What Is SEC Form S-1?

By Kristi Waterworth – Updated Jun 11, 2025 at 12:23 AM

Key Points

Form S-1 is mandatory for US companies issuing an IPO or new stock, detailing risks and rewards.
It includes vital information like company details, IPO date, and a detailed investment prospectus.
Investors should consult Form S-1 for a clear understanding of securities and company operations.

As an investor, it's vital that you do your due diligence on every single purchase you make, even if it's a small buy of a new company you think has some potential. That's where Form S-1 comes in: It gives you more information you can use to make the best decisions possible for your portfolio.

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About the Author

Kristi Waterworth has been a contributing real estate and financial expert at The Motley Fool, covering real estate, investing, and personal finance topics, since 2020. Kristi has been interviewed by various TV media outlets and podcasts for her real estate investing expertise – from residential real estate to digital real estate and everything in between. Kristi’s journalist career spans over 25 years, and she has written about real estate investing, homeownership, and home construction specifically for the last decade. She was also previously a licensed Realtor and general building contractor before the Great Recession and housing market collapse. She holds a bachelor’s degree in American history from Columbia College in Missouri.

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