Finding a company's CIK
In this guide, you'll learn what a CIK is, why it's useful, and how to find a company's CIK number.
What Is a CIK Number?
A Central Index Key (CIK) is a unique number assigned by the SEC to companies and other entities that submit filings through EDGAR.
Unlike a stock ticker, which may change over time, a CIK remains the same and serves as a permanent identifier for the filer.
Many investors and researchers use the CIK because it's the most accurate way to locate SEC filings. For a broader comparison, read our CIK vs. ticker symbol guide.
Search by Company Name
The easiest way to find a company's CIK is by searching for its name in the SEC's EDGAR database.
For example, searching for:
- Apple Inc.
- Microsoft Corporation
- NVIDIA Corporation
will display the company's filing page, where its CIK is listed.
Search by Stock Ticker
You can also search using a company's stock ticker.
For example:
- AAPL
- MSFT
- NVDA
- AMZN
Once you've found the correct company, its CIK will appear on the filing page.
Why Use a CIK?
A CIK offers several advantages over searching by company name.
It helps you:
- Find the correct company when names are similar
- Perform more accurate EDGAR searches
- Access a company's complete filing history
- Avoid confusion if a company changes its ticker symbol
For frequent SEC research, using the CIK can save time and improve search accuracy.
Where Is the CIK Displayed?
Once you've opened a company's page in the EDGAR database, you'll typically find the CIK displayed near the company name or within the company information section. For help navigating EDGAR, read our SEC EDGAR database guide.
After you've located it once, you can use the same CIK to quickly access that company's filings in future searches.
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