How to Find Your CUSIP Number for Any Security

A CUSIP number, an acronym for Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures, serves as a unique identifier for financial instruments traded in the United States and Canada. This standardized nine-character alphanumeric code distinguishes various securities, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Investors often need to locate a CUSIP number for purposes such as accurate tax reporting, tracking investment performance, facilitating the transfer of securities, or conducting thorough research on a specific holding.

Locating on Investment Statements and Documents

CUSIP numbers are commonly present on various official documents provided by financial institutions, whether in physical or digital format. On typical brokerage statements, the CUSIP number for each security held is usually listed near the security’s description, its ticker symbol, or the quantity of shares or bonds owned. Similarly, trade confirmations will typically include the CUSIP number specific to that transaction.

For mutual funds, the CUSIP can be found on statements detailing fund holdings. Newly issued securities often have their CUSIP number detailed within the official prospectus or offering documents. When reviewing these documents, investors should look for a distinct nine-character alphanumeric code that may be explicitly labeled “CUSIP” or appear within a column designated for security identification numbers.

Accessing Through Online Resources

Online platforms offer several convenient ways to find CUSIP numbers for your securities. Most online brokerage portals allow clients to navigate to their “holdings” or “positions” section, where clicking on a specific security will often reveal a detailed profile page containing its CUSIP number.

Beyond brokerage accounts, numerous financial news websites and data providers also offer tools to look up CUSIPs. Users can search for a security by its company name or ticker symbol, and the CUSIP number is typically displayed within the security’s detailed information page. For specific types of securities, such as municipal bonds, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) provides the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) system, which offers publicly accessible CUSIP information. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also hosts a database query tool where some CUSIPs can be found in public filings.

Confirming and Using Your CUSIP

Understanding the structure of a CUSIP number aids in its confirmation; it is a nine-character alphanumeric code. The first six characters identify the issuer of the security, the subsequent two characters denote the specific type of issue, and the ninth character functions as a check digit to ensure accuracy.

If a CUSIP cannot be found on usual documents or through online searches, or if there is any doubt about its accuracy, contacting the brokerage firm where the security is held is a practical step. Investment advisors or the issuer’s investor relations department can also provide assistance in verifying the correct CUSIP. Having the precise CUSIP is important for accurate trading, efficient settlement, and proper reporting.