Comparison of Form S-1 and Form S-3 Registration Statements Checklist

Summary

This checklist provides a comparison between Form S-3, the “short form” registration statement form that may be used by eligible registrants to register securities under the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act), and Form S-1, the general registration statement form that may be used by most registrants. For a follow-on securities offering (i.e., an offering made after an initial public offering), an issuer may choose to register securities using Form S-1 or, if it is eligible, Form S-3. For eligible issuers, there are advantages to using a Form S-3 over Form S-1. A comparison of key differences between Form S-3 and Form S-1 are set forth in the checklist below.