Cite the U.S. Code, state codes, constitutions, court rules, and regulations.
01
Federal statutes
Cite the U.S. Code by title, "U.S.C.", the section symbol, and the section: 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Put a space after §. For several sections, double the symbol: §§ 2000e–2000e-17.
Formal citation style adds the year of the code edition in parentheses, such as 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2018). Many court documents leave the year out for statutes currently in force. Follow your court's or professor's preference, and be consistent.
Statute
42 U.S.C. § 1983
Range of sections
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e–2000e-17
02
State statutes
State codes have their own names. Many cite the publisher and the year of the volume used in the parenthetical. Two common examples: Cal. Penal Code § 187 (West 2024) and N.Y. Penal Law § 125.25 (McKinney 2024).
When citing a state you don't know well, check that state's format in your citation manual before writing it.
03
Constitutions and court rules
Constitutions use short words: art. (article), amend. (amendment), § (section), and cl. (clause). Write amendment numbers in Roman numerals. Provisions currently in force take no date.
Court rules are cited without a date: Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(2)(A), Fed. R. Crim. P. 11.
Article
U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 3
Amendment
U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1
Rule
Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a)
04
Regulations
Cite the Code of Federal Regulations by title, "C.F.R.", section, and the year of the edition: 40 C.F.R. § 52.21 (2024).
A Federal Register cite gives the volume, "Fed. Reg.", the page, and the full date: 89 Fed. Reg. 1234 (Jan. 3, 2024).
Practice level 3
11 exercises with instant feedback. Score 80% or higher to pass.
