A prospectus that entails issuance of securities or class of securities for subscription in one issue or more over a certain period, off the shelf– i.e., without the release of another prospectus at the time of the real issue of securities or every round of issue in the future. A shelf prospectus has a period of validity (e.g., one year) during which it remains active and issuance can be conducted off the shelf.

The validity period commences at the date of opening of the first offering of securities under the shelf prospectus. During this period, no further or fresh prospectus is required for a second or subsequent offer of securities for subscription. Shelf prospectus allows certain types of companies to carry out multiple offerings within one validity period.

Typically, a shelf prospectus is accompanied with an information memorandum that is to be filed prior to a second or subsequent issue of securities under that type of prospectus.