Understanding Organization IDs {#boarding-intro-ids}
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Organizations relate to each other using IDs. Every organization is assigned an organization ID. When an organization has a subordinate, it is assigned a child ID that identifies the subordinate. The subordinate is assigned a parent ID that identifies the parent organization. Organization IDs must be unique, not just within the portfolio or account, but across the system.  
In the illustration below, merchant's ID is `Merchant Account 1`. The merchant's child IDs are `Transacting MID1` and `Transacting MID2`. The merchant's parent ID is `Portfolio`.

#### Figure: {#boarding-intro-ids_fig_ut4_p5f_q5b}

Understanding Organization IDs ![](/content/dam/new-documentation/documentation/en-us/topics/platform/bam/boarding-user/images/create-merchant-account-new-transacting.svg/jcr:content/renditions/original)