Abstract: A system and method for requesting and retrieving contact information from an encoded business card comprises a business card having a unique serial number imprinted thereon; a card reader device such as bar code reader adapted to read an encoded unique serial number; and an electronic communication device or computer coupled to the reader for communication to a central repository of contact information. In operation the bar-code imprinted on the business card is read by the card reader device and is then transmitted to a central networked computer for retrieval of business and./or personal contact information associated with the bar-coded serial number.