diff --git a/doc/ssl/SSL_rstate_string.pod b/doc/ssl/SSL_rstate_string.pod
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bdb8a1fcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/ssl/SSL_rstate_string.pod
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+=pod
+
+=head1 NAME
+
+SSL_rstate_string, SSL_rstate_string_long - get textual description of state of an SSL object during read operation
+
+=head1 SYNOPSIS
+
+ #include <openssl/ssl.h>
+
+ const char *SSL_rstate_string(SSL *ssl);
+ const char *SSL_rstate_string_long(SSL *ssl);
+
+=head1 DESCRIPTION
+
+SSL_rstate_string() returns a 2 letter string indicating the current read state
+of the SSL object B<ssl>.
+
+SSL_rstate_string_long() returns a string indicating the current read state of
+the SSL object B<ssl>.
+
+=head1 NOTES
+
+When performing a read operation, the SSL/TLS engine must parse the record,
+consisting of header and body. When working in a blocking environment,
+SSL_rstate_string[_long]() should always return "RD"/"read done".
+
+This function should only seldom be needed in applications.
+
+=head1 RETURN VALUES
+
+SSL_rstate_string() and SSL_rstate_string_long() can return the following
+values:
+
+=over 4
+
+=item "RH"/"read header"
+
+The header of the record is being evaluated.
+
+=item "RB"/"read body"
+
+The body of the record is being evaluated.
+
+=item "RD"/"read done"
+
+The record has been completely processed.
+
+=item "unknown"/"unknown"
+
+The read state is unknown. This should never happen.
+
+=back
+
+=head1 SEE ALSO
+
+L<ssl(3)|ssl(3)>
+
+=cut
diff --git a/doc/ssl/SSL_state_string.pod b/doc/ssl/SSL_state_string.pod
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..39ca5f29f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/ssl/SSL_state_string.pod
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+=pod
+
+=head1 NAME
+
+SSL_state_string, SSL_state_string_long - get textual description of state of an SSL object
+
+=head1 SYNOPSIS
+
+ #include <openssl/ssl.h>
+
+ const char *SSL_state_string(SSL *ssl);
+ const char *SSL_state_string_long(SSL *ssl);
+
+=head1 DESCRIPTION
+
+SSL_state_string() returns a 6 letter string indicating the current state
+of the SSL object B<ssl>.
+
+SSL_state_string_long() returns a string indicating the current state of
+the SSL object B<ssl>.
+
+=head1 NOTES
+
+During its use, an SSL objects passes several states. The state is internally
+maintained. Querying the state information is not very informative before
+or when a connection has been established. It however can be of significant
+interest during the handshake.
+
+When using non-blocking sockets, the function call performing the handshake
+may return with SSL_ERROR_WANT_READ or SSL_ERROR_WANT_WRITE condition,
+so that SSL_state_string[_long]() may be called.
+
+For both blocking or non-blocking sockets, the details state information
+can be used within the info_callback function set with the
+SSL_set_info_callback() call.
+
+=head1 RETURN VALUES
+
+Detailed description of possible states to be included later.
+
+=head1 SEE ALSO
+
+L<ssl(3)|ssl(3)>
+
+=cut