Answer

U.S. reporting companies, foreign and domestic, are currently required to file registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms electronically through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “SEC” EDGAR system.  U.S. public companies started filing electronically on EDGAR in 1994. Companies and SEC filing types were phased into the system so the scope of what is available on EDGAR varies by company and filing. The official government site is www.SEC.gov  For public records not posted to the SEC website (usually dated prior to 1996) you may contact the SEC, see the Fast Answers for Records and Information page.

Companies provide access to their SEC filings and sometimes their glossy annuals on their websites.  This information can generally be found under the Investor Relations tab of the company website.  

Go to the Business Library's Company & Financial Information section for links to useful resources including links to the following suggested resources that include pre-EDGAR SEC filings that date back many years. 

Mergent Online: Provides current and historical SEC filings. Go to the Basic Search and enter a company name. Mergent Archives: Provides reports for U.S., Canadian, and International companies covering over 100 years of reports.  Go to the Search Mergent Archives.

ProQuest Historical Annual Reports: Provides over 150 years of reports from top North American companies.

Standard and Poor’s Net Advantage: Provides current and historical SEC filings.  Go to the Companies tab and search by name.  Go to the News, Events and Filings tab under the company profile page.