X9 reference
X9.37 file format: record types and fields
The image cash letter format of DSTU X9.37-2003 and ANSI X9.100-187, record by record: how a file is organized, every field layout with its positions, the main code tables and the checks the X9 Viewer runs.
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How an X9.37 file is organized
An X9.37 file, or image cash letter, carries checks between banks as fixed records, each starting with a two-digit record type. The records nest: the file holds cash letters, a cash letter holds bundles, a bundle holds the items (checks presented for payment, or returns), and each item carries its addenda and its image views. Every bundle, cash letter and the file itself close with a control record that states their counts and totals.
- 01File HeaderOnce, the first record
- 10Cash Letter HeaderStarts each cash letter
- 20Bundle HeaderStarts each bundle
- 25Check DetailOne per check presented (forward collection)
- 26 27 28Check Detail Addenda A, B and CAfter their check, before its images
- 31ReturnOne per returned item (return cash letters)
- 32 33 34 35Return Addenda A to DAfter their return, before its images
- 50 52Image View Detail and Image View DataA pair per image view, usually front then back
- 54Image View AnalysisOptional, after the view it describes
- 61 62Credit recordsWhere the exchange partners use them, in a bundle or cash letter
- 70Bundle ControlCloses each bundle
- 75 85Box Summary and Routing Number SummaryOptional, after the bundles of a cash letter (40 and 41 in DSTU files)
- 90Cash Letter ControlCloses each cash letter
- 99File ControlOnce, the last record
Editions and standard levels
“X9.37” is the common name for the format, after the draft standard DSTU X9.37-2003. ANSI X9.100-187 replaced the draft in 2008 and has been revised since, most recently in 2021. The File Header’s Standard Level (positions 3–4) says which edition a file follows, and the X9 Viewer picks each record’s layout from it.
| Edition | Standard Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DSTU X9.37-2003 | 03 | Draft standard for trial use (DSTU) for check image exchange. Replaced by X9.100-187; the Federal Reserve still accepts it. |
| X9.100-187-2008 | 30 | The US standard that replaced DSTU X9.37-2003. It adds fields in positions the DSTU left reserved. |
| X9.100-187-2013 | 35 | Revision of the 2008 edition. |
| X9.100-187-2016 | 35 | Revision of the 2013 edition. From this edition on, return reasons are defined in the separate standard X9.100-188. |
| X9.100-187-2021 (current) | Not confirmed | Current edition; revises the 2016 edition. Not yet reviewed here, so the Standard Level its files carry and any layout changes are unconfirmed. |
Related standards
- ANSI X9.100-180: The non-domestic successor of DSTU X9.37 (used in Canada); it defines its own type 61 credit record.
- ANSI X9.100-181: The TIFF image format for exchanged check images.
- ANSI X9.100-188: Return reasons for check image exchange and image replacement documents, customer and administrative (current edition 2023).
- ASC X9 TR 47 (Universal Companion Document): Industry rules for using X9.100-187 between exchange partners (current edition 2022).
Bytes, encodings and record lengths
- Text is EBCDIC or ASCII. Record text is EBCDIC (code page 037 in the US) or ASCII, and the first record’s type bytes tell which. Image data and digital signatures are binary and never converted.
- Each record starts with a 4-byte length. The usual transmission format puts the record’s length in four bytes, big-endian, in front of every record. Some files have no prefix (records back to back, or one per line in ASCII exports), an IBM record descriptor word (a 2-byte length and two zero bytes), or a little-endian length written by some PC tools. The X9 Viewer detects all four.
- Records are 80 bytes, except the 100-byte Credit (62) and four variable-length types whose own length fields say how long they are: the image archive addenda (27 and 34), Image View Data (52) and User Record (68).
- Numbers are digits only. Amounts are in cents with no decimal point (
0000123456is $1,234.56), dates areYYYYMMDDand timeshhmmon a 24-hour clock. Routing numbers carry the ABA check digit; in checks and returns the ninth digit is a field of its own.
Check images
Each view of an item is a pair of records: an Image View Detail (50) that describes it and an Image View Data (52) that carries the bytes. A check usually has two views, front (View Side Indicator 0) then back (1); an Image View Analysis (54) may follow either.
- TIFF with Group 4 compression is the default. Image View Format 00 (TIFF 6) with compression 00 (CCITT Group 4, a black-and-white fax encoding) needs no agreement between the banks; JPEG, PNG and the other formats do. ANSI X9.100-181 defines the TIFF profile for exchanged images.
- The image is near the end of the 52. After the fixed fields (to position 105) come the image reference key (X bytes), a 5-digit signature length and the digital signature (Y bytes), then a 7-digit image length and the image (Z bytes). The image data starts at byte 118 + X + Y of the record.
- The 50 states what the 52 should hold: whether an image is present (Image Indicator), its format and compression, and its size in bytes. The X9 Viewer compares them with the image it finds and decodes TIFF Group 4 views for display.
Totals and counts the viewer checks
Every control record is compared with what the file actually holds. Amounts are compared to the cent.
- Bundle Control (70): the number of items (checks or returns), their total amount, the total of the checks whose MICR Valid Indicator is 1 (a warning when it is off) and the number of image views (50 records) in the bundle.
- Cash Letter Control (90): the number of bundles, items and image views in the cash letter, and the items’ total amount.
- File Control (99): the number of cash letters, the number of records of every type (the 01 and 99 included), the number of items and their total amount.
- Credits: from the 2008 edition on, the Credit Total Indicator in the 70, 90 and 99 says whether credit records (61, 62) are part of those counts and totals: 1 includes them, 0 leaves them out. With a blank indicator, or in a DSTU file, the viewer accepts either.
- Items: each check’s or return’s addendum count against the addenda that follow it, and the record numbers of those addenda. A Routing Number Summary (85) is checked against the items for its routing number (a warning).
Record types
The 25 record types the X9 Viewer decodes. Types 61, 62 and 68 are not in DSTU X9.37-2003; 40 and 41 are only in it; and 61 is not defined by either standard: the bank or clearing arrangement sets its layout.
| Type | Record | Bytes | DSTU 2003 | X9.100-187 | What it holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | File Header Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Opens the file: standard level, test or production, immediate destination and origin, and creation date and time. |
| 10 | Cash Letter Header Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Opens a cash letter: the bundles sent together for one business day, with collection type, routing numbers and cash letter ID. |
| 20 | Bundle Header Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Opens a bundle of items within a cash letter, with its business date, ID and sequence number. |
| 25 | Check Detail Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | One check presented for payment: MICR line data (routing number, On-Us, Auxiliary On-Us), amount and item sequence number. |
| 26 | Check Detail Addendum A Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Bank of first deposit (BOFD) endorsement: return location, BOFD business date, deposit account and payee. |
| 27 | Check Detail Addendum B RecordVariable lengthDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | Variable | Yes | Yes | Image archive reference for the check: microfilm sequence number and a variable-length image reference key. |
| 28 | Check Detail Addendum C Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | A subsequent endorsement, one record per endorsing bank after the BOFD. |
| 31 | Return Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | One returned item: payor bank routing number, On-Us, amount, return reason and forward bundle date. |
| 32 | Return Addendum A Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | BOFD endorsement on the returned item (same layout as type 26). |
| 33 | Return Addendum B Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Payor bank details for the return: bank name, item sequence number, business date and payor account name. |
| 34 | Return Addendum C RecordVariable lengthDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | Variable | Yes | Yes | Image archive reference for the returned item (same layout as type 27). |
| 35 | Return Addendum D Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | An endorsing bank on the returned item (same layout as type 28). |
| 40 | Account Totals Detail Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: No | 80 | Yes | No | Item count and amount for a key account or account range. |
| 41 | Non-Hit Totals Detail Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: No | 80 | Yes | No | Item count and amount for items that matched no key account. |
| 50 | Image View Detail Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Describes one image view of the item (front or back): format, compression, creator and digital-signature settings. Its Image View Data record follows. |
| 52 | Image View Data RecordVariable lengthDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | Variable | Yes | Yes | Carries the image bytes of the preceding Image View Detail, with the image reference key and optional digital signature. |
| 54 | Image View Analysis Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Image quality and usability test results for the preceding image view. |
| 61 | Credit Reconciliation Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: NoX9.100-187: No | 80 | No | No | A credit for the deposit, within a cash letter or bundle. |
| 62 | Credit Record100 bytesDSTU 2003: NoX9.100-187: Yes | 100 | No | Yes | A credit for the deposit, with a 14-digit amount. |
| 68 | User RecordVariable lengthDSTU 2003: NoX9.100-187: Yes | Variable | No | Yes | Data defined by the record owner: the general format, or format 001 for a payee endorsement. |
| 70 | Bundle Control Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Closes a bundle with its item count, total amount, MICR-valid amount and image count. |
| 75 | Box Summary Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Totals for a box of bundles: destination, bundle count and box total. |
| 85 | Routing Number Summary Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Item count and amount totals for one routing number within the cash letter. |
| 90 | Cash Letter Control Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Closes a cash letter with its bundle, item and image counts, total amount, ECE institution name and settlement date. |
| 99 | File Control Record80 bytesDSTU 2003: YesX9.100-187: Yes | 80 | Yes | Yes | Closes the file with its cash letter, record and item counts and the file total amount. |
Record layouts
Every field of every record type, with positions counted from 1 and both ends included. Usage is M (mandatory) or C (conditional: present when it applies). Where a DSTU X9.37-2003 file differs, the differences follow the layout. In variable-length records, X, Y and Z stand for the lengths given in the record’s own length fields.
| Type | Characters allowed |
|---|---|
| N | Numeric: digits 0 to 9 |
| A | Alphabetic: letters |
| AN | Alphanumeric: letters and digits |
| ANS | Alphanumeric and special characters |
| B | Blank |
| NB | Numeric or blank |
| NS | Numeric and special characters |
| NBSM | Numeric, blank and the special MICR characters (the dash, and * for a character that could not be read) |
| NBSMOS | As NBSM, plus the On-Us symbol (/) |
| Binary | Bytes that are not text: image data and digital signatures |
01 File Header Record
Opens the file: standard level, test or production, immediate destination and origin, and creation date and time. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "01". |
| 3–4 | Standard Level | 2 | N | M | Edition of the standard the file follows. Standard Level codes |
| 5 | Test File Indicator | 1 | A | M | Whether the file is test or production. |
| 6–14 | Immediate Destination Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution receiving the file. |
| 15–23 | Immediate Origin Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution sending the file. |
| 24–31 | File Creation Date | 8 | N | M | Date the file was created (YYYYMMDD). |
| 32–35 | File Creation Time | 4 | N | M | Time the file was created (hhmm, 24-hour clock). |
| 36 | Resend Indicator | 1 | A | M | Whether the file is being resent. |
| 37–54 | Immediate Destination Name | 18 | ANS | C | Name of the institution receiving the file. |
| 55–72 | Immediate Origin Name | 18 | ANS | C | Name of the institution sending the file. |
| 73 | File ID Modifier | 1 | AN | C | Distinguishes files created on the same date and time between the same institutions. |
| 74–75 | Country Code | 2 | A | C | Country of the sending institution (e.g. US). |
| 76–79 | User Field | 4 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 80 | Companion Document Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Identifies the companion document (clearing arrangement rules) the file follows. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Reserved | 1 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
10 Cash Letter Header Record
Opens a cash letter: the bundles sent together for one business day, with collection type, routing numbers and cash letter ID. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "10". |
| 3–4 | Collection Type Indicator | 2 | N | M | Kind of items in the cash letter. Collection Type Indicator codes |
| 5–13 | Destination Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution the cash letter is sent to. |
| 14–22 | ECE Institution Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution that created the cash letter. |
| 23–30 | Cash Letter Business Date | 8 | N | M | Business day of the cash letter (YYYYMMDD). |
| 31–38 | Cash Letter Creation Date | 8 | N | M | Date the cash letter was created (YYYYMMDD). |
| 39–42 | Cash Letter Creation Time | 4 | N | M | Time the cash letter was created (hhmm). |
| 43 | Cash Letter Record Type Indicator | 1 | A | M | Which item and image records the cash letter contains. Cash Letter Record Type Indicator codes |
| 44 | Cash Letter Documentation Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Default documentation type for the items; Z means each item states its own. Documentation Type Indicator codes |
| 45–52 | Cash Letter ID | 8 | AN | M | Identifier assigned by the institution that created the cash letter. |
| 53–66 | Originator Contact Name | 14 | ANS | C | Contact at the institution that created the cash letter. |
| 67–76 | Originator Contact Phone Number | 10 | N | C | Phone number of the originator contact. |
| 77 | Fed Work Type | 1 | AN | C | Federal Reserve work type, when the cash letter is sent to the Federal Reserve. |
| 78 | Returns Indicator | 1 | A | C | Kind of returns in a return cash letter. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 79 | User Field | 1 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 80 | Reserved | 1 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45–52 | Cash Letter ID | 8 | AN | C | Identifier assigned by the institution that created the cash letter. |
| 78 | User Field | 1 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 79–80 | Reserved | 2 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
20 Bundle Header Record
Opens a bundle of items within a cash letter, with its business date, ID and sequence number. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "20". |
| 3–4 | Collection Type Indicator | 2 | N | M | Kind of items in the bundle. Collection Type Indicator codes |
| 5–13 | Destination Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution the bundle is sent to. |
| 14–22 | ECE Institution Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution that created the bundle. |
| 23–30 | Bundle Business Date | 8 | N | M | Business day of the bundle (YYYYMMDD). |
| 31–38 | Bundle Creation Date | 8 | N | M | Date the bundle was created (YYYYMMDD). |
| 39–48 | Bundle ID | 10 | AN | C | Identifier assigned by the institution that created the bundle. |
| 49–52 | Bundle Sequence Number | 4 | NB | C | Order of the bundle within the cash letter. |
| 53–54 | Cycle Number | 2 | AN | C | Presentment cycle agreed between the exchange partners. |
| 55–63 | Reserved | 9 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| 64–68 | User Field | 5 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 69–80 | Reserved | 12 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55–63 | Return Location Routing Number | 9 | N | C | Where returns for the bundle should be sent. Reserved from X9.100-187-2008 on. |
25 Check Detail Record
One check presented for payment: MICR line data (routing number, On-Us, Auxiliary On-Us), amount and item sequence number. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "25". |
| 3–17 | Auxiliary On-Us | 15 | NBSM | C | MICR Auxiliary On-Us field: usually the serial number of a business check. |
| 18 | External Processing Code | 1 | NS | C | MICR position 44, used for special purposes authorized by X9. |
| 19–26 | Payor Bank Routing Number | 8 | N | M | First 8 digits (TTTTAAAA) of the routing number of the bank the check is drawn on. |
| 27 | Payor Bank Routing Number Check Digit | 1 | N | M | Ninth digit of the payor bank routing number (ABA check digit). |
| 28–47 | On-Us | 20 | NBSMOS | C | MICR On-Us field: the payor's account number and often the serial number; '/' is the On-Us symbol. |
| 48–57 | Item Amount | 10 | N | M | Amount of the check in cents. |
| 58–72 | ECE Institution Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | M | Number assigned by the institution that created the record; unique within the file. |
| 73 | Documentation Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether an image and/or paper accompanies the item. Documentation Type Indicator codes |
| 74 | Electronic Return Acceptance Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether the institution that created the record will accept electronic returns and return notifications for the item. |
| 75 | MICR Valid Indicator | 1 | N | C | Result of reading the MICR line. MICR Valid Indicator codes |
| 76 | BOFD Indicator | 1 | A | M | Whether the ECE institution is the bank of first deposit. BOFD Indicator codes |
| 77–78 | Check Detail Record Addendum Count | 2 | N | M | Number of Check Detail Addendum A, B and C records (26/27/28) that follow. |
| 79 | Correction Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether and how the MICR line was repaired. Correction Indicator codes |
| 80 | Archive Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | How the item is archived. Archive Type Indicator codes |
26 Check Detail Addendum A Record
Bank of first deposit (BOFD) endorsement: return location, BOFD business date, deposit account and payee. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "26". |
| 3 | Check Detail Addendum A Record Number | 1 | N | M | Position of this record among the item’s Addendum A records, starting at 1. |
| 4–12 | Return Location Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Where returns and return notifications should be sent; usually the BOFD. |
| 13–20 | BOFD Business (Endorsement) Date | 8 | N | M | Business date of the BOFD endorsement (YYYYMMDD). |
| 21–35 | BOFD Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | C | Sequence number assigned by the BOFD. |
| 36–53 | Deposit Account Number at BOFD | 18 | ANS | C | Account the item was deposited to. |
| 54–58 | BOFD Deposit Branch | 5 | ANS | C | Branch where the item was deposited. |
| 59–73 | Payee Name | 15 | ANS | C | Name of the payee. |
| 74 | Truncation Indicator | 1 | A | M | Whether the BOFD truncated the original check. |
| 75 | BOFD Conversion Indicator | 1 | AN | C | How the BOFD converted the item. Conversion Indicator codes |
| 76 | BOFD Correction Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether and how the BOFD repaired the MICR line. Correction Indicator codes |
| 77 | User Field | 1 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 78–80 | Reserved | 3 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–12 | Bank of First Deposit (BOFD) Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the bank of first deposit. |
27 Check Detail Addendum B Record
Image archive reference for the check: microfilm sequence number and a variable-length image reference key. Variable length. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "27". |
| 3 | Image Reference Key Indicator | 1 | N | M | Whether an Image Reference Key is present. |
| 4–18 | Microfilm Archive Sequence Number | 15 | NB | C | Sequence number of the item in the microfilm archive. |
| 19–22 | Length of Image Reference Key | 4 | N | M | Number of bytes in the Image Reference Key that follows. |
| 23–22+X | Image Reference Key | X | ANS | C | Key for retrieving the archived image. Its length, X, is the value of field 4 (Length of Image Reference Key). |
| 23+X–37+X | Description | 15 | ANS | C | Description of the archive reference. |
| 38+X–41+X | User Field | 4 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 42+X–46+X | Reserved | 5 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
28 Check Detail Addendum C Record
A subsequent endorsement, one record per endorsing bank after the BOFD. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "28". |
| 3–4 | Check Detail Addendum C Record Number | 2 | N | M | Position of this record among the item’s endorsement addenda, starting at 01. |
| 5–13 | Endorsing Bank Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the endorsing bank. |
| 14–21 | Endorsing Bank Business (Endorsement) Date | 8 | N | M | Business date of the endorsement (YYYYMMDD). |
| 22–36 | Endorsing Bank Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | M | Sequence number assigned by the endorsing bank. |
| 37 | Truncation Indicator | 1 | A | M | Whether the endorsing bank truncated the original check. |
| 38 | Endorsing Bank Conversion Indicator | 1 | AN | C | How the endorsing bank converted the item. Conversion Indicator codes |
| 39 | Endorsing Bank Correction Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether and how the endorsing bank repaired the MICR line. Correction Indicator codes |
| 40 | Return Reason | 1 | AN | C | Return reason, when the endorsement is on a returned item. Return Reason codes Meanings as listed in X9.100-187-2008. From the 2016 edition on, return reasons are defined in ANSI X9.100-188 (current edition 2023), which separates customer and administrative reasons and may list other codes; check them against your exchange partner’s list. |
| 41–59 | User Field | 19 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 60 | Endorsing Bank Identifier | 1 | AN | C | Role of the endorsing bank in the exchange. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 61–80 | Reserved | 20 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Return Reason | 1 | AN | C | Return reason, when the endorsement is on a returned item. Return Reason codes Meanings as listed for DSTU X9.37-2003, where T is Stop Payment Suspect. |
| 60–80 | Reserved | 21 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
31 Return Record
One returned item: payor bank routing number, On-Us, amount, return reason and forward bundle date. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "31". |
| 3–10 | Payor Bank Routing Number | 8 | N | M | First 8 digits (TTTTAAAA) of the routing number of the bank the item was drawn on. |
| 11 | Payor Bank Routing Number Check Digit | 1 | N | M | Ninth digit of the payor bank routing number (ABA check digit). |
| 12–31 | On-Us Return Record | 20 | NBSMOS | C | MICR On-Us field of the returned item; '/' is the On-Us symbol. |
| 32–41 | Item Amount | 10 | N | M | Amount of the returned item in cents. |
| 42 | Return Reason | 1 | AN | M | Why the item is being returned. Return Reason codes Meanings as listed in X9.100-187-2008. From the 2016 edition on, return reasons are defined in ANSI X9.100-188 (current edition 2023), which separates customer and administrative reasons and may list other codes; check them against your exchange partner’s list. |
| 43–44 | Return Record Addendum Count | 2 | N | M | Number of Return Addendum A, B, C and D records (32/33/34/35) that follow. |
| 45 | Return Documentation Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether an image and/or paper accompanies the return. Documentation Type Indicator codes |
| 46–53 | Forward Bundle Date | 8 | N | C | Business date of the bundle in which the item was originally presented. |
| 54–68 | ECE Institution Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | C | Sequence number from the original forward presentment. |
| 69 | External Processing Code | 1 | NS | C | MICR position 44, used for special purposes authorized by X9. |
| 70 | Return Notification Indicator | 1 | N | M | Whether the record is a return or a return notification. |
| 71 | Return Archive Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | How the returned item is archived. Archive Type Indicator codes |
| 72 | Number of Times Returned | 1 | N | C | How many times the item has been returned. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 73–80 | Reserved | 8 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Return Reason | 1 | AN | M | Why the item is being returned. Return Reason codes Meanings as listed for DSTU X9.37-2003, where T is Stop Payment Suspect. |
| 72–80 | Reserved | 9 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
32 Return Addendum A Record
BOFD endorsement on the returned item (same layout as type 26). 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
The layout is that of type 26, Check Detail Addendum A Record, except for the fields below.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Return Addendum A Record Number | 1 | N | M | Position of this record among the item’s Addendum A records, starting at 1. |
| 76 | BOFD Correction Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether and how the BOFD repaired the MICR line. Correction Indicator codes |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–12 | Bank of First Deposit (BOFD) Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the bank of first deposit. |
33 Return Addendum B Record
Payor bank details for the return: bank name, item sequence number, business date and payor account name. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "33". |
| 3–20 | Payor Bank Name | 18 | ANS | C | Name of the bank the item was drawn on. |
| 21–35 | Auxiliary On-Us | 15 | NBSM | C | MICR Auxiliary On-Us field of the returned item. |
| 36–50 | Payor Bank Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | C | Sequence number assigned by the payor bank. |
| 51–58 | Payor Bank Business Date | 8 | N | C | Business date of the payor bank (YYYYMMDD). |
| 59–80 | Payor Account Name | 22 | ANS | C | Name on the payor’s account. |
34 Return Addendum C Record
Image archive reference for the returned item (same layout as type 27). Variable length. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
The layout is that of type 27, Check Detail Addendum B Record; only the record type differs.
35 Return Addendum D Record
An endorsing bank on the returned item (same layout as type 28). 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
The layout is that of type 28, Check Detail Addendum C Record, except for the fields below.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–4 | Return Addendum D Record Number | 2 | N | M | Position of this record among the item’s endorsement addenda, starting at 01. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Return Reason | 1 | AN | C | Return reason, when the endorsement is on a returned item. Return Reason codes Meanings as listed for DSTU X9.37-2003, where T is Stop Payment Suspect. |
| 60–80 | Reserved | 21 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
40 Account Totals Detail Record
Item count and amount for a key account or account range. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "40". |
| 3–11 | Destination Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number the totals are reported to. |
| 12–29 | Key Account / Low Account in Key Account Range | 18 | ANS | M | Key account, or the first account of a key account range. |
| 30–47 | Key Account / High Account in Key Account Range | 18 | ANS | M | Key account, or the last account of a key account range. |
| 48–59 | Total Item Count | 12 | N | M | Items for the key account (range). |
| 60–73 | Total Item Amount | 14 | N | M | Amount of the items for the key account (range), in cents. |
| 74–77 | User Field | 4 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 78–80 | Reserved | 3 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
41 Non-Hit Totals Detail Record
Item count and amount for items that matched no key account. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "41". |
| 3–11 | Destination Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number the totals are reported to. |
| 12 | Non-Hit Indicator | 1 | AN | M | Which non-hit totals the record reports. |
| 13–24 | Total Item Count | 12 | N | M | Items that did not match a key account. |
| 25–38 | Total Item Amount | 14 | N | M | Amount of the items that did not match a key account, in cents. |
| 39–42 | User Field | 4 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 43–80 | Reserved | 38 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
50 Image View Detail Record
Describes one image view of the item (front or back): format, compression, creator and digital-signature settings. Its Image View Data record follows. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "50". |
| 3 | Image Indicator | 1 | N | M | Whether an image view is present and whether it shows the actual check. Image Indicator codes |
| 4–12 | Image Creator Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution that created the image. |
| 13–20 | Image Creator Date | 8 | N | M | Date the image was created (YYYYMMDD). |
| 21–22 | Image View Format Indicator | 2 | N | C | Image file format; 00 (TIFF 6) needs no agreement, the others do. Image View Format Indicator codes |
| 23–24 | Image View Compression Algorithm Identifier | 2 | N | C | Compression; 00 (CCITT Group 4) needs no agreement, the others do. Image View Compression Algorithm Identifier codes |
| 25–31 | Image View Data Size | 7 | N | C | Number of bytes in the image data of the following Image View Data record. |
| 32 | View Side Indicator | 1 | N | M | Front or back of the item. |
| 33–34 | View Descriptor | 2 | N | M | Full view (00) or one of the partial views (01-13: date, payee, amount, signature, MICR line, endorsements, ...). |
| 35 | Digital Signature Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether the Image View Data record carries a digital signature. |
| 36–37 | Digital Signature Method | 2 | N | C | Algorithm of the digital signature. Digital Signature Method codes |
| 38–42 | Security Key Size | 5 | N | C | Length of the digital signature key in bits. |
| 43–49 | Start of Protected Data | 7 | N | C | Offset of the first image byte covered by the digital signature. |
| 50–56 | Length of Protected Data | 7 | N | C | Number of image bytes covered by the digital signature. |
| 57 | Image Recreate Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether the sender can recreate the image view. |
| 58–65 | User Field | 8 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 66 | Image TIFF Variance Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether the TIFF image uses one of the variances allowed by X9.100-181. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 67 | Override Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Overrides an image quality (IQA) test failure; letters identify the failed test. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 68–80 | Reserved | 13 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66–80 | Reserved | 15 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
52 Image View Data Record
Carries the image bytes of the preceding Image View Detail, with the image reference key and optional digital signature. Variable length. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
Variable length: the image data starts at byte 118 + X + Y (1-based), where X and Y are the reference key and signature lengths.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "52". |
| 3–11 | ECE Institution Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the institution that created the item record. |
| 12–19 | Bundle Business Date | 8 | N | M | Business date of the bundle the image belongs to (YYYYMMDD). |
| 20–21 | Cycle Number | 2 | AN | C | Cycle number from the Bundle Header. |
| 22–36 | ECE Institution Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | C | Sequence number of the item the image belongs to. |
| 37–52 | Security Originator Name | 16 | ANS | C | Originator of the digital signature. |
| 53–68 | Security Authenticator Name | 16 | ANS | C | Authenticator of the digital signature. |
| 69–84 | Security Key Name | 16 | ANS | C | Name of the key used for the digital signature. |
| 85 | Clipping Origin | 1 | NB | C | Corner the clipping coordinates are measured from (0 = no clipping). |
| 86–89 | Clipping Coordinate h1 | 4 | N | C | Horizontal start of the clipped area, in pixels. |
| 90–93 | Clipping Coordinate h2 | 4 | N | C | Horizontal end of the clipped area, in pixels. |
| 94–97 | Clipping Coordinate v1 | 4 | N | C | Vertical start of the clipped area, in pixels. |
| 98–101 | Clipping Coordinate v2 | 4 | N | C | Vertical end of the clipped area, in pixels. |
| 102–105 | Length of Image Reference Key | 4 | NB | C | Number of bytes (X) in the Image Reference Key. |
| 106–105+X | Image Reference Key | X | ANS | C | Key the creator uses to locate the image. Its length, X, is the value of field 14 (Length of Image Reference Key). |
| 106+X–110+X | Length of Digital Signature | 5 | NB | C | Number of bytes (Y) in the digital signature. |
| 111+X–110+X+Y | Digital Signature | Y | Binary | C | Digital signature over the protected image data (binary). Its length, Y, is the value of field 16 (Length of Digital Signature). |
| 111+X+Y–117+X+Y | Length of Image Data | 7 | NB | C | Number of bytes (Z) of image data. |
| 118+X+Y–117+X+Y+Z | Image Data | Z | Binary | C | The image view (binary; TIFF Group 4 unless agreed otherwise). Its length, Z, is the value of field 18 (Length of Image Data). |
54 Image View Analysis Record
Image quality and usability test results for the preceding image view. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "54". |
| 3 | Global Image Quality | 1 | N | M | Whether the image was tested for image quality conditions, and whether any were reported. Global Image Quality codes |
| 4 | Global Image Usability | 1 | N | M | Whether the image was tested for image usability conditions, and whether any were reported. Global Image Usability codes |
| 5 | Imaging Bank Specific Test | 1 | N | M | Whether the imaging bank ran tests of its own; their results are reported in the User Field. Imaging Bank Specific Test codes |
| 6 | Partial Image | 1 | N | C | Part of the item is missing from the image. Image quality tests codes |
| 7 | Excessive Image Skew | 1 | N | C | The image is skewed beyond the agreed limit. Image quality tests codes |
| 8 | Piggyback Image | 1 | N | C | Another item overlaps the image. Image quality tests codes |
| 9 | Too Light or Too Dark | 1 | N | C | The image is too light or too dark. Image quality tests codes |
| 10 | Streaks and/or Bands | 1 | N | C | The image has streaks or bands. Image quality tests codes |
| 11 | Below Minimum Image Size | 1 | N | C | The image is smaller than the agreed minimum. Image quality tests codes |
| 12 | Exceeds Maximum Image Size | 1 | N | C | The image is larger than the agreed maximum. Image quality tests codes |
| 13–25 | Reserved | 13 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| 26 | Image-Enabled POD | 1 | N | C | Whether the image was used in an image-enabled proof of deposit (POD) application. Image-Enabled POD codes |
| 27 | Source Document Bad | 1 | N | C | For an unusable image, whether the source document is unusable too. Source Document Bad codes |
| 28 | Date Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the date on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 29 | Payee Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the payee name on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 30 | Convenience Amount Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the numeric (convenience) amount on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 31 | Legal Amount Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the written (legal) amount on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 32 | Signature(s) Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the signature on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 33 | Payor Name and Address Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the payor name and address on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 34 | MICR Line Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the MICR line on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 35 | Memo Line Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the memo line on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 36 | Payor Bank Name and Address Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the payor bank name and address on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 37 | Payee Endorsement Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the payee endorsement on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 38 | BOFD Endorsement Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the BOFD endorsement on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 39 | Transit Endorsement Usability | 1 | N | C | Whether the transit endorsement on the image can be used. Image usability tests codes |
| 40–45 | Reserved | 6 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| 46–65 | User Field | 20 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 66–80 | Reserved | 15 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
61 Credit Reconciliation Record
A credit for the deposit, within a cash letter or bundle. 80 bytes. Bank-defined (not in DSTU X9.37-2003; X9.100-180 defines one).
Type 61 is not a DSTU X9.37-2003 record, and its layout is set by the bank or clearing arrangement. Fields follow a common 80-byte credit layout; a record with a Record Usage Indicator of 5 at position 3, which moves every later field one byte to the right, is read with that layout instead. Check your exchange partner’s specification.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "61". |
| 3–17 | Auxiliary On-Us | 15 | NBSM | C | MICR Auxiliary On-Us field of the credit. |
| 18 | External Processing Code | 1 | NS | C | MICR position 44. |
| 19–27 | Posting Bank Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the bank that posts the credit. |
| 28–47 | On-Us | 20 | NBSMOS | C | MICR On-Us field of the credit: the account to credit. |
| 48–57 | Item Amount | 10 | N | M | Amount of the credit in cents. |
| 58–72 | ECE Institution Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | C | Sequence number assigned by the institution that created the record. |
| 73 | Documentation Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether an image and/or paper accompanies the credit. Documentation Type Indicator codes |
| 74 | Type of Account Code | 1 | AN | C | Kind of account being credited. |
| 75 | Source of Work Code | 1 | AN | C | Where the deposited work came from. |
| 76 | Work Type | 1 | AN | C | Kind of work the credit covers. |
| 77 | Debit Credit Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether the record is a credit or a debit adjustment. |
| 78–80 | Reserved | 3 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Record Usage Indicator | 1 | AN | M | How the record is used: 5 marks a credit/reconciliation record. Its presence means the record follows the layout with this indicator at position 3. |
| 4–18 | Auxiliary On-Us | 15 | NBSM | C | MICR Auxiliary On-Us field of the credit. |
| 19 | External Processing Code | 1 | NS | C | MICR position 44. |
| 20–28 | Posting Bank Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the bank that posts the credit. |
| 29–48 | On-Us | 20 | NBSMOS | M | MICR On-Us field of the credit: the account to credit. |
| 49–58 | Item Amount | 10 | N | M | Amount of the credit in cents. |
| 59–73 | Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | M | Sequence number that identifies the credit in the cash letter. |
| 74 | Documentation Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether an image and/or paper accompanies the credit. Documentation Type Indicator codes |
| 75 | Type of Account Code | 1 | AN | C | Kind of account being credited. |
| 76–77 | Source of Work Code | 2 | AN | C | Where the deposited work came from. |
62 Credit Record
A credit for the deposit, with a 14-digit amount. 100 bytes. Defined in X9.100-187-2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "62". |
| 3–17 | Auxiliary On-Us | 15 | NBSM | C | MICR Auxiliary On-Us field of the credit. |
| 18 | External Processing Code | 1 | NS | C | MICR position 44. |
| 19–27 | Posting Bank Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number of the bank that posts the credit. |
| 28–47 | On-Us | 20 | NBSMOS | C | MICR On-Us field of the credit: the account to credit. |
| 48–61 | Item Amount | 14 | N | M | Amount of the credit in cents. |
| 62–76 | Credit Item Sequence Number | 15 | NB | C | Sequence number of the credit. |
| 77 | Documentation Type Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Whether an image and/or paper accompanies the credit. Documentation Type Indicator codes |
| 78 | Type of Account Code | 1 | AN | C | Kind of account being credited. |
| 79–80 | Source of Work Code | 2 | N | C | Where the deposited work came from (21-50 are user defined). |
| 81–96 | User Field | 16 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 97–100 | Reserved | 4 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
68 User Record
Data defined by the record owner: the general format, or format 001 for a payee endorsement. Variable length. Defined in X9.100-187-2013/2016 (2008 not verified).
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "68". |
| 3 | Owner Identifier Indicator | 1 | AN | M | How the record owner is identified (e.g. by routing number). |
| 4–12 | Owner Identifier | 9 | ANS | C | Identifier of the record owner. |
| 13–32 | Owner Identifier Modifier | 20 | ANS | C | Qualifies the owner identifier. |
| 33–35 | User Record Format Type | 3 | AN | M | Format of the user data (001 = payee endorsement). |
| 36–38 | Format Type Version Level | 3 | N | M | Version of the user record format. |
| 39–45 | Length of User Data | 7 | N | M | Number of bytes of user data that follow. |
| 46–45+X | User Data | X | ANS | M | Data defined by the record owner. Its length, X, is the value of field 7 (Length of User Data). |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46–95 | Name of Payee | 50 | ANS | C | Name of the payee who endorsed the item. |
| 96–103 | Endorsement Date | 8 | NB | C | Date of the endorsement (YYYYMMDD). |
| 104–112 | Bank Routing Number | 9 | N | C | Routing number of the bank the item was deposited to. |
| 113–132 | Bank Account Number | 20 | ANS | C | Account the item was deposited to. |
| 133–152 | Customer Identifier | 20 | ANS | C | Identifier of the depositing customer. |
| 153–202 | Customer Contact Information | 50 | ANS | C | Contact information of the depositing customer. |
| 203–210 | Store / Merchant / Processing Site Number | 8 | ANS | C | Where the item was captured. |
| 211–235 | Internal Control / Sequence Number | 25 | ANS | C | Capture site control or sequence number. |
| 236–239 | Time | 4 | N | C | Time of the endorsement (hhmm). |
| 240–269 | Operator Name / Initials | 30 | ANS | C | Operator who captured the item. |
| 270–274 | Operator Number | 5 | ANS | C | Number of the operator. |
| 275–304 | Manager / Supervisor Name / Initials | 30 | ANS | C | Approving manager or supervisor. |
| 305–309 | Manager / Supervisor Number | 5 | ANS | C | Number of the manager or supervisor. |
| 310–324 | Equipment Number | 15 | ANS | C | Capture device identifier. |
| 325 | Endorsement Indicator | 1 | AN | C | Kind of endorsement. |
| 326–335 | User Field | 10 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
70 Bundle Control Record
Closes a bundle with its item count, total amount, MICR-valid amount and image count. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "70". |
| 3–6 | Items Within Bundle Count | 4 | N | M | Number of Check Detail (25) or Return (31) records in the bundle. |
| 7–18 | Bundle Total Amount | 12 | N | M | Sum of the item amounts in the bundle, in cents. |
| 19–30 | MICR Valid Total Amount | 12 | N | C | Sum of the amounts of checks in the bundle whose MICR Valid Indicator is 1, in cents. |
| 31–35 | Images Within Bundle Count | 5 | N | M | Number of Image View Detail (50) records in the bundle. |
| 36–55 | User Field | 20 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 56 | Credit Total Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether credit records (61/62) are included in the totals. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 57–80 | Reserved | 24 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56–80 | Reserved | 25 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
75 Box Summary Record
Totals for a box of bundles: destination, bundle count and box total. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "75". |
| 3–11 | Destination Routing Number | 9 | N | M | Routing number the box is sent to. |
| 12–14 | Box Sequence Number | 3 | N | M | Order of the box. |
| 15–18 | Box Bundle Count | 4 | N | M | Number of bundles in the box. |
| 19–26 | Box Number ID | 8 | AN | M | Identifier of the box. |
| 27–40 | Box Total Amount | 14 | N | M | Sum of the item amounts in the box, in cents. |
| 41–80 | Reserved | 40 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
85 Routing Number Summary Record
Item count and amount totals for one routing number within the cash letter. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "85". |
| 3–11 | Routing Number Within Cash Letter | 9 | N | M | Routing number the totals are for. |
| 12–25 | Routing Number Total Amount | 14 | N | M | Sum of the amounts of the items for this routing number, in cents. |
| 26–31 | Routing Number Item Count | 6 | N | M | Number of items for this routing number. |
| 32–55 | User Field | 24 | ANS | C | For use at the discretion of the institution creating the record. |
| 56–80 | Reserved | 25 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
90 Cash Letter Control Record
Closes a cash letter with its bundle, item and image counts, total amount, ECE institution name and settlement date. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "90". |
| 3–8 | Bundle Count | 6 | N | M | Number of bundles in the cash letter. |
| 9–16 | Items Within Cash Letter Count | 8 | N | M | Number of Check Detail (25) or Return (31) records in the cash letter. |
| 17–30 | Cash Letter Total Amount | 14 | N | M | Sum of the item amounts in the cash letter, in cents. |
| 31–39 | Images Within Cash Letter Count | 9 | N | M | Number of Image View Detail (50) records in the cash letter. |
| 40–57 | ECE Institution Name | 18 | ANS | C | Name of the institution that created the cash letter. |
| 58–65 | Settlement Date | 8 | N | C | Date the cash letter settles (YYYYMMDD). |
| 66 | Credit Total Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether credit records (61/62) are included in the totals. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 67–80 | Reserved | 14 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66–80 | Reserved | 15 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
99 File Control Record
Closes the file with its cash letter, record and item counts and the file total amount. 80 bytes. Defined in DSTU X9.37-2003, X9.100-187-2008/2013/2016.
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Record Type | 2 | N | M | Always "99". |
| 3–8 | Cash Letter Count | 6 | N | M | Number of cash letters in the file. |
| 9–16 | Total Record Count | 8 | N | M | Number of records of every type in the file, including the File Header and File Control. |
| 17–24 | Total Item Count | 8 | N | M | Number of Check Detail (25) and Return (31) records in the file. |
| 25–40 | File Total Amount | 16 | N | M | Sum of the item amounts in the file, in cents. |
| 41–54 | Immediate Origin Contact Name | 14 | ANS | C | Contact at the institution that sent the file. |
| 55–64 | Immediate Origin Contact Phone Number | 10 | N | C | Phone number of the contact. |
| 65 | Credit Total Indicator | 1 | N | C | Whether credit records (61/62) are included in the totals. Added in X9.100-187-2008; Reserved in DSTU X9.37-2003. |
| 66–80 | Reserved | 15 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
| Position | Field | Length | Type | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65–80 | Reserved | 16 | B | M | Reserved for future use; blank. |
Code tables
The values of the main coded fields, as the X9 Viewer decodes them. These tables were checked against the Federal Reserve’s DSTU X9.37-2003 documentation and other public sources; coded fields without a table here take values your exchange partner’s specification lists.
Standard Level
Used in 01 field 2.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 03 | DSTU X9.37-2003 |
| 30 | X9.100-187-2008 |
| 35 | X9.100-187-2013 or later |
Collection Type Indicator
Used in 10 field 2, 20 field 2.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 00 | Preliminary forward information |
| 01 | Forward presentment |
| 02 | Forward presentment, same-day settlement |
| 03 | Return |
| 04 | Return notification |
| 05 | Preliminary return notification |
| 06 | Final return notification |
| 20 | No detail |
| 99 | Bundles not the same collection type |
Cash Letter Record Type Indicator
Used in 10 field 8.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| N | No electronic check records or image records |
| E | Electronic check records, no image records |
| I | Electronic check records and image records |
| F | Image records for a previously sent electronic (E) cash letter |
Documentation Type Indicator
Used in 10 field 9, 25 field 9, 31 field 8, 61 field 8, 61 field 9, 62 field 8.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | No image provided, paper provided separately |
| B | No image provided, paper provided separately, image upon request |
| C | Image provided separately, no paper provided |
| D | Image provided separately, no paper provided, image upon request |
| E | Image and paper provided separately |
| F | Image and paper provided separately, image upon request |
| G | Image included, no paper provided |
| H | Image included, no paper provided, image upon request |
| I | Image included, paper provided separately |
| J | Image included, paper provided separately, image upon request |
| K | No image provided, no paper provided |
| L | No image provided, no paper provided, image upon request |
| M | No image provided, electronic check provided separately |
| Z | Not the same type (see each item) |
MICR Valid Indicator
Used in 25 field 11.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Good read |
| 2 | Good read, missing field |
| 3 | Read error encountered |
| 4 | Missing field and read error encountered |
BOFD Indicator
Used in 25 field 12.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Y | ECE institution is the BOFD |
| N | ECE institution is not the BOFD |
| U | Unknown |
Correction Indicator
Used in 25 field 14, 26 field 11, 28 field 8, 32 field 11, 35 field 8.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No repair |
| 1 | Repaired (form of repair unknown) |
| 2 | Repaired without operator intervention |
| 3 | Repaired with operator intervention |
| 4 | Undetermined whether repaired |
The BOFD Correction Indicator of a Return Addendum A (32) may also be 5 (BOFD routing number repaired by the Federal Reserve).
Archive Type Indicator
Used in 25 field 15, 31 field 13.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Microfilm |
| B | Image |
| C | Paper |
| D | Microfilm and image |
| E | Microfilm and paper |
| F | Image and paper |
| G | Microfilm, image and paper |
| H | Electronic check instrument |
| I | None |
Conversion Indicator
Used in 26 field 10, 28 field 7, 32 field 10, 35 field 7.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Did not convert physical document |
| 1 | Original paper converted to IRD |
| 2 | Original paper converted to image |
| 3 | IRD converted to another IRD |
| 4 | IRD converted to image of IRD |
| 5 | Image converted to an IRD |
| 6 | Image converted to another image (e.g. transcoded) |
| 7 | Did not convert image (same as source) |
| 8 | Undetermined |
Return Reason
Used in 28 field 9, 31 field 6, 35 field 9.
Meanings as listed in X9.100-187-2008. From the 2016 edition on, return reasons are defined in ANSI X9.100-188 (current edition 2023), which separates customer and administrative reasons and may list other codes; check them against your exchange partner’s list. The current edition of X9.100-188 is a free download from ANSI (opens in a new tab).
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | NSF: not sufficient funds |
| B | UCF: uncollected funds hold |
| C | Stop payment |
| D | Closed account |
| E | UTLA: unable to locate account |
| F | Frozen / blocked account |
| G | Stale dated |
| H | Post dated |
| I | Endorsement missing |
| J | Endorsement irregular |
| K | Signature(s) missing |
| L | Signature(s) irregular, suspected forgery |
| M | Non-cash item (non-negotiable) |
| N | Altered / fictitious item, suspected counterfeit |
| O | Unable to process (e.g. mutilated item) |
| P | Item exceeds stated maximum value |
| Q | Not authorized |
| R | Branch / account sold (wrong bank) |
| S | Refer to maker |
| T | Item cannot be re-presented |
| U | Unusable image |
| V | Image fails security check |
| W | Cannot determine amount |
| X | Refer to image |
| Y | Duplicate presentment |
| Z | Forgery |
| 1 | Warranty breach |
| 2 | RCC warranty breach |
| 3 | Forged and counterfeit warranty breach |
| 4 | Retired / ineligible routing number |
In DSTU X9.37-2003 files, T is “Stop payment suspect” rather than “Item cannot be re-presented”.
Image Indicator
Used in 50 field 2.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Image view not present |
| 1 | Image view present, actual check |
| 2 | Image view present, not an actual check (e.g. IRD or carrier document) |
| 3 | Image view present, cannot determine whether it is an actual check |
Image View Format Indicator
Used in 50 field 5.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 00 | TIFF 6 |
| 01 | IOCA FS 11 |
| 20 | PNG |
| 21 | JFIF (JPEG) |
| 22 | SPIFF |
| 23 | JBIG data stream |
| 24 | JPEG 2000 |
Image View Compression Algorithm Identifier
Used in 50 field 6.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 00 | Group 4 facsimile (CCITT T.6) |
| 01 | JPEG baseline |
| 02 | ABIC |
| 21 | PNG |
| 22 | JBIG |
| 23 | JPEG 2000 |
Digital Signature Method
Used in 50 field 11.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 00 | DSA with SHA-1 |
| 01 | RSA with MD5 |
| 02 | RSA with MDC2 |
| 03 | RSA with SHA-1 |
| 04 | ECDSA with SHA-1 |
Global Image Quality
Used in 54 field 2.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Not tested for image quality conditions |
| 1 | Tested; one or more image quality conditions reported |
| 2 | Tested; no image quality conditions reported |
Global Image Usability
Used in 54 field 3.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Not tested for image usability conditions |
| 1 | Tested; one or more image usability conditions reported |
| 2 | Tested; no image usability conditions reported |
Imaging Bank Specific Test
Used in 54 field 4.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No user-defined tests |
| 1 | Other conditions tested; one or more reported in the User Field |
| 2 | Other conditions tested; none reported in the User Field |
Image quality tests
Used in 54 field 5, 54 field 6, 54 field 7, 54 field 8, 54 field 9, 54 field 10, 54 field 11.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Condition not tested |
| 1 | Condition present |
| 2 | Condition not present |
Image usability tests
Used in 54 field 27, 54 field 28, 54 field 29, 54 field 30, 54 field 31, 54 field 32, 54 field 33, 54 field 34, 54 field 35, 54 field 36, 54 field 37, 54 field 38.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Not tested |
| 1 | Unusable |
| 2 | Usable |
Image-Enabled POD
Used in 54 field 25.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Unknown whether the image was used for image-enabled POD |
| 1 | Image not used for image-enabled POD |
| 2 | Image used for image-enabled POD |
Source Document Bad
Used in 54 field 26.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Not tested |
| 1 | Image unusable; source document unusable |
| 2 | Image unusable; source document may be usable |
Validation checks
The 64 checks the X9 Viewer runs, with the code it shows for each: E for an error, W for a warning and I for information, then the check’s number. An error breaks a rule of the format, such as a total that does not match; a warning points to something a receiver may reject or that looks wrong, though the file still reads; info is worth knowing. Some checks are reported at more than one severity, depending on the field.
Framing
Whether the bytes split into records at all (codes 1 to 6).
Empty file
ErrorE001The file has no bytes.
Not an X9 file
ErrorE002The file does not start with an X9 File Header (type 01) in EBCDIC or ASCII, with or without length prefixes. The message says so when the file looks like a NACHA or BAI2 file, a PDF, an image or a ZIP archive.
X9 files start with a File Header (type 01), optionally after a 4-byte length.
File truncated
ErrorE003The last record needs more bytes than the file has left: the file was cut short, often in transfer.
The file was cut short in transfer; request it again.
Unreadable bytes
ErrorE004A length prefix or record type cannot be read. When a valid record turns up further on, reading resumes there; otherwise the rest of the file is not read.
A length prefix or record type is corrupt.
Bytes between records
ErrorE005Bytes between two records do not form a record and were skipped, such as block descriptors or damaged data.
Block descriptors or corruption between records.
Padding after the last record
InfoI006Filler follows the last record: zeros, blanks, line breaks or an end-of-file byte.
Record order and records
Whether every record sits where it belongs in the file, cash letter, bundle and item, and has the right length (codes 101 to 131).
File Header not first
ErrorE101The File Header (01) is not the first record.
Second File Header
ErrorE102A second File Header (01) appears in the file.
Two files may have been concatenated.
No File Header
ErrorE103The file has no File Header (01).
No File Control
ErrorE104The file has no File Control (99).
The file may be truncated.
Second File Control
ErrorE105A second File Control (99) appears in the file.
Records after File Control
ErrorE106Records follow the File Control (99).
Two files may have been concatenated.
Cash letter not closed
ErrorE107A cash letter has no Cash Letter Control (90) before the next Cash Letter Header, the File Control or the end of the file.
Each Cash Letter Header (10) needs a Cash Letter Control (90).
Bundle not closed
ErrorE108A bundle has no Bundle Control (70) before the next bundle, the cash letter’s control or the end of the file.
Each Bundle Header (20) needs a Bundle Control (70).
Bundle outside a cash letter
ErrorE109A Bundle Header (20) is not inside a cash letter.
Item outside a bundle
ErrorE110A Check Detail (25) or Return (31) is not inside a bundle.
Addendum without an item
ErrorE111An addendum record has no check or return before it.
Wrong addendum type
ErrorE112An addendum of the wrong family: a check (25) takes addenda 26, 27 and 28; a return (31) takes 32, 33, 34 and 35.
Checks take addenda 26/27/28; returns take 32/33/34/35.
Addendum after image records
WarningW113An addendum comes after the item’s image records. Addenda come first, then the image views.
Image view without an item
ErrorE114An Image View Detail (50) has no check, return or credit record before it.
Image View Data missing
ErrorE115An Image View Detail (50) is not followed by its Image View Data (52).
Every Image View Detail (50) is followed by an Image View Data (52).
Image View Data without detail
ErrorE116An Image View Data (52) has no Image View Detail (50) of its own before it.
Image View Analysis out of place
WarningW117An Image View Analysis (54) does not follow an Image View Data (52), or a view already has one.
Credit outside a cash letter
ErrorE118A credit record (61 or 62) is not inside a cash letter.
Bundle Control without header
ErrorE119A Bundle Control (70) has no open bundle to close.
Cash Letter Control without header
ErrorE120A Cash Letter Control (90) has no open cash letter to close.
Summary record outside a cash letter
ErrorE121A summary record (40, 41, 75 or 85) is not inside a cash letter.
Summary record inside a bundle
ErrorE122A summary record (40, 41, 75 or 85) sits inside a bundle; it belongs after the Bundle Control (70).
Unknown record type
WarningW130A record type that neither X9.100-187 nor DSTU X9.37-2003 defines. The record is kept as it is.
Wrong record length
ErrorWarningE131 / W131A record is not the length its type calls for: 80 bytes for most types, 100 for type 62, and what their own length fields say for 27, 34 and 68. It is a warning when the file has one record per line and the record is short, as when an export trims trailing blanks.
Fixed records are 80 bytes (type 62: 100); variable records follow their length fields.
Totals and counts
The controls compared with what the file holds (codes 201 to 215). Credit records (61 and 62) count toward item counts and amounts when the Credit Total Indicator is 1, not when it is 0; with a blank indicator or in a DSTU file, either reading is accepted.
Bundle item count
ErrorE201The Items Within Bundle Count (70) is not the number of checks or returns in the bundle.
Items Within Bundle Count (70) counts the 25/31 records of the bundle.
Bundle total amount
ErrorE202The Bundle Total Amount (70) is not the sum of the bundle’s item amounts.
Bundle Total Amount (70) is the sum of the item amounts in the bundle.
MICR valid total
WarningW203The MICR Valid Total Amount (70) is not the sum of the amounts of the checks whose MICR Valid Indicator is 1.
MICR Valid Total Amount (70) sums the checks whose MICR Valid Indicator is 1.
Bundle image count
ErrorE204The Images Within Bundle Count (70) is not the number of Image View Detail (50) records in the bundle.
Images Within Bundle Count (70) counts the Image View Detail (50) records.
Cash letter bundle count
ErrorE205The Bundle Count (90) is not the number of bundles in the cash letter.
Cash letter item count
ErrorE206The Items Within Cash Letter Count (90) is not the number of checks or returns in the cash letter.
Cash letter total amount
ErrorE207The Cash Letter Total Amount (90) is not the sum of the item amounts in the cash letter.
Cash letter image count
ErrorE208The Images Within Cash Letter Count (90) is not the number of Image View Detail (50) records in the cash letter.
File cash letter count
ErrorE209The Cash Letter Count (99) is not the number of cash letters in the file.
File record count
ErrorE210The Total Record Count (99) is not the number of records in the file, File Header and File Control included.
Total Record Count (99) includes the File Header and File Control.
File item count
ErrorE211The Total Item Count (99) is not the number of checks and returns in the file.
File total amount
ErrorE212The File Total Amount (99) is not the sum of the item amounts in the file.
Addendum count
ErrorE213The addendum count of a check (25) or return (31) is not the number of addendum records that follow it.
The 25/31 record states how many addenda follow it.
Addendum record numbers
WarningW214The record numbers of an item’s addenda (26, 28, 32 or 35) do not run 1, 2, 3 in order within their type.
Routing number summary
WarningW215A Routing Number Summary (85) does not match the count or total amount of the cash letter’s items for that routing number.
Image records
The Image View Detail and Image View Data records and the image bytes (codes 301 to 310).
Unreadable image length field
ErrorE301A length field of an Image View Data (52) record is not a number, so its image cannot be located.
Image data truncated
ErrorE302The Length of Image Data in a 52 promises more bytes than the record holds.
Length of Image Data says more bytes than the record holds.
Extra bytes after image data
WarningW303Bytes follow the image data inside a 52 record.
Image size differs from Image View Detail
WarningW304The Image View Data Size in a 50 differs from the Length of Image Data in its 52.
Image Indicator says no image
WarningW305A 50 says no image view is present (Image Indicator 0), yet its 52 carries image data.
Image view without image data
WarningW306A 50 says an image view is present, yet its 52 carries no image data.
Image format differs from its indicator
WarningW307The image bytes are in another format than the one the 50’s Image View Format Indicator names.
Unrecognised image format
WarningW308The image data is not TIFF, JPEG, PNG, GIF or JPEG 2000.
Item without images
WarningW309An item has no image views although its cash letter says it carries images (Cash Letter Record Type Indicator I or F).
The cash letter says it carries images (Record Type Indicator I or F).
Front or back image missing
WarningW310An item has image views, but no front or no back.
Fields and other checks
Field values in every record, plus the notes on MICR reads, test files and long issue lists (codes 401 to 501, and 900).
Mandatory field blank
ErrorE401A mandatory field is blank. The viewer checks a set of the standard’s mandatory fields: routing numbers, dates, amounts, counts and the main indicators.
Non-numeric value in a numeric field
ErrorWarningE402 / W402An amount, count, length or phone number holds something other than digits: an error in a field the viewer requires, a warning in others.
Invalid date
ErrorWarningE403 / W403A date is not a real YYYYMMDD date: an error in a field the viewer requires, a warning in others.
Dates are YYYYMMDD.
Invalid time
ErrorWarningE404 / W404A time is not a valid hhmm time on a 24-hour clock: an error in a field the viewer requires, a warning in others.
Times are hhmm on a 24-hour clock.
Invalid routing number
ErrorWarningE405 / W405A routing number fails the ABA check digit or is not nine digits, an error in a required field (every payor bank routing number is one) and a warning elsewhere; or it holds unreadable MICR characters (*) or starts with a prefix outside the Federal Reserve’s ranges, a warning.
ABA check digit: 3·d1 + 7·d2 + d3 + 3·d4 + 7·d5 + d6 + 3·d7 + 7·d8 + d9 is a multiple of 10.
Value not in the code list
WarningW406A coded field holds a value outside its list. Fields whose lists are open, such as return reasons from the 2008 edition on, are not checked this way.
MICR read problem reported
InfoI407A check’s MICR Valid Indicator reports a read problem: 2 (good read, missing field), 3 (read error) or 4 (both).
Test file
InfoI501The File Header marks the file as a test file (Test File Indicator T).
More issues not listed
InfoI900A rule found more than 1,000 issues of one severity. The first 1,000 are listed and the rest counted.
Sources
The layouts follow ANSI X9.100-187 (positions as the 2016 edition prints them) and the Federal Reserve’s documentation of DSTU X9.37-2003, and were checked against bank image cash letter specifications. ASC X9 publishes the standards through ANSI; the descriptions on this page are our own. Exchange partners agree on the details in their own specifications, so check the one that applies to your files.
NACHA Navigator is independent and not affiliated with ASC X9, ANSI or the Federal Reserve. This page is for information only and is not legal or compliance advice.