Understand and Utilize EDGAR CIKs, Passphrases, and Access Codes

Oct. 5, 2023

Reminder: Enroll in EDGAR Next—As of the compliance date for EDGAR Next, September 15, 2025, individual account credentials from Login.gov will be required to access all EDGAR filing websites, and individuals will need permission to file.

  • The legacy EDGAR filing process will be discontinued.
  • The password, passphrase and PMAC will no longer be used to access or file on EDGAR. (The passphrase will continue to be required for enrollment, however, until December 19, 2025.)
  • After December 19, 2025, the CIK will remain a filer’s unique identifier and the CCC will persist as a code required to file on EDGAR.

Filers should enroll in EDGAR Next no later than September 12, 2025, to avoid interruption in the ability to file. Filers can continue to enroll between September 15, 2025 and December 19, 2025, but they will not be able to file during that time period until they enroll.

A passphrase or CCC created on or before September 2019 is not considered current and will not be accepted for enrollment. If you would like to update those codes, see How Do I Update the Passphrase and CCC to Enroll (And Avoid the Need to Submit Form ID). Filers may update their access codes to ensure that they are current prior to enrollment.

Please see the EDGAR Next page on SEC.gov and the Commission’s adopting release, EDGAR Filer Access and Account Management, Release No. 33-11313 (Sept. 27, 2024), for more information.

SEC staff do not have the filer’s CCC, password, passphrase or password modification authorization code (PMAC) on file.

If lost or forgotten, filers must generate replacement codes through the EDGAR system, following the instructions referenced in this guidance.

Please do not include access codes in emails to staff.

Jump to sections:

CIK

  • Unique number that EDGAR assigns to identify each filer account.
  • Publicly available.
  • Permanent identifier—may not be changed and never expires. Will not change as a result of EDGAR Next.
  • Assigned regardless of whether filings are made electronically on EDGAR or submitted to the SEC in paper.
  • Used with CCC to file on EDGAR and will continue to be used to file under EDGAR Next.
  • If a filer has forgotten, misplaced, or wants to confirm its CIK, it may look up its CIK by searching for the company name on EDGAR company search or CIK Lookup.

CCC

  • Automatically generated by EDGAR if Form ID is granted.
  • Used with the CIK to file on EDGAR and to retrieve and edit the filer’s data on EDGAR and will continue to be used to file under EDGAR Next.
  • Visible on the dashboard of the EDGAR Filer Management website for enrolled filers or filers whose Form ID was granted on or after March 24, 2025.
  • Consists of eight characters having at least one number (0-9) and at least one special character (@, #, $, *) and is case-sensitive—must be presented exactly as created (either upper or lower case).
  • Never expires but should be changed periodically as a routine security practice.
  • To change the current known CCC, confirm the current known CCC, or generate a new CCC for one that has been lost or forgotten, see below for instructions.
  • A CCC created prior to March 24, 2025 will automatically be reset upon enrollment; the new CCC will display on the dashboard and may be changed and customized thereafter by an account administrator.

Use of the CCC in submission headers
If a filer’s CCC contains lower case letters when it is created or changed, the filer must use lower case letters when entering the CCC in the submission. To minimize errors, avoid using the number 1 (one), the lower case letter “l” (el), the number 0 (zero), or the capital letter O (oh).

Providing the CCC to filing agents
A filing agent must use its own login CIK and password to log into the EDGAR filing websites, and thereafter present the filer’s CIK and CCC to make filings for the relevant filer. Filing agents making filings on behalf of a filer through APIs must also be authorized by the filer as delegated entities on the EDGAR Filer Management dashboard.

CCC and account security
SEC staff recommends that filers change their CCC immediately if they suspect that it may have been compromised and periodically as a routine security practice. See Change the CCC.

Passphrase

  • A current passphrase must be provided to enroll in EDGAR Next.
  • After enrollment, the passphrase is no longer needed or used.
  • Will be discontinued entirely after December 19, 2025.
  • Consists of eight characters having at least one number (0-9) and at least one special character (@, #, $, *) and is case-sensitive—must be presented exactly as created (either upper or lower case).
  • Must be securely maintained and strictly controlled.
  • If lost or forgotten, a new passphrase can be obtained until December 19, 2025 by following the instructions in Reset the passphrase.

Password

  • Currently required to log into EDGAR and change the CCC.
  • On September 15, 2025, EDGAR will no longer accept the password for access. Instead, individual account credentials from Login.gov will be required to access all EDGAR filing websites.
  • Consists of 12 characters having at least one number (0-9) and at least one special character (@, #, $, *) and is case-sensitive—must be presented exactly as created (either upper or lower case).
  • Must be securely maintained and strictly controlled.
  • To change, generate new, or confirm the password, see below for instructions.
  • If lost or forgotten prior to enrollment, can be regenerated with the CCC. See the instructions in Generate new and replacement CCC and password. This process requires that the password and CCC be changed at the same time.
  • To check the expiration date of the password, access the EDGAR filing websites; the password's expiration date will appear in red at the top of the screen.

PMAC

  • Used by filers to change their password prior to enrollment.
  • The PMAC can no longer be reset (as part of the transition to EDGAR Next), therefore, if you have lost or forgotten your PMAC, follow the guidance below to reset your password.
  • On December 22, 2025, the PMAC will be discontinued along with password and passphrase.
  • Consists of eight characters having at least one number (0-9) and at least one special character (@, #, $, *) and is case-sensitive—must be presented exactly as created (either upper or lower case).
  • Must be securely maintained and strictly controlled.

Change, Generate New, or Confirm CCC or Password

Filers must coordinate with all those who need access to EDGAR for the filer before changing any EDGAR access code! If not, the filer may not be able to file. See How Do I Enroll in EDGAR Next for more information.

Note: Different instructions apply to unenrolled filers as opposed to enrolled filers and filers whose Form ID was granted on or after March 24, 2025. Please follow the instructions below that pertain to your situation.

Unenrolled filers

Unenrolled filers that have lost or forgotten CCC or password

An unenrolled filer may generate a new CCC and password (EDGAR generates both codes at the same time) or reconfirm its existing CCC and password on the EDGAR Filer Management website. Using this method, you must generate both a new CCC and password at the same time. (To generate only the CCC or the password, use Retrieve/Edit Data on the EDGAR filing websites following the instructions below.)

To use EDGAR Filer Management, the individual taking action for the filer must have Login.gov individual account credentials for EDGAR and be able to access the filer’s EDGAR point of contact (POC) email address. (See the instructions below if you cannot access the filer’s EDGAR POC email.)

  1. Log into the dashboard of the EDGAR Filer Management website with Login.gov individual account credentials.
  2. At the bottom of the page, select Request a password and CCC reset token.
  3. Input the filer’s CIK and the reason for the request (for example, forgot password) and select Request Token.
  4. Within a few minutes, an email containing a security token will be sent to the EDGAR POC email address on file for the filer.
  5. If you did not receive an email, see the guidance below for how to update the EDGAR POC email address.
  6. Once you receive the security token, select Reset password and CCC at the bottom of the page.
  7. Enter the CIK, the token from the email sent to the EDGAR POC, and the filer’s new password and new CCC—or the filer’s existing CCC and password if you wish to reconfirm the existing codes.
  8. Make sure to save the CCC and password in a secure location. The filer will need the CCC and passphrase to enroll in EDGAR Next prior to September 15, 2025 to avoid interruption in the ability to file. Enrollment ends December 19, 2025.

Accessing the EDGAR POC Email

If an unenrolled filer cannot access the EDGAR POC email, the filer (or its filing agent with the filer’s authorization) may view and/or update the EDGAR POC email by following these steps:

  1. On the EDGAR Filing or EDGAR Online Forms website, log in with either the filing agent’s or the client’s CIK and password.
  2. From the left menu, select Retrieve/Edit Data.
  3. Enter the CIK and CCC for the relevant account.
  4. Follow the prompts to the Retrieve/Edit Company and Submission Data page.
  5. Under Retrieve Company Information, verify or update the EDGAR POC email.
  6. Filing agents and others managing multiple CIKs: If you are updating information for multiple CIKs you do not need to log out; simply go back to the Retrieve/Edit Company and Submission Data page, select Enter Another CIK/CCC and follow the instructions on the page.

Once a filer is enrolled in EDGAR Next, the filer’s account administrator will manage its EDGAR POC email on the EDGAR Filer Management dashboard. Other Retrieve/Edit Data features, however, will remain available on the EDGAR Filing and EDGAR Online Forms websites after enrollment, and after the September 15, 2025 compliance date, however, only individuals with the correct permission for the filer will be able to view, submit, or edit the filer’s information.

Unenrolled Filers—Change or Reconfirm the CCC Only Through Retrieve/Edit Data

Unenrolled filers that know their CCC and password can change or reconfirm the CCC on the Retrieve/Edit Data page on the filing websites.

To change the CCC through Retrieve/Edit Data on either the EDGAR Filing or EDGAR Online Forms website:

  1. Enter CIK and password.
  2. Select Retrieve/Edit Data.
  3. Enter CIK and CCC numbers.
  4. Select Change CCC.
  5. Enter CIK number.
  6. Enter password.
  7. Enter new CCC.
  8. Confirm new CCC.
  9. Select Change CCC.

Unenrolled Filers—Change the Password Only Through Retrieve/Edit Data

To change the password only on Retrieve/Edit Data, filers must have the current password and PMAC. If the filer has forgotten or lost the current password or PMAC, the filer must generate a replacement password and CCC. See Unenrolled Filers That Have Lost or Forgotten CCC or Password. Filers can no longer generate a PMAC if they have lost or forgotten it.

To change the password through Retrieve/Edit Data on either the EDGAR Filing or EDGAR Online Forms website:

  1. Enter CIK and password.
  2. Select Retrieve/Edit Data.
  3. Enter CIK and CCC numbers.
  4. Select Change Password.
  5. Enter CIK number.
  6. Enter old password.
  7. Enter new password twice.
  8. Enter PMAC.
  9. Select Change Password.

The EDGAR password must be changed before the expiration date. The expiration date of the password is visible in red at the top of the screen when a filer accesses the EDGAR Filing or EDGAR Online Forms website.

Enrolled Filers and Filers Whose Form ID Was Granted On or After March 24, 2025

Enrolled filers and filers whose Form ID was granted on or after March 24, 2025 can generate a new CCC or create a custom CCC of their choice, and change the password by following these steps:

  1. Log into the EDGAR Filer Management website with Login.gov individual account credentials.
  2. Select the Filer name associated with the CIK.
  3. Select Manage CCC & Password.
  4. To change the CCC:
    • Select either Generate CCC, or
    • Enter a new CCC in the boxes above Create Custom CCC and confirm the new CCC by selecting Create Custom CCC.
    • The new CCC can be viewed by authorized filers by selecting the box Show CCC or by selecting Account Details at the top of the page.
    • Select Reset password and CCC on the bottom right of the page.
  5. To change the Password:
    • Enter a new password in the boxes above Set New Password and confirm the new password by selecting Set New Password.
    • Remember to store the new password as it is not viewable on the EDGAR Filer Management website. The box Show new password only allows filers to see the password prior to confirmation.

Reset the Passphrase

If a filer has lost or forgotten its passphrase, the filer may reset it on the EDGAR Filer Management website by requesting a passphrase reset security token be sent to the filers' EDGAR POC email address, following these instructions. The filer does not need to be enrolled in EDGAR Next to reset the passphrase.

  • Filers who cannot access the current EDGAR POC email address may update the email address by following instructions in Accessing the EDGAR POC Email above.
  • Filing agents may update a filer’s EDGAR POC email address with the filer’s authorization.

To request a security token to reset the passphrase:

  1. Log into the EDGAR Filer Management website with Login.gov credentials.
  2. Select Enroll in EDGAR Next.
  3. Select Passphrase Reset. A new widow will appear.
  4. Select Request a passphrase reset token from the pop-up window.
  5. Type in the CIK that requires a new passphrase and add a Reason for the update (e.g., forgot my passphrase).
  6. Select Request Token. Within a few minutes, an email containing a security token will be sent to the contact email address on file for the CIK.
  7. Return to Enroll in EDGAR Next, select Passphrase Reset, then select Reset Passphrase in the popup window.
  8. Manually type the CIK and security token from the email sent to the EDGAR POC and create a new passphrase.
    • The new passphrase must be exactly eight (8) characters. It also must contain one of these four (4) special characters - @, #, $, * - and at least one number and one letter.
  9. Type the passphrase again to confirm and then select Reset Passphrase.
  10. Make sure the new access codes are saved in a secure location.

Filers must provide the current passphrase to enroll in EDGAR Next. Once a filer is enrolled in EDGAR Next, the use of the passphrase is discontinued.

Lost Access—Submit Form ID for Existing EDGAR Account

Do not submit a Form ID for lost access unless the filer cannot reset the lost access codes after following the guidance above and the filer has contacted Filer Support and received confirmation from Filer Support that the filer must submit Form ID to regain access.

If the filer must submit Form ID to regain access to its account, the filer must submit a signed and notarized Form ID, as detailed on the EDGAR Filer Management website, in the Form ID instructions, and in accord with the EDGAR Filer Manual, Volume I.

  • SEC staff will review the Form ID application.
  • Filers are encouraged to submit the request well in advance of the first required filing to allow sufficient time for staff to review the request. Plan ahead and consult How Do I Prepare and Submit My Form ID for current Form ID average processing times.
  • During its review, SEC staff may request additional information from the filer related to the request. Approval is not guaranteed.

To submit a Form ID to recover electronic access to an existing EDGAR Account:

  1. Log into the EDGAR Filer Management website with Login.gov individual account credentials.
  2. Select Apply for EDGAR Access.
  3. Select Existing EDGAR Account.
  4. The section will expand with three options. Enter the filer’s CIK and indicate the reason the applicant is seeking access to an existing EDGAR account.
  5. Follow the instructions on the page. For additional guidance see How Do I Prepare and submit my Form ID application.
  6. EDGAR will return an accession number to confirm that the Form ID request has been submitted for review. Record the accession number for future reference.
  7. Notification of the outcome of staff’s review will be sent to the EDGAR POC email contact on file.

Last Reviewed or Updated: June 23, 2025