create Qualification.
Based on the intended use of the qualification, select For Own Use or For Others' Use, and fill in the required information.
Qualification for own use: Select this option if the enterprise or individual information for the qualification exactly matches the verified information of the logged-in Alibaba Cloud account.
You can apply for a qualification for own use when the entity using the SMS service is the same as the entity verified for your Alibaba Cloud account.
Qualification for third-party use: Select this option if the enterprise or individual information that you provide for the qualification does not match the verified information of the logged-in Alibaba Cloud account. You must provide the qualification documents of the qualification owner. This qualification type requires a corresponding signature for third-party use. You must provide a letter of authorization when applying for the signature.
For example, if User A applies for a qualification on behalf of Company B, the qualification entity is Company B. User A must apply for a "qualification for third-party use" and provide the enterprise information and legal representative details of Company B.
For own use
The following instructions describe how an enterprise-verified user applies for a qualification for own use. For individual-verified users, the process may vary. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Basic information
Parameter | Description |
Purpose | Select For Own Use. Important Individual-verified users cannot complete the real-name registration for signatures with a qualification for own use. You must apply for a "qualification for third-party use" or upgrade your account to an enterprise account. |
Reuse existing qualification | Reuse the information from a previously approved qualification. |
Organization type | Select Enterprise or Government Agency or Public Institution. |
Qualification name | The qualification name is for internal management only and helps distinguish between multiple qualifications. It does not appear in SMS message content. To easily find this qualification when you apply for a signature, choose a name that is easy to search. The naming rules are as follows:
|
Remarks | Use this field to provide additional information or notes for reviewers. |
Cross-product qualification authorization | Select the authorization checkbox. |
Certificate information
Individual-verified users can upload only ID card information. If you need to upload enterprise information and details about the legal representative or head of a public institution, you must upgrade your account to an enterprise account or apply for a qualification for third-party use.
If you have successfully upgraded your account to an enterprise account but the console still shows options for an individual account and prevents you from uploading enterprise information, clear your browser cache and refresh the page.
Category | Parameter | Description |
Enterprise information
| Authentication method | Online Submission: Enter the qualification information in the console. |
Enterprise name | The system automatically populates this field with information from your verified Alibaba Cloud account. No manual entry is required.
| |
Unified Social Credit Code | The system automatically populates this field with information from your verified Alibaba Cloud account. No manual entry is required. | |
Business certificate validity | The system automatically populates this field with information from your verified Alibaba Cloud account. No manual entry is required. If the certificate is valid long-term, the system automatically enters December 31, 2099. | |
Legal representative (or head of public institution) information | Name | Enter the name of the legal representative (or head of the public institution) as it appears on the certificate. Note
|
Select certificate | Select one of the following certificate types for the legal representative (or head of public institution): ID card, Passport, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents, or Other certificate types. | |
ID card/Certificate number | Enter the ID card or certificate number of the legal representative (or head of the public institution). The system validates the enterprise information you provide. If validation fails, the system prompts you to upload an ID photo of the legal representative (or head of the public institution). Follow the on-screen instructions. Note Due to regulatory requirements, you must provide the name and certificate number of the legal representative (or head of public institution) as registered with the relevant business authorities. Incomplete information may cause the registration to fail and prevent you from sending SMS messages. | |
Administrator information | Select certificate | Select ID Card or another certificate type. |
ID photo | Upload a photo of the administrator's ID card or another certificate type. After you upload photos of the front and back of the certificate, the system automatically populates the administrator's name, certificate number, and validity period. If the recognized information is incorrect, adjust it manually. | |
Administrator name | Verify the administrator's name. If the recognized name is incorrect, correct it manually. Note The administrator is the person who logs in to the Alibaba Cloud account to manage the SMS service. This is typically an operations staff member responsible for managing qualifications, signatures, and templates, and sending SMS messages. The administrator's phone number must be able to receive verification codes. This person is not necessarily the administrator of the Alibaba Cloud account. | |
ID card/Certificate number | Verify the certificate number. If the recognized number is incorrect, correct it manually. | |
ID card/Certificate validity period | Verify the certificate's validity period. If the recognized validity period is incorrect, correct it manually. If the certificate has a long-term validity, you can enter December 31, 2099. | |
Phone number verification | Enter a phone number to receive a verification code. | |
More materials | If you have other supporting documents, notes, or photos, you can upload them in the More Materials section. | |
Click AI Check and Submit. The system first runs an AI check on the qualification information, which takes about 10 seconds. The next step depends on the result:
AI detection passed: The system adds the qualification and automatically redirects you to the qualification management list.
AI detection failed: The "AI Detection Failed" section appears, listing the specific rule violations and their reasons. Modify the information as prompted and resubmit.
Expert review required: The initial AI check passed, but the application requires manual review. The system automatically submits it for expert review. The review takes about 2 hours.
Submission rate limiting: You can submit an application up to 5 times within 3 minutes. If you exceed this limit, the system disables the submit button for 1 minute and displays a countdown timer. Wait for the countdown to finish before you submit again.
For others' use
The following instructions describe how an enterprise-verified user applies for a qualification for third-party use. For individual-verified users, the process may vary. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Basic information
Parameter | Description |
Purpose | Select For Others' Use. |
Organization type | Select Enterprise or Government Agency or Public Institution. |
Qualification name | The qualification name is for internal management only and helps distinguish between multiple qualifications. It does not appear in SMS message content. To easily find this qualification when you apply for a signature, choose a name that is easy to search. The naming rules are as follows:
|
Remarks | Use this field to provide additional information or notes for reviewers. |
Certificate information
When you apply for a qualification for third-party use, provide the enterprise information and legal representative details of the qualification owner.
For example, if Company A needs to apply for a qualification on behalf of Company B, the qualification entity is Company B. You must upload the enterprise information and legal representative details for Company B.
Category | Parameter | Description |
Enterprise information | Authentication method | Online Submission: Enter the qualification information in the console. |
Select certificate | Select a certificate type:
| |
Business certificate | Upload a photo of the enterprise certificate of the signature owner. If the enterprise certificate photo is a photocopy or black-and-white, it must be stamped with the red official company seal. Color originals do not require a seal. | |
Enterprise name | Enter the enterprise name as it appears on the certificate.
| |
Unified Social Credit Code | Enter the Unified Social Credit Code as it appears on the certificate. If you later apply for a signature for third-party use and select this qualification, the Unified Social Credit Code of the authorizing party in the letter of authorization must match the code that you enter here. If they do not match, you cannot submit the application. | |
Business certificate validity | Enter the validity period as it appears on the certificate. If the certificate has a long-term validity, you can enter December 31, 2099. | |
Legal representative (or head of public institution) information | Name | Enter the name of the legal representative (or head of the public institution) as it appears on the certificate. Note
|
Select certificate | Select one of the following certificate types for the legal representative (or head of public institution): ID card, Passport, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents, or Other certificate types. If the legal representative is a resident of Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), or Taiwan (China), or is a foreign national without a Chinese mainland ID card, they can select Passport, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents, or Other certificate types to complete the qualification application. If the legal representative information does not match the enterprise information, the system displays a message such as "No such enterprise is found. Upload a photo of the legal representative's certificate registered with the business authority on the qualification submission page" (error code | |
ID card/Certificate number | Enter the ID card or certificate number of the legal representative (or head of the public institution). The system validates the enterprise information you provide. If validation fails, the system prompts you to upload an ID photo of the legal representative (or head of the public institution). Follow the on-screen instructions. Note Due to regulatory requirements, you must provide the name and certificate number of the legal representative (or head of public institution) as registered with the relevant business authorities. Incomplete information may cause the registration to fail and prevent you from sending SMS messages. | |
Administrator information | Select certificate | Select ID Card or another certificate type. |
ID photo | Upload a photo of the administrator's ID card or another certificate type. After you upload photos of the front and back of the certificate, the system automatically populates the administrator's name, certificate number, and validity period. If the recognized information is incorrect, you can adjust it manually. | |
Administrator name | Verify the administrator's name. If the recognized name is incorrect, correct it manually. Note The administrator is the person who logs in to the Alibaba Cloud account to manage the SMS service. This is typically an operations staff member responsible for managing qualifications, signatures, and templates, and sending SMS messages. The administrator's phone number must be able to receive verification codes. This person is not necessarily the administrator of the Alibaba Cloud account. | |
ID card/Certificate number | Verify the certificate number. If the recognized number is incorrect, correct it manually. | |
ID card/Certificate validity period | Verify the certificate's validity period. If the recognized validity period is incorrect, correct it manually. If the certificate has a long-term validity, you can enter December 31, 2099. | |
Phone number verification | Enter a phone number to receive a verification code. | |
More materials | If you have other supporting documents, notes, or photos, you can upload them in the More Materials section. | |
Click AI Check and Submit. The system first runs an AI check on the qualification information, which takes about 10 seconds. The next step depends on the result:
AI detection passed: The system adds the qualification and automatically redirects you to the qualification management list.
AI detection failed: The "AI Detection Failed" section appears, listing the specific rule violations and their reasons. Modify the information as prompted and resubmit.
Expert review required: The initial AI check passed, but the application requires manual review. The system automatically submits it for expert review. The review takes about 2 hours.
Submission rate limiting: You can submit an application up to 5 times within 3 minutes. If you exceed this limit, the system disables the submit button for 1 minute and displays a countdown timer. Wait for the countdown to finish before you submit again.
Troubleshoot submission failures
What do I do if qualification submission fails?
Follow these steps to troubleshoot:
Check whether you have uploaded both the front (photo) side and the back (national emblem) side of the administrator's ID card in the Administrator information section. Both are required fields; if either is missing, submission is blocked.
Verify that the Unified Social Credit Code is correct. This code is automatically populated from your Alibaba Cloud account's verified identity information. If it does not match your actual enterprise information, correct it and resubmit.
Qualification review
Verification time: The number of qualification verification tickets has increased rapidly because of real-name registration requirements for SMS signatures. As a result, the verification process may take longer than usual. The process is typically completed within two business days. If an upgraded verification is required or if you submit your request outside of business hours, the verification time may be extended. We appreciate your patience.
Verification business hours: 9:00 to 21:00, Monday to Sunday. Verification services are postponed on public holidays.
After you submit a qualification, the qualification creation page displays the AI detection result. If the AI detection fails, the page shows the following information:
AI Detection Failed section (expandable): When collapsed, this section shows an overview of the failed rule tags. When expanded, it displays the rule name, reason for failure, and a detection ID for each issue.
Expert Review Comments section (expandable): If the qualification is forwarded for manual review, this section displays a list of comments from the expert reviewers.
If the AI detection passes or if the application is forwarded for expert review, the system automatically redirects you to the qualification management list page.
After a qualification is approved, you can reuse it to apply for other corresponding signatures within its validity period.
Next steps
You can take the following actions on the Qualification Management page, depending on your qualification's review status:
Review status | Description |
Under review | You cannot modify or delete a qualification that is under review. You must first Withdraw the application.
|
Approved |
|
Rejected |
|
Withdrawn |
|
More information required | The qualification requires additional information. Edit the application to add the required details and resubmit it.
|
Update your qualification after enterprise information changes
When your enterprise information changes, the enterprise information associated with your existing qualification becomes outdated. You must reapply for a qualification to ensure that signatures and template registrations continue to work properly.
Log in to the Short Message Service console. In the left-side navigation pane, choose Go China > Qualifications, and then click Create Qualification.
Based on the intended use of the qualification, select For Own Use or For Others' Use (For Own Use: the signature entity matches the current account; For Others' Use: the signature entity differs from the current account).
Enter the updated enterprise information.
Upload the latest enterprise certificates (JPG, PNG, or JPEG format, up to 5 MB each).
Enter the legal representative and administrator information.
Click AI Check and Submit.
The review takes about two business days. After the review is approved, you can use the new qualification for signature and template registrations.
Related reading
FAQ
Do I receive a complimentary signature after my qualification is approved?
What do I do if a file fails to upload when I add a qualification?
If my qualification is approved, are my signature and templates automatically approved?
Whose phone number should be used for the verification code when I apply for a qualification?
Which steps in the qualification application process require an official seal?
Why must I submit a qualification for review after my Alibaba Cloud account is verified?