If you already have a number your customers know, you can bring it to ReliaForward rather than starting a new one. The process is called a transfer, and you keep taking calls at your current provider until it completes.
Thinking about whether to transfer at all? Read Switching to ReliaForward from Another Provider first.
What it costs and how long it takes
| Canada | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per number | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Typical time | 5–7 business days | 3–5 business days |
Other countries have their own fees and timelines, shown before you submit.
What you need before you start
- A recent bill from your current provider, showing the number and the account holder's name and address exactly as they appear on that account
- Your account number with that provider, and the PIN or passcode if they use one
- The account holder's name and full billing address — this must match your current provider's records exactly, or the transfer will be rejected
The single most common cause of a rejected transfer is a name or address that does not match the current provider's records. Copy them from the bill rather than typing what you think they are.
Step 1 — Start the transfer
Go to Call Forwarding → Numbers → Add Number and choose to transfer a number you already own.
Step 2 — Enter the number and provider details
Enter the number being transferred, your current provider, your account number and the PIN if there is one. The fee for your country is shown here.
Step 3 — Upload your documents
Attach the documents your country requires — usually a recent bill. Each file must be under 5 MB, and you can upload up to five.
Step 4 — Sign the authorisation
The Letter of Authorization is the document that tells your current provider to release the number. You sign it in your browser: type the signer's name and draw the signature. Both are required — one without the other will not submit.
Sign as the person named on the current account.
Step 5 — Pay the fee
Pay the transfer fee by card, or have it billed to your account. You can download the signed authorisation and the bill from the request at any time afterwards.
Step 6 — Wait, and keep taking calls
Your current provider keeps handling calls until the transfer completes. Nothing changes for your callers during this time.
You can watch progress from the same place you submitted the request.
A temporary number is available so your ReliaForward setup works while you wait. Configure it exactly as you want the real number configured — when the transfer completes, your settings carry over.
While you are waiting
- Do not cancel your existing service. Cancelling before a transfer completes usually kills the transfer and can lose the number permanently.
- Do not change your account details with the current provider — that can break the match.
- Keep paying the current bill until the transfer is confirmed complete.
If the transfer is rejected
The most common reasons are a name or address mismatch, a wrong account number, a missing PIN, or an outstanding balance with the current provider. Correct the detail and resubmit — you do not need to start over.
You can cancel a transfer at any point before it completes.