Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval

Overview
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) accelerates the receipt, acceptance, dissemination, and analysis of time-sensitive corporate information filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It performs automated collection, validation, indexing, acceptance, and forwarding of submissions by companies and others who are required by law to file forms with the SEC.

Not all documents filed with the SEC by public companies are available on EDGAR for the following reasons: some documents are not permitted to be filed electronically, some submissions are voluntary, other documents may be filed manually, and filings by foreign companies are not required to be filed on EDGAR. Public filings to the SEC can be viewed on the SEC home page within 48 hours of being filed.

Source

 * Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information, at 69.