A call forwarding server in a telephony network is configured to provide an authorization function during activation of a call forwarding service. In response to receiving a forwarding request including initiating and terminating telephone numbers (TN), the call forwarding server generates and sends a request for the terminating TN to obtain authorization for the forwarding service. In response to receiving an authorization response for enabling call forwarding, the call forwarding server enables call forwarding for the initiating TN by updating a call forwarding record to include an entry including the initiating TN and the terminating TN. Communications placed to the initiating TN are automatically forwarded to the terminating TN once the forwarding service is enabled.