DIRECT ANSWER
Definition
An EDGAR accession number is the unique reference number generated for a submission to the SEC’s EDGAR system. It identifies the submission, not the filer; the filer is identified by a CIK.
At a glance
- System
- SEC EDGAR
- Identifies
- One submission
- Related filer ID
- CIK
- Example format
- 0001234567-26-000001
01
Why accession numbers matter
The accession number provides a stable key for a filing detail page, source documents, and amendments. In a holdings database, it is the record needed to trace a normalized row back to the exact Form 13F submission.
02
Do not confuse submission and filer identity
A CIK can have many accession numbers because a filer makes many submissions. A form type describes what was submitted, while the accession identifies the individual submission.
SRC
Primary sources
Definitions and regulatory claims on this page are grounded in the following official public resources.