CIK
Also known as: Central Index Key
DEFINITION
The Central Index Key is EDGAR's unique identifier for every filer. Ticker symbols can change or be reused, but CIKs are permanent. Apple's CIK is 0000320193; an insider's CIK persists across companies they file for. CIK lookup is the most reliable way to programmatically query EDGAR — every filing URL is structured around the filer's CIK.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR RETAIL INVESTORS
If you ever try to automate EDGAR queries or pull historical filings, you will quickly discover that CIK — not ticker — is the right key. For renamed or merged companies, the CIK is the thread that ties pre- and post-rename filings together. CIKs also reveal corporate structure: subsidiaries that file separately have their own CIK linked to the parent.
OFFICIAL SEC SOURCE
https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/cik ↗RELATED TERMS
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