A wireless communication device can provide an indication that its registration in a circuit-switched domain of a network is intended only for a short message service that is included in or accompanies a registration request, such as a combined registration for both the CS domain and a packet-switched (PS) domain. The device can also change a conventional order of its domain registrations, e.g., by performing a PS-domain registration before a CS-domain registration, when it will send SMS messages over the PS domain. The device can indicate its intention to use or support for SMS over the PS domain and/or be informed about network support for SMS over the PS domain before the UE attempts a network registration.