Citation Formats
Citations for government information can be a little complex. Once you understand the components of the citation, finding the information will be much easier! There are a few different types of citation formats.
Laws Format: Popular Name, Public Law # or Chapter #, Volume # Title of Book or Abbreviation Page #. (Year Enacted).
Example: Endangered Species Act of 1973, P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884 (1973).
Codes Format: Popular Name, Title # Abbreviation Section # (Year Enacted)
Example: Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq
Note: may include § which marks a Section #., year enacted is optional.
Regulatory Format: Title # Abbreviation Section # (Year Enacted).
Example: 74 FR 9753
Note: may include § which marks a Section #., year enacted is optional.
How to Read a Bill or Law
This screenshot of a public law contains a lot of citations that will be useful in finding out about the drafting and implementation of this law. There are different parts of the page that act as citations for where to find more information. See the "Finding Cited Information" box at right for details.
A: Laws format citation. Public Law designation. Introduced to the 115th Congress as the 15th bill.
B: Laws format citation. Statutes at Large Citation. To be published in Volume # 131 as # 79.
C: U.S. Code Citation.
D: Legislative History. Cites the Senate Bill number and the debate days where discussion is recorded in the Congressional Record.
How to Use GovInfo Citation Search
- GovInfo Citation SearchUse this tool from the Federal Government to use drop down boxes to enter the information from your citation.
Dictionary of Abbreviations
Have a citation or part of a citation but don’t know what it means? Use this dictionary of abbreviations to look it up.
|
Abbreviation |
Definition |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
S. |
Bill originating in the Senate |
S. 1 |
|
H.R. |
Bill originating in the House |
H.R. 2002 |
|
S.Res. |
Simple resolution originating in the Senate |
S.Res. 2 |
|
H.Res. |
Simple resolution originating in the House |
H.Res. 3 |
|
S.J.Res. |
Joint resolution originating in the Senate |
S.J. Res.4 |
|
H.J.Res. |
Joint resolution originating in the House |
H.J. Res.5 |
|
S.Con.Res. |
Concurrent resolution originating in the Senate |
S.Con.Res.6 |
|
H.Con.Res. |
Concurrent resolution originating in the House |
H.Con.Res.7 |
|
P.L. |
A bill or joint resolution, originating in either the Senate or House, may become a Public law |
P.L.101-336 |
|
Stat. |
United States Statutes at Large is a chronological listing of the laws enacted each Congress. Volumes are numbered according to the number of Congress. |
80 Stat.371 |
|
U.S.C. |
United States Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It is grouped by subject in one of 53 titles. |
5 U.S.C. § 552 |
|
U.S.C.A. |
United States Code Annotated |
|
|
U.S.C.S. |
United States Code Service – The U.S. Code reprinted with additional information. Accessible online through LexisNexis or in print via request from the BARN. See the library catalog to request the print copy. In Lexis Nexis, click on the drop down for “Search by Subject or Topic” and Select “Federal Statues and Regulations” |
7 USCS §§ 136c |
|
S.Rpt. |
Report issued by a Senate committee, usually to accompany legislation that has passed in committee |
S.Rpt.97-10 |
|
C.F.R. |
Code of Federal Regulations |
|
|
H.Rpt. |
Report issued by a House or conference committee, usually to accompany legislation that has passed in committee |
H.Rpt.99-22 |
| et seq. | "and what follows", usually accompanies a section # to denote reference to the whole section. | 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq |
| § | section number | 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq |
*Adapted from the U.S. Senate's Key to Legislative Citations
Need Help?
Finding Cited Information
- GovInfo Citation SearchUse this tool from the Federal Government to use drop down boxes to enter the information from your citation.
- Proquest CongressionalFor older materials, used the advanced search function to select the collection and dates you have from your citation.
- Government Information DepartmentVisit the Government Information Department to find physical materials.
