Vanity Number Porting: How to Move Your Custom Phone Number Without Losing Service

When you choose a vanity number, a custom phone number that spells out a word or phrase, like 1-800-FLOWERS or 1-888-CONTACT. Also known as memorable number, it becomes part of your brand identity—easy to remember, easy to say, and hard to replace. But what happens when you switch VoIP providers? Can you take that number with you? Yes, but only if you understand vanity number porting, the process of transferring a custom phone number from one carrier or VoIP provider to another correctly. It’s not automatic. It’s not always fast. And if you skip the steps, you could lose your number—or worse, your customers.

Porting a vanity number isn’t like moving your home internet. It involves coordination between your old provider, your new one, and sometimes the underlying telecom carriers that own the number blocks. The number might look simple—like 1-800-PLUMBING—but behind it is a complex chain of routing, regulatory compliance, and technical handoffs. SIP trunk, a virtual phone line that connects your VoIP system to the public phone network is often the bridge you’re moving across. If your new SIP trunk provider doesn’t support vanity number transfers, or if your old provider drags their feet, your port could stall for weeks. That’s why top businesses start the process before canceling their old service—and never assume the number will move on its own.

Many people think porting is just filling out a form. It’s not. You need a Letter of Authorization (LOA), a recent bill from your current provider, and exact matching account details. Even a typo in the business name or the number format can cause rejection. And don’t forget: vanity numbers often come with extra fees or restrictions. Some providers charge for porting, others don’t. Some require you to keep the number active for 30 days before transfer. Others won’t port numbers that were leased, not owned. This is where most attempts fail—not because of tech, but because of paperwork.

That’s why the posts below cover exactly what you need to avoid the common traps. You’ll find real examples of companies that lost their number because they didn’t verify carrier eligibility, guides on how to check if your vanity number is portable, and step-by-step checklists for submitting port requests without delays. There’s also advice on how to keep your number active during the transition, what to tell your customers while you wait, and how to spot a provider that makes porting easy versus one that hides the process in fine print. Whether you’re a small business with a branded 1-800 number or a startup using a custom virtual phone number for marketing, this collection gives you the practical steps—not theory—to keep your number, your brand, and your calls running without interruption.