How To Find Your CUSIP Number

Quick answer

• Your CUSIP number is a unique identifier for most U.S. and Canadian securities.
• You can typically find it on brokerage statements, trade confirmations, or by contacting your broker.
• For registered securities, check your account statements or dividend information.
• If you own physical stock certificates, the CUSIP might be printed on them.
• Financial websites or databases may also list CUSIPs, but verify the source.
• If all else fails, contact the issuer of the security or a financial professional.

Who this is for

• Investors who need to identify specific stocks, bonds, or other securities they own.
• Individuals managing a portfolio and needing accurate details for tracking or reporting.
• Anyone who has received financial documents and needs to understand a particular number.

What to check first (before you act)

Your Investment Holdings

Before you start searching for a CUSIP, take stock of what you own. Are you looking for a CUSIP for a stock you bought through a brokerage account, a bond you hold directly, or perhaps mutual fund shares? Knowing the type of security and how you hold it will guide your search.

Account Statements and Trade Confirmations

The most common place to find a CUSIP number is on your official investment account statements. These are usually sent out monthly or quarterly by your brokerage firm or financial institution. Similarly, any trade confirmations you received when you bought or sold a security should also list its CUSIP.

Your Brokerage or Financial Advisor

If you can’t locate the CUSIP on your documents, your next best step is to contact your brokerage firm or financial advisor. They have direct access to your account details and can look up the CUSIP for any security you hold. Be prepared to provide your account number and potentially other identifying information.

Step-by-step (simple workflow)

Step 1: Identify the Security

What to do: Clearly identify the specific stock, bond, mutual fund, or other investment for which you need the CUSIP.
What “good” looks like: You know the company name, ticker symbol (if applicable), and the type of investment.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Assuming you know the exact security. Double-check company names and fund identifiers to ensure accuracy.

Step 2: Gather Your Investment Documents

What to do: Collect recent brokerage statements, trade confirmations, prospectuses, or any other official paperwork related to your investments.
What “good” looks like: You have physical or digital copies of documents from the past year or so.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Using outdated documents. Information can change, so always use the most current statements available.

Step 3: Review Brokerage Statements

What to do: Carefully examine your monthly or quarterly statements from your broker. Look for a section detailing your holdings.
What “good” looks like: The CUSIP number is listed alongside the security name, number of shares, and market value.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Overlooking the CUSIP column. It’s often a nine-character alphanumeric code, sometimes labeled as “CUSIP.”

Step 4: Check Trade Confirmations

What to do: If you recently bought or sold the security, find the trade confirmation document for that transaction.
What “good” looks like: The CUSIP is present on the confirmation, confirming its identity for that specific trade.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Confusing the CUSIP of a different, similar security. Ensure the confirmation matches the exact security you’re researching.

Step 5: Look for Physical Certificates (If Applicable)

What to do: If you hold physical stock certificates (which is rare for most modern investors), examine them carefully.
What “good” looks like: The CUSIP number is printed on the face of the certificate.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Assuming you have physical certificates when you don’t. Most modern holdings are electronic.

Step 6: Search Online Brokerage Portals

What to do: Log in to your online brokerage account and navigate to your portfolio or holdings section.
What “good” looks like: The CUSIP is displayed as part of the detailed information for each security.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Relying on unofficial third-party tracking sites that may not always have the most accurate or up-to-date CUSIPs.

Step 7: Contact Your Broker or Financial Advisor

What to do: If you still can’t find the CUSIP, reach out to your brokerage firm or financial advisor directly.
What “good” looks like: A representative can quickly access your account and provide the CUSIP number.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Not having your account number or other verification details ready. This will slow down the process.

Step 8: Contact the Security Issuer (For Direct Holdings)

What to do: If you hold securities directly from the issuer (e.g., through a dividend reinvestment plan without a broker), contact the company’s investor relations department.
What “good” looks like: Investor relations can guide you on where to find the CUSIP for their specific securities.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Contacting the wrong department. Ensure you’re speaking with investor relations or a shareholder services representative.

Step 9: Use Reputable Financial Data Websites

What to do: Search for the security on well-known financial news or data websites (e.g., Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg).
What “good” looks like: The CUSIP is listed on the security’s profile page.
Common mistake and how to avoid it: Trusting unofficial or outdated data. Always cross-reference information if possible, and prioritize official statements.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Relying on outdated statements	Incorrect identification of securities, potentially leading to errors in tax reporting or portfolio analysis.	Always use the most recent statements and confirmations.
Confusing CUSIPs for different securities	Buying or selling the wrong investment, or misidentifying holdings, leading to financial losses or incorrect record-keeping.	Double-check the security name and ticker symbol against the CUSIP.
Not having account information ready when calling a broker	Delays in obtaining the CUSIP, frustration, and wasted time.	Keep your account number and personal verification details handy.
Assuming all holdings are electronic	Wasting time searching for physical certificates that don’t exist.	Confirm your holding method; most are electronic.
Using unofficial CUSIP databases	Obtaining incorrect or outdated CUSIP numbers, leading to inaccurate investment tracking.	Prioritize official brokerage statements and contact information.
Not understanding the purpose of a CUSIP	Misinterpreting its significance, leading to confusion about investment details.	Understand that CUSIPs are unique identifiers for specific securities.
Forgetting to check trade confirmations	Missing a direct source of CUSIP information for recent transactions.	Review trade confirmations for all purchases and sales.
Not distinguishing between different types of securities	Searching for a CUSIP in the wrong place (e.g., looking on a stock certificate for a bond).	Know whether you’re looking for a stock, bond, mutual fund, etc.
Failing to verify information with multiple sources	Accepting a CUSIP from one source that might be incorrect.	Cross-reference CUSIPs if possible, especially from unofficial sources.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you have a recent brokerage statement, then check it first because it’s the most likely place to find the CUSIP.
• If you have a trade confirmation for the security, then review it because it will list the CUSIP for that specific transaction.
• If you cannot find the CUSIP on your documents, then contact your brokerage firm because they have direct access to your account information.
• If you hold securities directly from the issuer, then contact investor relations because they can provide specific guidance.
• If you are looking for a CUSIP for a physical stock certificate, then examine the certificate itself because the number is often printed on it.
• If you are using an online financial data website, then verify the CUSIP with your brokerage information because unofficial sources can sometimes be inaccurate.
• If you are unsure about the security you are researching, then confirm the exact name and ticker symbol before searching for the CUSIP because misidentification leads to errors.
• If you need the CUSIP for tax reporting purposes, then ensure you are using the official CUSIP from your broker to avoid discrepancies with the IRS.
• If you are dealing with complex or rare securities, then consider consulting a financial professional because they have specialized knowledge.
• If you are looking up a CUSIP for a bond, then remember it may be different from a stock CUSIP and might be found on bond certificates or prospectuses.
• If you are searching for a CUSIP for a mutual fund, then check your fund statements or the fund’s prospectus because the CUSIP identifies the specific fund class.

FAQ

What is a CUSIP number?

A CUSIP number is a nine-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a U.S. or Canadian registered security. It’s like a fingerprint for your investment, helping to track it across various financial systems.

Why do I need a CUSIP number?

You might need a CUSIP for portfolio tracking, tax reporting, research, or when dealing with specific financial transactions. It ensures you’re referring to the exact security.

Are CUSIP numbers the same as ticker symbols?

No, they are different. A ticker symbol is a short abbreviation used to identify a security on an exchange (like AAPL for Apple). A CUSIP is a longer, unique identifier for the specific issue of a security.

Can I find a CUSIP number online for free?

Yes, many reputable financial websites list CUSIP numbers for publicly traded securities. However, always cross-reference with your official brokerage statements if possible.

What if my security doesn’t seem to have a CUSIP?

Not all financial instruments have CUSIP numbers, especially very old or obscure ones, or certain types of private placements. If you can’t find one, it might be for a valid reason.

How often do CUSIP numbers change?

Generally, a CUSIP number for a specific security remains constant. However, changes can occur if a company undergoes significant restructuring, splits its stock in a way that requires re-identification, or if a bond issue is refinanced.

Is the CUSIP number the same as an ISIN?

No. While both are security identifiers, an ISIN (International Securities Identification Number) is a 12-character alphanumeric code used globally, whereas a CUSIP is primarily for North American securities.

Where can I find CUSIP information for bonds?

For bonds, you can often find the CUSIP on bond certificates, bond prospectuses, or your brokerage account statements if you hold them through a broker.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Obtaining a new CUSIP: This guide focuses on finding existing CUSIPs. The process for assigning a new CUSIP is handled by the CUSIP Global Services.
• International securities: While some Canadian securities are covered, this guide primarily addresses U.S. securities and their CUSIP identifiers. For global securities, you’ll need to look into ISINs or other international identifiers.
• The cost or process of assigning a CUSIP: This article is for investors, not for entities issuing new securities.
• Detailed explanations of every security type: While CUSIPs apply broadly, specific nuances for highly specialized financial products may require further research.