You can get a fax number through an online fax service. People send documents to that number from a fax machine or another fax service, and you receive them in your online account.
With DearFax, you can choose an available US or Canadian number for your workspace on Pro or Business. You use it in your browser, so there’s no phone line to install or machine to leave switched on.
Decide whether you need a new number
If you only need to send a document, you may not need a dedicated number. DearFax’s Free plan supports browser sending. A dedicated receiving number matters when someone needs to fax you back, or when you want a number you can give to clients and put on forms.
If you already have a fax number that people use, look into transferring it before choosing a replacement. Keeping it can save you from updating every contact and document that lists the old number.
For a new number, think about the location you want people to recognize. DearFax lets you search available local numbers in the United States and Canada. Availability varies by area code; finding a number in a specific location isn’t guaranteed.
Browse available numbers
Start on DearFax’s fax number page. You can browse numbers before signing up. Choose an available number in the country and area you want, then continue through the account and workspace setup.
Treat the selection as a choice to complete, not a number you can already publish. Availability is checked again before the number is added. Wait until it’s active in your workspace before giving it to someone who needs to send you documents.
If you’re setting this up for a business, use the workspace that will own and manage the number. The number belongs to that workspace, rather than privately to the person who happened to choose it.
Choose a plan with receiving
Pro and Business support dedicated fax numbers and receiving. Check the current plans for included pages, team access, and number allowances before completing your purchase.
Consider incoming documents as well as outgoing ones when choosing a page allowance. A business that sends only a few faxes may still receive long document sets.
Extra numbers can be added for an additional charge. Your workspace’s numbers share its plan and page allowance, so adding another number doesn’t create a separate pool of pages.
Wait until the number is active
Finish the setup and check the number’s status in your workspace. Once it’s active, copy it carefully into the places you want people to use: forms, contact details, or instructions for sending documents.
Include the country code when sharing it with someone outside your country. Tell them it’s a fax number so it isn’t mistaken for your voice line.
If you’re expecting an important first fax, arrange with the sender to confirm that it appears in your workspace. There’s no need to use a sensitive document just to check a new number.
Find incoming faxes
Incoming documents appear in your workspace’s Inbox. Open a fax to review its pages. You don’t need to keep a browser window open for the number to receive.
If you want incoming faxes delivered to your email as PDF attachments too, turn on Incoming faxes in your account’s notification settings. Each team member can manage their own notifications.
For a shared number, invite the people who need access to the workspace within your plan’s member allowance. Use their own accounts rather than sharing a password.
Keep an existing fax number
You can request to transfer an existing number to DearFax. In workspace settings, look for Port existing number and follow the instructions for the number and supporting information.
A transfer depends on eligibility and carrier processing. Keep your current service active until the transfer is complete and the number is ready to receive faxes in DearFax. Cancelling the old service first can interrupt incoming documents and complicate the transfer.
Check the porting request for updates or additional information needed. Don’t promise contacts a switch date until it has been confirmed.
What if you stop using the number?
Review both your subscription and your active numbers. Cancelling billing and releasing a fax number are separate actions in DearFax; don’t assume one automatically handles the other.
If you want to keep using the number with another provider, arrange the transfer before releasing it. Also update anyone who sends documents to a number you’re retiring.
To see what’s available now, browse DearFax fax numbers.