How to Obtain Company SEC Filings

You can get free information on any public company by using an online database provided by the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC requires public companies to prepare comprehensive filings, reporting all information related to the company's position and solvency. You can search for the filings of a particular company by using the following guidelines.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Determine the particular kind of information you need. Company SEC filings report current contact information, year to date revenue and recent corporate events. Access the SEC's Internet homepage. Choose the link for "SEC Forms List" (see Resources below).
2. Locate the form containing the desired information and return to the SEC homepage. Click on, "Search for Company Filings." If you need a particular company's filings, choose the link for "Companies and Other Filers." Select "Latest Filings" for the most recent filings.
3. Enter the company's name and main location on the "Companies and Other Filers" page. Press "Find Companies." Review the search results for the correct company. Click on the "CIK" number next to the company's name to review all of the company's SEC filings.
4. Limit the search results by typing in the specific form desired in the field for "Form Type." Include the date of the filing or a range of dates if known. Choose either the option for "Retrieve Selected Filings" or "Retrieve All Filings."
5. Print out any SEC filing listed by choosing either "html" or "text." Alternatively, download the filings to a computer hard drive or disk.