The Legislative Process and Publications
Finding Government Documents on the Web
Search Tips
As you search for something, you can better find it by asking the following questions. Each of these answers may help you determine what publication or collection will hold an answer and will indicate whether the material may be digitized.
Who created it?
- The House of Representatives? The Senate? A Committee? The President? An Agency?
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What format was it created in?
- Is it a law? A rule? Remarks? Testimony? A Report? An Agency Publication?
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When was it created?
- Before 1865? After 1976? After 1995? Is it currently being debated?
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Consult the Legislative Process graphic to identify which collections and formats you should search.
Digital Databases for Government Information
- Govinfo
Govinfo is a site produced by the United States Government Publishing Office (GPO) that provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government. It is the official replacement for Federal Digital System (FDsys). GovInfo includes materials from Congress, Executive Branch officials and agencies, and Regulatory Information. Dates available range from 1994-2018. Congressional Record from 1891-2018. This link opens in a new window
- HathiTrust
HathiTrust is a shared digital repository, incorporating digitized content from some of the largest research libraries in the United States. It's U.S. Federal Documents Program provides open access to over 1 million documents produced by the federal government.
- Presidential Materials/Records
Presidential materials after 1928 are maintained by libraries run by the National Archives. Some presidential materials are held by the Library of Congress. Click here for more information.
- History of Bills Collection
This collection from govinfo.gov records legislative actions. Materials are available online from 1984 to 2017.
- Committee Work 1789-2010
The subscription-based digital Congressional Serial Set has an extensive range of committee work from 1789 to 2010.
- Committee Work 1995-2017
These collections from govinfo.gov host congressional committee materials produced from 1995-2017.
- Congressional Record
Govinfo.gov's bound Congressional Record has been digitized from 1873 to 2017. This includes the entire run of this publication.
- Congressional Bills Collection
Congress.gov provides a wealth of information about various drafts and actions taken on legislation from 1989 to 2017. Updated daily.
- Presidential Papers, Presidential Remarks, or Press Releases
This libguide helps you find the records and resources for each presidential administration.
- Public & Private Laws
Govinfo.gov's collection of Public and Private Laws spans from 1995-2017.
- Statutes-at-Large
Govinfo.gov's Statutes At Large Collection covers 1951 to 2011, the most recent edition of the publication.
- Statutes-at-Large (1789-1950)
The Law Library of Congress has digitized the Statutes-at-Large as searchable PDFs. Their digitization includes volumes from 1789 to 1950.
- United States Code
The U.S. Code is available on govinfo.gov from 1994 to 2016, the most recent version of this publication.
- United States Code (1925-1988)
The Law Library of Congress provides free access to digitized historic editions of the United States Code. Digitized editions range from 1925 to 1988.
- Federal Register
The Federal Register is published daily. Govinfo.gov has digital editions of the complete Federal Register dating from 1936 to 2017.
- Federal Register (1936-1993)
The Law Library of Congress has made available digitized copies of the Federal Register dating from 1936 to 1993.
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Govinfo.gov makes the annual Code of Federal Regulations available from 1996 to 2017.
- Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
The federal government's catalog of post-1976 materials. It provides links to digitized historic material on federal websites. (Free resource)
- Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications 1895-1976
Subscription-based, comprehensive index to historical information published by the United States federal government published between January 1895 and June 1976.Note the SuDoc number and format and visit the Government Information Department to find it in our collections.
Citing Government Documents
More Depth
At a four-year university, you might find government documents collected and classified according to the SuDoc classification. For more information, try Understanding SuDoc Classification or SuDoc Call Numbers.
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