Where you need one
If your campaign committee pays for it and the public sees it, assume it needs a disclaimer. That covers your website, your mass emails and anything you print or broadcast.
A political committee needs a disclaimer on all of its public communications, on its websites and apps open to the public, and on email sent to more than 500 people when the messages are substantially similar.
Source: 11 CFR 110.11, Communications; advertising; disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
All public communications, as defined in 11 CFR 100.26, made by a political committee; electronic mail of more than 500 substantially similar communications
What it says
The wording depends on who paid and whether the candidate approved it.
Your campaign paid and approved it: name the committee. The FEC's example is "Paid for by the Sam Jones for Congress Committee."
Source: FEC, Advertising and disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
EXAMPLE: "Paid for by the Sam Jones for Congress Committee."
Someone else paid, and the candidate approved it: say who paid and who authorized it, as in "Paid for by the XYZ Committee and authorized by the Sam Jones for Congress Committee."
Source: FEC, Advertising and disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
EXAMPLE: "Paid for by the XYZ Committee and authorized by the Sam Jones for Congress Committee."
No candidate approved it: give the payer's full name and a permanent street address, phone number or website, and say it is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Source: 11 CFR 110.11, Communications; advertising; disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
the disclaimer must clearly state the full name and permanent street address, telephone number, or website address of the person who paid for the communication,
Yard signs, flyers and other printed pieces
Yard signs are not exempt. The FEC's own guidance includes a yard sign example. Put the disclaimer in a box set apart from the rest of the design, make it easy to read, and use strong color contrast.
A disclaimer in 12-point type meets the size requirement for signs, posters, flyers and other printed material up to 24 by 36 inches.
Source: 11 CFR 110.11, Communications; advertising; disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
A disclaimer in twelve (12)-point type size satisfies the size requirement
No disclaimer is needed on small items where it cannot be conveniently printed: bumper stickers, pins, buttons and pens. The same goes for items where it is impracticable, such as clothing and skywriting, and for checks and receipts.
Source: 11 CFR 110.11, Communications; advertising; disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
Bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, and similar small items upon which the disclaimer cannot be conveniently printed;
Websites, emails and paid online ads
Put the full disclaimer in your website footer so it shows on every page. Add it to the footer of every mass email too.
Paid ads on someone else's site or platform have their own rules. People must be able to see the disclaimer without clicking anything.
Paid internet ads need a disclaimer people can see without taking any action. When it cannot fit, or would take up more than 25 percent of the ad, you may use a shorter "adapted disclaimer" with a way to reach the full one in one step.
Source: 11 CFR 110.11, Communications; advertising; disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
When a disclaimer described by paragraphs (b) and (c)(1) of this section cannot be provided or would occupy more than 25 percent of the communication
Text messages
Federal regulations do not have a rule written just for texts. The FEC points to one advisory opinion from 2002. It covered short SMS ads and treated them like bumper stickers. An advisory opinion applies to the facts in the request, and today's texts can be much longer than 160 characters.
Our suggestion: if a short "Paid for by" line fits, include it. Ask the FEC or a lawyer before relying on the exception.
In Advisory Opinion 2002-09, the FEC applied the small-items exception to political ads sent as SMS messages limited to 160 characters. It said the conclusion would not apply if the material facts changed.
Source: FEC Advisory Opinion 2002-09, Disclaimer requirements for political ads sent as text messages (final opinion, Aug. 23, 2002) checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
Based on the facts presented, the Commission concludes that the disclaimer exception at 11 CFR 110.11(a)(6)(i) applies to your request.
Radio and TV: "stand by your ad"
Candidate ads on radio and TV need the candidate's own voice approving the ad.
The spoken statement can follow this form: "I am [name], a candidate for [office], and I approved this advertisement."
Source: 11 CFR 110.11, Communications; advertising; disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
I am [insert name of candidate], a candidate for [insert Federal office sought], and I approved this advertisement.
TV ads also need a written statement at the end that fills at least 4 percent of the picture height and stays up for at least 4 seconds.
Source: FEC, Advertising and disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The written statement must occupy at least four percent of the vertical picture height.
A note on this page's source. The FEC's disclaimer page carries a notice that it has not been updated for a June 30, 2026 Supreme Court decision on party coordinated spending, because the Commission lacks a quorum. That decision concerns party spending limits, not the disclaimer wording above. Check the FEC page for updates.
Source: FEC, Advertising and disclaimers checked 2026-10-26
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