Form T-1 Filings

What Is SEC Form T-1?

SEC Form T-1 is a filing required under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 for statements of eligibility of corporations designated to act as trustees under trust indentures that must be qualified in connection with registered debt securities offerings (see the SEC’s Form T-1).

This form is typically filed as an exhibit to a Securities Act registration statement (for example, on Forms S-1, S-3, or other registration statements that register debt securities subject to the Trust Indenture Act). Because it is tied to an offering and an indenture, the filing is event-driven and submitted when the trustee’s eligibility must be demonstrated.

Form T-1 supports disclosure and compliance by providing standardized information about the trustee, its organization, affiliations, and eligibility. In EDGAR practice, it is commonly filed in exhibit form (often as EX-25) alongside registration statement materials, and it is not generally submitted as a standalone filing type, as with periodic reports.

Key elements typically found in SEC Form T-1 include:

• Name of the trustee and form of organization
• Jurisdiction of organization and principal office address
• Trustee’s eligibility and qualifications under the Trust Indenture Act
• Affiliations and relationships that may be relevant to independence considerations
• Information regarding indentures and securities covered by the statement
• Required signatures and referenced exhibits supporting the trustee’s authority

SEC Form T-1 Filing Deadlines

SEC Form T-1 has timing requirements that are generally driven by the related registration statement and the need to qualify the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. These timing considerations are crucial to ensure regulatory compliance and provide proper documentation of the trustee’s eligibility.

Key Things to Know About Form T-1 Filing Rules

• Trustee Eligibility Purpose: Form T-1 is used to provide the required statement of eligibility and qualification of a corporate trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
• Typically Filed as an Exhibit: In many registered debt offerings, the trustee’s Form T-1 appears as an exhibit (often Exhibit 25) to the registration statement materials rather than as a standalone submission type.
• Offering-Driven Filing Timing: The filing is generally tied to the timing of the related registration statement and the qualification of the indenture, so it is submitted when the offering documentation is being filed and finalized.
• Trustee and Indenture Specific: The content of Form T-1 is specific to the trustee and often references the indenture and the securities being issued, meaning different offerings and trustees may require separate statements of eligibility.
• Used in Registered Debt Securities Context: Form T-1 most commonly arises in connection with registered debt securities offerings that require a qualified indenture, where the trustee’s eligibility must be documented as part of the registration statement exhibits.

To monitor trustee eligibility materials and exhibit filings connected to registered debt offerings, our platform helps you track filing activity and supporting exhibits through resources like the SEC Filing Form Index. Our Free SEC Filing Alerts will help you monitor filings like Form T-1.