SEC Form 10

What Is SEC Form 10?

SEC Form 10 is a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), also known as the General Form for Registration of Securities. It is used to register a class of securities for potential trading on U.S. exchanges. Any company with over $10 million in total assets and 750 or more shareholders is required to file a Form 10 with the SEC.

Any company under these thresholds may file a Form 10 voluntarily. The Form 10 registration statement automatically becomes effective sixty days post-filing.

Understanding SEC Form 10

The filing of SEC Form 10 is a necessary but insufficient step to register securities for trading. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) must approve the trading of the securities.

When the registration statement takes effect, other reporting requirements are triggered. The issuer must file annual reports (10-K), quarterly reports (10-Q), current reports (8-K) and annual proxy statements. In addition, management and shareholders become subject to the beneficial ownership reporting requirements of Sections 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Elements of SEC Form 10

The General Form for Registration of Securities includes the following items that need to be furnished:

Other Considerations

Three complete copies of the registration statement, including financial statements, exhibits and all other papers and documents filed as a part thereof, and five additional copies which need not include exhibits, shall be filed with the SEC. At least one complete copy of the registration statement, including financial statements, exhibits and all other papers and documents filed as a part thereof, shall be filed with each exchange on which any class of securities is to be registered. At least one complete copy of the registration statement filed with the SEC and one such copy filed with each exchange shall be manually signed. Copies not manually signed shall bear typed or printed signatures.

Information required by any item or other requirement of the Form 10 with respect to any foreign subsidiary may be omitted to the extent that the required disclosure would be detrimental to the registrant. However, financial statements, otherwise required, shall not be omitted pursuant to this instruction. Where information is omitted pursuant to this instruction, a statement shall be made that such information has been omitted and the names of the subsidiaries involved shall be separately furnished to the SEC . The SEC may, in its discretion, call for justification that the required disclosure would be detrimental.