NACHA File Header Specifications

File Header Overview

The File Header is the top line of a NACHA file and must be exactly 94 characters long.

Each segment of the file header is positioned with specific character limits:

Label	Field	Characters	Description
A	NACHA Record & Priority Codes	3	Automatically generated by system
B	Routing Number	10	Use "000000000" or "0-00000000"
C	NACHA ID	10	Institution-specific
D	File Creation Date	6	Format: YYMMDD
E	Misc Fields 1	11	Reserved/blank
F	Financial Institution Name	23	Institution's name
G	Business Name	23	Company name
H	Blank Fields	8	Padding

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Batch Header Overview

The Batch Header is the second line in the file and is also 94 characters long.

Label	Field	Characters	Description
I	Record Type + Service Class	4	Typically "5220"
J	Business Name	16	Shorter version
K	Misc Fields 2	20	Typically blank
L	NACHA ID	10	Same as above
M	SEC Code + Batch Description	13	Example: "PPDPay_____"
N	Effective Date	12	Format: YYYYMMDD
O	Julian Date + Routing + Batch	19	1-digit year + Julian day + routing + batch number

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Special Notes

• Each payee in the file must have a unique sequential transaction identifier.
• Some systems insert "99999" lines at the end of the file. These are optional and not required by NACHA specifications.
• You may use files with or without the "99999" padding.

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Examples

Below are valid examples of NACHA file structures:

1. Example without "99999" padding
2. Example with "99999" lines (used by some software for spacing or formatting)

Both formats are acceptable as long as the header specifications are strictly followed.