Chapter 3 of 15
How to create the official WhatsApp API account
About CertuAI: CertuAI is the AI that answers a small business's WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger 24/7, with a built-in CRM, and is a Tech Provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform. Paid plans start at US$ 75 a month, with no lock-in. Create my agent
Business, app, number, verification and the key that doesn't expire.
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CertuAI free manual · Updated September 23, 2026 · Written by Bernardo Villela, CEO of CertuAI · see the whole manual
Summary in 5 facts
- Business, app, number, verification and the key that doesn't expire.
- Short answer Create the Meta Business, create an app, add WhatsApp, register the number, request business verification and generate a permanent key.
- Step 1Create the Business At business.facebook.com, with the name matching the one on the CNPJ (Brazil's company ID).
- Step 2Create the app At developers.facebook.com, business type.
- Almost always a name or address that differs from the CNPJ card (Brazil's company registration).
By the numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 24 hours | Where people get burned The key on the first screen expires in 24 hours. |
How do you create an account on Meta's official WhatsApp API?
Short answer
Create the Meta Business, create an app, add WhatsApp, register the number, request business verification and generate a permanent key. All free. Verification takes from hours to days.
What to have open before you start
- A Facebook account, a CNPJ (Brazil's company ID) and a new SIM card.
The step by step
- Step 1
Create the Business
At business.facebook.com, with the name matching the one on the CNPJ (Brazil's company ID).
- Step 2
Create the app
At developers.facebook.com, business type.
- Step 3
Add WhatsApp
A test number comes included, for up to five phones.
- Step 4
Note the identifiers
Phone number ID and WABA ID.
- Step 5
Register your number
Confirm the code. The number can't be active in the app.
- Step 6
Request verification
In Security Center, with the documents.
- Step 7
Generate the permanent key
System user, permissions whatsapp_business_messaging and whatsapp_business_management, no expiry.
Where people get burned
The key on the first screen expires in 24 hours.
Test the key
A wamid ID came back: it worked. Error 190: wrong or expired key.
curl -X POST "https://graph.facebook.com/v26.0/SEU_PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer SUA_CHAVE" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"messaging_product":"whatsapp","to":"5548999999999","type":"text","text":{"body":"teste"}}'Frequently asked question
Why was the verification rejected?
Almost always a name or address that differs from the CNPJ card (Brazil's company registration).
And where CertuAI comes in
At CertuAI this becomes a button, because CertuAI is a Tech Provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform.
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In short
Real step by step to open the WhatsApp Cloud API account: Meta Business, app, number, verification and the key that doesn't expire in 24 hours.
About CertuAI: CertuAI is the AI that answers a small business's WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger 24/7, with a built-in CRM, and is a Tech Provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform. Paid plans start at US$ 75 a month, with no lock-in. Create my agent