The unique mandate reference (UMR) is a required identification number that links a paying customer to a creditor, most often a company, for a direct debit mandate within SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area). The UMR code not only authenticates a SEPA Direct Debit authorization but also ensures the safety and traceability of this type of operation.

This article explains how France assigns unique mandate references for direct withdrawals, the importance of the UMR number, and where to find it to authorize debits securely.

What’s in this article?

• What is the unique mandate reference?
  
• What is the purpose of a UMR?
  
• When must a UMR code be sent?
  
• Where is a UMR located?
  
• Accept more payments with Stripe Payments
  

What is the unique mandate reference?

The unique mandate reference, or UMR, is a distinctive number that uniquely identifies a SEPA Direct Debit mandate between a creditor (a company) and a payor (a customer). The creditor assigns the UMR code to the payor when issuing the debit authorization.

The unique mandate reference must appear on the mandate before the first collection, alongside the SEPA creditor identifier, IBAN, BIC, and the creditor’s and payor’s contact details. Each UMR is specific to a single SEPA transfer issued by the billing party, and no two mandates share the same code.

What is the UMR format?

A UMR contains a maximum of 35 Latin script alphanumeric characters:

• Capital letters of the alphabet (A–Z)
  
• Numbers (0–9)
  
• Certain special characters (e.g., /-?:@.’+)
  
• Using spaces is not advised because their use might lead to rejection by a bank
  

The creditor decides which unique mandate reference to use, and it often corresponds to a contract or customer reference. The French Committee for Banking Organization and Standardization (CFONB) recommends avoiding the use of any personal data that could be considered sensitive in the UMR number. This information is at risk of being used for fraud or identity theft and includes bank account details, passport numbers, payment card numbers, etc.

Example of a unique mandate reference: AB01012025.12345678900

What is the purpose of a UMR?

A unique mandate reference enables clear recognition of a SEPA Direct Debit mandate and guarantees that each executed (one-time or recurring) transaction is authorized and corresponds to a particular mandate. This makes sure that withdrawals between creditors and payors are secure and traceable.

The UMR also ensures:

• The unique and specific identification of each authorized debit mandate within the SEPA zone, especially when it works together with a SEPA creditor identifier—a combination that helps resolve rejected payments and prevents any mix-up authorizations.
  
• The security of bank exchanges is assured because each transaction is legitimate and authorized by the payor. This makes it more difficult to create fake authorizations.
  
• Enhanced debit management. The UMR allows quick identification of a mandate and correction of information, or facilitation of repayment in the event of an error.
  
• The tracking of all related withdrawals executed within the banking system using the same code.
  

The unique mandate reference also allows the customer to apply an end date to the debit authorization at any time, provided they inform the creditor (by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt) and note the financial institution’s UMR number.

When must a UMR code be sent?

The creditor is required to send the UMR code to the payor before the first scheduled collection, and, in general, occurs when the SEPA Direct Debit mandate is signed or when the first SEPA prenotification takes place. A payor who has not received the UMR number must require the creditor to obtain it promptly.

The creditor also provides a unique mandate reference in other cases:

• For each notification of a recurring payment
  
• When debit instructions are transmitted to the payor’s bank
  
• When a mandate is modified, renewed, or canceled
  
• When there is a dispute or objection
  

Note: When a UMR is issued, it must comply with regulations regarding confidentiality and personal data protection to avoid fraud.

Where is a UMR located?

A UMR appears on multiple documents, including:

• Authorized debit mandates
  
• The paying customer’s bank statements (within their online banking platform)
  
• Notifications of SEPA debits
  
• The creditor’s invoices
  
• The creditor’s bank documents
  

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