The SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System – EDGAR

Most documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), are required to be filed electronically using the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”). Additionally, public companies filing on EDGAR must tag their financial data using eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”). Filings required to be filed on the EDGAR database include Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8K, proxy statements, Forms 3, 4 and 5, Form D, Schedules 13D and 13G, all registration statements and most other SEC filings.

The exhibits accompanying these filings must also be filed on the SEC’s EDGAR database.

Required filings and exhibits must be provided in computer-readable format. The EDGAR system contains a complex system of rules regarding the format of the electronic submissions. To file documents on the EDGAR system, the issuer must obtain specific identifying codes and passwords that will allow it to make filings via EDGAR. These codes and passwords are obtained, usually within one or two days by electronically filing a short application called a Form ID. Information about obtaining EDGAR filer codes can be found on the SEC’s EDGAR filer management website at www.filermanagement.edgarfiling.sec.gov.

A substantial amount of work may be required to prepare a document and all exhibits for filing electronically.  Most public companies use an outside EDGAR filer.  Public companies must maintain a manually executed hard copy of every EDGAR filing for at least five years. All signatures must also be typed into all documents filed on the EDGAR system.

For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit www.securitieslawyer101.com.   This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute legal advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com