> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lead.bank/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Application File Validations

> Validating application files.

<Warning>
  **Legacy schema — superseded by the Applications API.** New programs integrate via the [Applications API](/products/applications/overview). This schema remains the supported path for file-integrated programs that have not yet migrated.
</Warning>

Beyond the standard required and optional field checks and data type validations, Lead performs additional validations.

<Info>
  The below list is non-exhaustive — we aim to be thoughtful and robust in validations that ensure high data quality to enable us to provide effective oversight.
</Info>

## Enforced Today

| **Validation**                                                                | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Missing Decision Reason                                                       | Status is `approved`, `declined`, or `canceled` without `decision_reason` field also populated.                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Missing Adverse Action Notice                                                 | Adverse action notices are required if `status = declined`.                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Missing Credit Score Detail                                                   | When you provide credit bureau data, include `credit_pulled_at`, `credit_report_source`, and exactly one of `credit_score` or `credit_report_non_score_value`. Provide all applicable fields or none.                                                              |
| Invalid Entity Reference on Terminal Application                              | References to Account holders, Authorized Signers, and Authorized Users by `client_customer_id` or `entity_id` must refer to entities that have already been submitted to Lead if the application is in a [terminal state ](/file-reference/application/statuses). |
| May Not Change Terminal Application                                           | Updates may not be made to applications in a [terminal state](/file-reference/application/statuses).                                                                                                                                                               |
| Entity Role Mismatch For Approved Application                                 | If the application is approved, role requirements for each entity must meet account holder / authorized signer / authorized user corresponding role requirements.                                                                                                  |
| Previous Application Has `effective_at` >= current application `effective_at` | On Application Update, effective at must be greater than the previous instance of this record.                                                                                                                                                                     |

## Future Enforcements

<Warning>
  Lead expects partners to comply with the below validations; however we do not currently enforce them upon daily processing. We will provide you with 60 days notice before enforcing the following validations.
</Warning>

| **Validation**                              | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Invalid Namespace                           | `client_application_id` cannot start with `application_`                                                                                                                                           |
| Invalid Entities on Application             | Account holders, Authorized Signers, and Authorized Users must have valid `entity_id` or `client_customer_id` if the application is in any [terminal state](/file-reference/application/statuses). |
| Credit Limit Cannot Exceed Max Credit Limit | `credit_limit <= max_credit_limit` if both are provided                                                                                                                                            |
| Missing Adverse Action Notice Detail        | If status is in a [terminal state](/file-reference/application/statuses), either all three adverse action fields are provided or none are `(aan_delivered_at, aan_reason, aan_delivery_method)`.   |
| Invalid Application status transition       | Updates to nonterminal applications must comply with valid [status transitions](/file-reference/application/statuses).                                                                             |