GlossaryGuide

The Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database contains registration documents filed by investment adviser firms that register electronically using the Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD). IAPD also contains registration information filed with the states by individuals acting as investment adviser representatives, if they are required to register. Not all states require investment adviser representatives to register.

Through IAPD, you can:

• Search for an investment adviser firm or individual representative.
• View the adviser’s current Form ADV filing.
• Check the adviser’s or individual representative’s registration status.
• View information on the representative’s professional background and conduct, including current registrations, employment history, and disciplinary events.
• Link to a state regulator’s website.
• Search the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA’s) BrokerCheck website for information about broker-dealers and brokerage firms.

All information filed by advisers on Form ADV is available on IAPD, except for certain personal identifying information.  The IAPD website is available 24 hours a day, free of charge. Investors can get copies of historical Form ADVs and investors without Internet access can get copies of the current (as well as historical) Form ADVs by accessing How to Request Public Documents.  Investors can also call the SEC’s toll-free investor assistance line at (800) 732-0330 for help.

Information concerning investment advisers that are no longer registered with the SEC or states is made available on IAPD for ten years after the adviser is no longer registered. If you are deciding whether to hire an investment adviser, you should verify that your adviser has an active registration by reviewing the information available at the “Registration/Reporting Status” tab.

For more information on this topic, please read our publication, Investor Bulletin:  What is IAPD (Investment Adviser Public Disclosure)?.