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Federal Election Commission | United States of America

Upload errors explained

Bad format messages


BADFORMAT Unrecognized header The header line of the submitted filing is not in the correct format. This applies to users of vendor software or filers who have created their own comma delimited format file.
BADFORMAT Filer ID not specified When submitting an amendment, no original Filing ID was specified. The original filing ID can be found by going to http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/efile_search.shtml

The ID must be from the original report, and not the latest amendment. It also must be entered exactly as it appears on the website (it is case sensitive).
BADFORMAT Filer Password not specified When submitting a filing, no password was submitted along with the filing, or the password was not in the correct format. The password must entered in the proper case, exactly as it was issued.
BADFORMAT Filer ID FEC-##### does not exist for C######## When submitting an amendment, the original filing ID could not be found for the committee. The original filing ID can be found by going to http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/efile_search.shtml

The ID must be from the original report, and not the latest amendment. It also must be entered exactly as it appears on the website (it is case sensitive).
BADFORMAT You must specify FilerFAX and/or FilerEmail When submitting a filing, and FAX and/or email are necessary for Processing.
BADFORMAT Invalid fax number (You must specify all 10 digits) When submitting a filing, the fax number must contain all 10 digits.
BADFORMAT Invalid Superseded specification Back Door When submitting an amendment, the original filing ID is not in the correct format FEC-#####.
BADFORMAT Filing did not pass validation When submitting a filing, the filing failed the validation routine and the results will be sent via email or fax.
BADFORMAT Invalid Superseded specification When submitting an amendment, the original filing ID is not in the correct format FEC-#####.
BADFORMAT Cannot find superseded filing When submitting an amendment, the original filing cannot be located in the system database.
BADFORMAT Filing to be amended is not a Form 2 When submitting an amendment for a Form 2, the original filing ID is not from Form 2.
BADFORMAT Filing to be amended does NOT belong to you When submitting an amendment, the original filing ID does not belong to the committee filing.
BADFORMAT Candidate ID H########/S#######P####### does not exist When submitting a filing for a Form 2, the Candidate ID number cannot be identified.

Error messages

ERROR: You can only file a Form 6!! The filing password assigned to the committee only allows the Committee to file Forms 6
ERROR Incorrect Date Length A date in the filing being submitted is in the incorrect format. The correct format is CCYYMMDD and can only be numeric values.
ERROR Non Numeric Value For Date A date in the filing being submitted is in the incorrect format. The correct format is CCYYMMDD and can only be numeric values.
ERROR Inconsistent report IDs The header line in the filing being submitted reflects a different filing ID than the filing sent/entered by the uploading utility.
ERROR: Password Is Not Valid For C######## The password being submitted is either not in the right case or is not valid for the committee.
ERROR Amended filing MUST amend the original filing NOT another amendment. When submitting an amendment, the original filing ID belongs to another amendment. An amendment must amend the original report.
ERROR Inconsistent report numbers. This filing is older than the last amendment The filing being sent has a sequence number lower than the last posted filing for this report. Usually this is a filing that should have an amendment number but is being sent as a new report.

General upload error messages

System Busy!! Please Try Again Later Or Contact The Electronic filing Office For Assistance When submitting a filing, the filing is rejected due to a high volume of filings. Please try again later.
System Busy Please try Again Later. If this problem persists Call Tech Support. When submitting a filing, the filing is rejected due to a high volume of filings. Please try again later.
Invalid FEC CSV Version Number!! Please Upgrade To The Most Current Version The filing is being submitted in an older file format version that is no longer acceptable for filing electronically. Please upgrade to the most current version by contacting the software vendor.
INVALID Header The header line of the submitted filing is not in the correct format. This applies to users of vendor software or filers who have created their own comma delimited format file.
FILING ALREADY POSTED!!! Filing FEC-%d has the same MD5 total. The filing being submitted has already been uploaded and posted. They are exact duplicates.
Submitting and Filer Committee ID's Inconsistent The Committee ID in the upload routine and the ID in the file itself are not the same.
MD5 Not working correctly Aborting Upload (Please contact Electronic Filing Office) Internal error; Please contact the Electronic Filing Office.
Filing Failed Validation When submitting a filing, the filing failed the validation routine and the results will be sent via email or fax.
Filing Accepted and Is Being Processed The filing submitted has been accepted and is being processed. A confirmation email/fax should be sent shortly thereafter.
Filing Accepted For Processing The filing submitted has been accepted and is being processed. If you do not receive a receipt call the Electronic Filing Office.
Filing Accepted and Is FEC-##### The filing submitted has been accepted and processed. The Filing ID receipt is FEC-#####.
You Can NOT Amend a NEW report! The filing being submitted reflects in the header line that it is a new report, but also contains an original Filing ID in the 'Original amendment Filing ID' field. Please contact the Electronic Filing Office.
You must enter the report you are amending!! The filing being submitted reflects in the header line that it is an amendment, but does not contain a Filing ID in the 'Original amendment Filing ID'.
Back Door System Busy Please try Again Later. If this problem persists Call Tech Support The back door routine is run prior to the validation routine and is too busy to accept filings at this time. Please try again later.

Need help?

Get help from the FEC by phone or email

This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.