Submit Online Forms
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Creating and Transmitting Online Forms
You may create and transmit an online form in XML format using the EDGAR Online Forms Management website. EDGAR Online Forms Management facilitates filers’ assembly and submission of XML filings.
To create and transmit an online form in XML format using the EDGAR Online Forms Management website:
- Select the specific form to be created.
- Provide all requested information, including but not limited to the information required by the SEC rules applicable to that form, for example, reporting period end date or reporting file number.
- Do not enter any Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (Sensitive PII).
- Ensure that all information on the form is accurate. If any information is not accurate, edit the information.
- Provide your signature and signature date. EDGAR does not support digital signatures.
- Before uploading any attachments, such as cover letters, exhibits or correspondence, ensure that they do not contain Sensitive PII.
- Upload attachments, such as cover letters, exhibits or correspondence.
- Print the form for your records.
- Transmit the form to EDGAR for processing.
Important Information
- Please be aware that certain filings prepared and submitted through EDGAR Online Forms Management are live EDGAR submissions. Once transmitted, these filings will be automatically processed, and, if accepted, immediately disseminated to the public.
- Consult the EDGAR Filer Manual, Volume II, Chapter 7 to determine the maximum size allowed for your submission.
- While EDGAR supports most browsers, we recommend using vendor-supported versions of EDGE and Google Chrome.
- For ownership forms only:
- You can only prepare and submit one ownership form at a time.
- For example, if you are filing ownership forms on behalf of a company's officers and directors, you must create a separate form for each officer and director.
- You cannot save work in progress. It is therefore important for you to have all information necessary to complete ownership forms before you begin to assemble your submission online.
- If you exit the form window, your work in progress will be discarded.
- You can only prepare and submit one ownership form at a time.
Transmitting an Online Form
When you create an online form on the EDGAR Online Forms Management website, the preparation and transmission processes are combined in a single browser session. You must transmit your online submissions after you prepare them on the website.
The EDGAR Online Forms Management website will guide you through the process of transmission. Review and ensure the data you have entered is correct before you submit the form.
Creating and Transmitting Filer-constructed Submissions
Creating Filer-constructed Submissions
Filer-constructed submissions are forms that filers prepare on their own outside of EDGAR and without the use of the EDGAR Online Forms Management website.
Filers may construct submissions in different ways:
- Use companies that develop software for the preparation and submission of EDGAR filings.
- Develop their own interface that will deliver a tagged form ready for submission.
- Develop their own tagged files without the aid of computer programs or interfaces.
- SEC staff does not provide support for externally created software related to filer-constructed submissions.
Technical Specifications for Filer-constructed Submissions
SEC staff publishes EDGAR technical specifications on SEC.gov's Technical Specifications webpage that allow the creation of software or format output compatible with EDGAR.
- Draft and final updated technical specifications are posted for each major EDGAR release.
- Draft specifications are posted approximately thirty days prior to the release.
- Final technical specifications are made available on or shortly after the EDGAR release date.
Draft EDGAR technical specifications
SEC staff posts draft EDGAR technical specifications on SEC.gov's Technical Specifications webpage approximately thirty days prior to a scheduled major EDGAR release.
- Draft technical specifications are posted to allow filers, agents and developers to prepare for the potential changes to EDGAR.
- Draft technical specifications cannot be considered final because they are posted prior to Commission approval of potential EDGAR Filer Manual changes.
- Changes outlined in draft technical specifications will note the date that the changes will be effective if the Commission approves the related EDGAR Filer Manual changes.
- SEC staff may change any part of the draft technical specifications before the release.
- The release schedule is subject to change.
XML form type technical specifications
SEC staff makes available XML technical specifications on the Technical Specifications webpage on SEC.gov that detail the format for a specific submission type or a small group of related submission types. For example, the EDGAR Ownership XML Technical Specification document describes Section 16 forms.
Each XML form type technical specification includes a description of all tags, allowable content, and format of the data elements for the specific submission type or group of related submission types. The XML form type technical specification describes the XML content in a tagged structure. The technical specification also includes details as to how to encode and attach additional document content such as cover letters and correspondence.
Submitting Filer-constructed Submissions
Filers can submit a prepared XML filer-constructed filing through either the EDGAR Online Forms Management website or the EDGAR Filing website. Website directions assist filers in selecting the file to be submitted/transmitted.
Note Regarding EDGAR Next API Submissions
EDGAR now offers filers optional application programming interfaces (APIs) for submission, status and filer account management if filers are enrolled in EDGAR Next or if filers' Form ID was granted on or after March 24, 2025. For more information about EDGAR Next APIs, see How Do I Understand EDGAR Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), How Do I Create and Manage Filer and User API Tokens, Overview of APIs and the API Development Toolkit.
Last Reviewed or Updated: April 10, 2025