What is the Form U-4?

Unlike Form ADV, which registers the firm, Form U-4 registers the individual — it’s filed through the same IARD/CRD system but creates a personal registration record tied to that person’s CRD number, which follows them across firms throughout their career. The form requires disclosure of criminal history, regulatory actions, civil litigation related to the securities industry, and financial matters like bankruptcies, all of which become part of the individual’s public record on IAPD (referred to there as BrokerCheck/IAPD disclosure history).

Firms are responsible for filing an accurate Form U-4 for each representative and for promptly amending it when disclosure events occur, rather than waiting for an annual update cycle.