Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification through telephony signaling, including formatting an incoming or outgoing basic telephone signal, and storing or retrieving information pertaining thereto. A conversion device is connected on the tip and ring side of a telephonic device. The caller identification information provided by the telephone company on incoming calls or the dual tone multiple frequency signal on outgoing calls is formatted into ASCII character text which is used as an index to a relational database. Information relating to the formatting signal is read and/or written to the database, and displayed on a display unit or printed, while the call is in progress.