Document Retention Schedule
Regulatory status current as of June 2026 — verify retention periods against the current text of SEC Rules 17a-4 and 204-2 and FINRA rules before advising.
| Document Type | Retention Period | Source Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Blotters (purchase/sale, cash receipts/disbursements) | 6 years | Rule 17a-4(a) |
| General ledger and subsidiary ledgers | 6 years | Rule 17a-4(a) |
| Customer account records and statements | 6 years | Rule 17a-4(a), (b) |
| Securities positions (stock record) | 6 years | Rule 17a-4(a) |
| Financial statements and net capital computations | 6 years | Rule 17a-4(b)(8) |
| Partnership articles and amendments | 6 years | Rule 17a-4(b) |
| Communications (letters, emails, IMs, texts) — BD | 3 years | Rule 17a-4(b)(4) |
| Memoranda of brokerage orders | 3 years | Rule 17a-4(b)(1) |
| Written supervisory procedures | 3 years (current plus prior versions) | Rule 17a-4(b), FINRA Rule 3110 |
| Employment applications (associated persons) | 3 years after termination | Rule 17a-4(c) |
| Customer complaints | 4 years | FINRA Rule 4513 |
| Written agreements (customer, clearing, employment) | 3 years after termination or expiration | Rule 17a-4(b)(7) |
| Exception reports and supervisory review records | 3 years | FINRA Rule 3110 |
| Branch inspection reports | 3 years (per inspection cycle) | FINRA Rule 3110 |
| Articles of incorporation, bylaws, minute books | Life of enterprise | Rule 17a-4(d) |
| IA journals and ledgers | 5 years | Rule 204-2(a)(1)-(2) |
| IA written communications (sent and received) | 5 years | Rule 204-2(a)(7) |
| IA advertising and performance records | 5 years | Rule 204-2(a)(11), (16) |
| IA client records and advisory agreements | 5 years from end of advisory relationship | Rule 204-2(a)(3), (10) |
| IA investment recommendations and supporting docs | 5 years | Rule 204-2(a)(3), (8) |
| IA political contribution records (pay-to-play) | 5 years | Rule 204-2(a)(18) |
| IA code of ethics and personal trading records | 5 years | Rule 204-2(a)(12)-(13) |
| IA proxy voting records | 5 years | Rule 206(4)-6 |
For all broker-dealer records subject to three-year or six-year retention, the first two years must be maintained in an easily accessible place. For investment adviser records, the first two years of the five-year period must be maintained in an easily accessible place.