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

# Object IDs

> How Nova identifies objects

Every object has an opaque ID made of a type prefix and a random-looking
suffix, e.g. `fa_5dr8SFDbv7rZ2aj4FQmLAfYw2bVx` for a financial account.

## Guarantees

* **Stable.** An object keeps its ID for life. Re-fetching, re-syncing or
  reconnecting never issues a new ID, so IDs are safe to store and use as
  deduplication keys.
* **Updated in place.** When an object changes, for example a transaction's
  `status`, it keeps its ID, and `updated_at` moves forward on objects that
  have it. A change never creates a new object.
* **Unique.** IDs are unique across all object types; the prefix tells you
  the type.
* **Opaque.** Do not parse the suffix or derive meaning from it. Compare IDs
  as exact, case-sensitive strings.

> [!NOTE]
>
> A [returned transaction](https://docs.nova.net/types/transaction.md#reversals-and-returns) keeps its
> ID and moves to `returned`. The money coming back is a separate transaction
> with its own ID, not an update to the original.

## Prefixes

| Prefix | Object |
| - | - |
| `org_` | Organization |
| `veh_` | Vehicle |
| `fa_` | [Financial account](https://docs.nova.net/types/financial-account.md) |
| `tx_` | [Transaction](https://docs.nova.net/types/transaction.md) |
| `txg_` | Transaction group, the [`source.id`](https://docs.nova.net/types/transaction#source) shared by every entry of one money movement |
| `dst_` | Distribution |
| `dpmt_` | Distribution payment |
| `dntf_` | Distribution notification |
| `ent_` | Entity |
| `cnt_` | Contact |
| `pmi_` | Payment instructions |
| `page_` | Pagination cursor |

New prefixes are added as new objects are exposed.

## Length

Each field documents its ID's length. Most IDs are a fixed length per type.
`tx_` IDs are 31 or 33 characters including the prefix, and `page_` cursors vary in length and are
only valid for the list they came from.


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