How to Cite the Federal Register: A Comprehensive Guide
The Federal Register is a daily journal of the U.S. federal government that contains proposed rules, final rules, notices of federal agencies and organizations, executive orders, and other presidential documents. It’s a critical resource for anyone needing to understand and navigate federal regulations. Properly citing the Federal Register is essential for academic papers, legal documents, and any work requiring accurate source attribution.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to cite the Federal Register in various citation styles, including Bluebook, APA, MLA, and Chicago. We’ll cover the general format, specific examples, and address common challenges encountered when citing this important government publication.
## Why Accurate Citations Matter
Before delving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand why accurate citations are paramount:
* **Credibility:** Proper citations demonstrate thorough research and lend credibility to your work.
* **Academic Integrity:** Avoiding plagiarism is a fundamental principle of academic integrity. Accurate citations give credit where it’s due.
* **Reproducibility:** Citations allow readers to locate the original source material and verify your information.
* **Legal Compliance:** In legal contexts, accurate citations are essential for supporting arguments and adhering to court rules.
## Understanding the Federal Register
The Federal Register is published daily by the Office of the Federal Register (OFR), a component of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). It is the official journal of the federal government of the United States that contains government agency rules, proposed rules, and public notices. It includes:
* **Rules and Regulations:** These are legally binding requirements issued by federal agencies.
* **Proposed Rules:** These are rules that agencies are considering implementing; they are open for public comment.
* **Notices:** These are announcements of public meetings, hearings, grant opportunities, and other agency activities.
* **Presidential Documents:** Executive orders, proclamations, and other official documents issued by the President.
Each document in the Federal Register is assigned a unique Federal Register (FR) citation, which includes the volume number, the abbreviation “FR,” the page number, and the date of publication.
## General Format for Citing the Federal Register
While specific citation styles vary, the fundamental elements of a Federal Register citation remain consistent. Generally, you’ll need the following information:
* **Title of the Document:** The specific name or subject of the rule, regulation, or notice.
* **Volume Number:** The volume number of the Federal Register.
* **Federal Register Abbreviation:** “FR”.
* **Page Number:** The starting page number of the document.
* **Date of Publication:** The date the Federal Register was published.
* **Agency (Optional but Often Recommended):** The agency responsible for the document.
## Citing the Federal Register in Different Styles
Let’s explore how to cite the Federal Register in the most common citation styles:
### 1. Bluebook Citation
The Bluebook is the authoritative citation guide for legal writing. Here’s how to cite the Federal Register according to the Bluebook:
**Rule for Final Rules and Regulations:**
*Format:* Agency Name, *Title of Regulation*, Volume No. Fed. Reg. Page No. (Date).
*Example:* Environmental Protection Agency, *National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards; and Establishment of GACT Floor*, 67 Fed. Reg. 75,756 (Dec. 9, 2002).
**Rule for Proposed Rules:**
*Format:* Agency Name, *Title of Proposed Rule*, Volume No. Fed. Reg. Page No. (Date) (proposed rule).
*Example:* Department of Homeland Security, *Real ID Act Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards; Proposed Rule*, 73 Fed. Reg. 66,648 (Nov. 10, 2008) (proposed rule).
**Key Considerations for Bluebook:**
* **Agency Name:** Use the official name of the issuing agency.
* **Title of Regulation:** Use the full title of the regulation, italicized.
* **Volume No.:** The volume number precedes “Fed. Reg.”
* **Page No.:** The starting page number of the document.
* **Date:** The date is enclosed in parentheses.
* **Proposed Rule Designation:** Add “(proposed rule)” at the end of the citation for proposed rules.
### 2. APA Citation
APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences. Here’s how to cite the Federal Register in APA format:
**Format:**
Agency Name. (Year, Month Day). *Title of regulation*. *Federal Register*, *Volume*(Issue), Page-Page.
**Example:**
Environmental Protection Agency. (2002, December 9). *National emission standards for hazardous air pollutants: Generic maximum achievable control technology standards; and establishment of GACT floor*. *Federal Register*, *67*(236), 75756-75775.
**In-Text Citation (APA):**
* (Environmental Protection Agency, 2002)
* (EPA, 2002) (if the agency is abbreviated earlier in the text)
**Key Considerations for APA:**
* **Agency Name:** Spell out the full agency name in the first citation; subsequent citations can use abbreviations (e.g., EPA).
* **Date:** The date includes the year, month, and day.
* **Title of Regulation:** Italicize the title of the regulation.
* **Federal Register:** Italicize “Federal Register.”
* **Volume and Issue:** Include the volume number and, if available, the issue number in parentheses.
* **Page Range:** Indicate the full page range of the document.
### 3. MLA Citation
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is widely used in the humanities. Here’s how to cite the Federal Register in MLA format:
**Format:**
Agency Name, *Title of Regulation*. *Federal Register*, Volume, Number, Date, Page(s).
**Example:**
Environmental Protection Agency, *National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards; and Establishment of GACT Floor*. *Federal Register*, vol. 67, no. 236, 9 Dec. 2002, pp. 75756-75775.
**In-Text Citation (MLA):**
* (Environmental Protection Agency)
* (EPA)
**Key Considerations for MLA:**
* **Agency Name:** Use the full agency name.
* **Title of Regulation:** Italicize the title of the regulation.
* **Federal Register:** Italicize “Federal Register.”
* **Volume, Number, and Date:** Include the volume number, issue number (if available), and date.
* **Page(s):** Use “p.” for a single page and “pp.” for a page range.
### 4. Chicago Citation
Chicago style is used in a variety of disciplines, including history and some areas of the humanities and social sciences. There are two main Chicago styles: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date.
**A. Notes and Bibliography Style:**
*Format (Notes):*
Agency Name, “Title of Regulation,” *Federal Register* Volume, no. (Number) (Date): Page(s).
*Format (Bibliography):*
Agency Name. “Title of Regulation.” *Federal Register* Volume, no. (Number) (Date): Page(s).
*Example (Note):*
Environmental Protection Agency, “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards; and Establishment of GACT Floor,” *Federal Register* 67, no. 236 (December 9, 2002): 75756-75775.
*Example (Bibliography):*
Environmental Protection Agency. “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards; and Establishment of GACT Floor.” *Federal Register* 67, no. 236 (December 9, 2002): 75756-75775.
**B. Author-Date Style:**
*Format:*
Agency Name (Year). “Title of Regulation.” *Federal Register* Volume, no. (Number): Page(s). Date of Publication.
*Example:*
Environmental Protection Agency (2002). “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards; and Establishment of GACT Floor.” *Federal Register* 67, no. 236: 75756-75775. December 9, 2002.
**In-Text Citation (Chicago Author-Date):**
* (Environmental Protection Agency 2002)
* (EPA 2002)
**Key Considerations for Chicago:**
* **Agency Name:** Use the full agency name.
* **Title of Regulation:** Enclose the title of the regulation in quotation marks.
* **Federal Register:** Italicize “Federal Register.”
* **Volume, Number, and Date:** Include the volume number, issue number (if available), and date.
* **Page(s):** Indicate the full page range.
* **Notes and Bibliography vs. Author-Date:** Choose the style that aligns with the specific requirements of your discipline or publication.
## Finding Information in the Federal Register
Navigating the Federal Register can be daunting, but several resources can help you find the information you need:
* **FederalRegister.gov:** The official website of the Federal Register, maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). It allows you to search by keyword, agency, date, and other criteria.
* **govinfo.gov:** A service of the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) that provides access to official publications, including the Federal Register.
* **Westlaw and LexisNexis:** Commercial legal research databases that offer comprehensive access to the Federal Register and related legal materials.
* **Agency Websites:** Many federal agencies maintain their own websites with links to rules, regulations, and notices published in the Federal Register.
## Common Challenges and Solutions
Citing the Federal Register can present some challenges. Here are a few common issues and how to address them:
* **Long Titles:** Regulations often have lengthy titles. You can shorten the title in subsequent citations, but always provide the full title in the first citation.
* **Multiple Agencies:** Sometimes, multiple agencies are involved in a regulation. Cite the primary agency responsible for the document.
* **Finding the Volume and Page Number:** Ensure you accurately identify the volume and page number. Double-check the information on FederalRegister.gov.
* **Proposed vs. Final Rules:** Clearly indicate whether you are citing a proposed rule or a final rule in your citation.
* **Amendments and Revisions:** Be aware that regulations can be amended or revised over time. Cite the most current version of the regulation.
## Examples of Federal Register Citations in Different Contexts
Let’s examine how Federal Register citations might appear in different contexts:
**1. Academic Paper (APA Style):**
“The Environmental Protection Agency (2002) established new standards for hazardous air pollutants (EPA, 2002). These standards are outlined in the *National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards; and Establishment of GACT Floor* (*Federal Register*, *67*(236), 75756-75775).”
**2. Legal Brief (Bluebook Style):**
“The Department of Labor defines ’employee’ under the Fair Labor Standards Act. *See* Definition of ‘Employee’ Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 86 Fed. Reg. 15,372 (Mar. 24, 2021).”
**3. Policy Report (Chicago Style):**
“The Department of Health and Human Services (2020) issued a rule regarding interoperability (HHS 2020). The rule, “21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program,” *Federal Register* 85, no. 93: 25642-25964 (May 6, 2020), aims to improve data sharing in healthcare.”
## Best Practices for Citing the Federal Register
To ensure accuracy and consistency when citing the Federal Register, follow these best practices:
* **Consult the Relevant Style Guide:** Always refer to the official style guide for the citation style you are using (e.g., The Bluebook, APA Publication Manual, MLA Handbook, The Chicago Manual of Style).
* **Use Official Sources:** Obtain citation information directly from the Federal Register or FederalRegister.gov.
* **Double-Check Your Citations:** Carefully review each citation for accuracy and completeness.
* **Be Consistent:** Maintain a consistent citation style throughout your document.
* **Keep Track of Your Sources:** Use a citation management tool (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote) to organize your sources and generate citations automatically.
## Conclusion
Citing the Federal Register accurately is a crucial skill for anyone working with federal regulations, academic research, or legal documents. By understanding the general format, following the guidelines of specific citation styles, and utilizing available resources, you can ensure that your citations are clear, complete, and credible. This comprehensive guide provides the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of citing the Federal Register effectively. Remember to always consult the relevant style guide for the most up-to-date information and specific requirements. With practice and attention to detail, you can confidently cite the Federal Register and enhance the integrity of your work.