Frequently Asked Questions
EDGAR, iXBRL, and SEC filing basics—answered.
EDGAR, which stands for Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval, is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) online database. EDGAR performs automated collection, validation, indexing, acceptance, and forwarding of submissions by companies and others who are required by law to file forms with the SEC.
To get EDGAR access, an authorized person logs in to the EDGAR Filer Management website with Login.gov credentials and completes Form ID. The form names the account administrators who will manage the filer’s EDGAR account (one for individuals and single-member companies, two for all other filers), and a notarized authenticating document is uploaded as a PDF.
The SEC’s Form ID instructions walk through each step. We’re also happy to guide you through it or handle it for you—just contact us.
Reporting requirements vary greatly for different issuers, funds, and entities. A good filing agent will help you navigate those requirements so you remain compliant.
For a full list of form types and what each one is for, see the SEC’s Index to EDGAR Forms.
iXBRL stands for Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language. It embeds machine-readable data tags directly in a filing’s HTML, so the same document is readable by people and by software.
For more detail, see the SEC’s Inline XBRL page.
Under EDGAR Next, filings are submitted by individuals whom the filer’s account administrators have authorized on the EDGAR Filer Management dashboard. A company’s officers, directors, or counsel typically approve the content of a filing.
If you would like us to file on your behalf, we can help you set us up as your filing agent. Please contact us.
Yes. Filing fees are paid directly to the SEC by Fedwire, ACH, or credit/debit card, using your CIK. Checks and money orders are no longer accepted for filing fees.
See SEC Payment Options for instructions.
