The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) has reached out to the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization to provide an update on the proposed transition to the NAUPA III format. In its update, NAUPA advises that the transition will now be accomplished in phases starting in the Spring of 2027. The full text of the outreach is as follows:
While we initially targeted a Fall 2026 start, we have listened closely to your feedback regarding the scale of the proposed changes. We recognize that moving to an XML file format while simultaneously adopting a massive overhaul of property codes presents a significant technical and operational challenge. To ensure a smoother transition for holders, state vendors, and software providers, we are shifting to a two-phase rollout.
Phase 1: Spring 2027
The first phase focuses on the transition to the XML infrastructure without the immediate pressure of a completely new code set.
· Format: Reporting will move to the XML format, utilize new validation tools, and allows for a more robust reporting structure, including many new fields and descriptions, to streamline the claims process for owners.
· Code Structure: We will maintain the traditional NAUPA II property code elements with a few essential “tweaks” – specifically to accommodate essential new property codes.
· Goal: This phase is designed as a manageable “test run,” allowing all parties to learn the complexities of XML reporting and validation before the full schema is implemented.
Phase 2: TBD
The second phase will introduce more comprehensive property code restructuring. Our focus for this phase is to keep codes as similar to the current format as possible while ensuring the new standard meets modern reporting needs.
· Enhanced Compatibility: Building on previous drafts, this phase will introduce a new property code listing with updated descriptions.
· Cross-walk Guide: To simplify the transition, we will provide an inclusive cross-walk guide mapping old codes to new ones.
We believe this phased approach balances the need for modernization with the practical realities of the reporting environment. Please review the attached document and changelog to review the most current file format. We are working to update the Github xml/xsd to match, but there may be inconsistencies we will address.
The NAUPA Uniformity Committee is hosting a meeting that is open to the public on May 27th at 2pm ET to review this new format and answer questions. Sovos will continue to provide updates as the information becomes available.
