CUSIP
CUSIP: A nine-character code that identifies a specific stock, bond or other security in the United States and Canada, used for trading, clearing and settlement. CUSIP numbers are assigned by CUSIP Global Services when a security is issued. They are not assigned to birth certificates, court cases or personal identities.
What CUSIP means
Put simply, cusip is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where cusip comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: DTCC.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if cusip appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read cusip in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Credit: has several meanings.
- Creditor: a person or business to whom money or another obligation is owed.
- Cross-examination: questioning of a witness by the party who did not call the witness. Under Federal Rule of Evidence 611(b), cross-examination generally should not go beyond the subject matter of the direct examination and matters affecting the witness's credibility.
- Crossclaim: a claim by one party against a coparty, such as one defendant against another.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.