Research Guides: Locating U.S. Government Publications: Begin Your Research

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Begin Your Research

Welcome to the US Government Publications Research Guide. Use this guide to locate information published by the United States Government.

Find Government Information -- Best Places to start for government information
Find Legislative document -- Search for bills, laws, committee prints, and other congressional publications
Find Executive documents -- Research regulations, federal agencies, executive orders, presidential proclamations
Find Federal Judicial documents -- Research court cases
Understand SuDoc Numbers -- How to read a SuDoc number, useful when navigating government document stacks
Write & Cite -- Get help with citing

The Basic Collection

Federal Depository Libraries are required to provide public access to the "Basic Collection", which includes:

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government
Budget of the US Government
Census of Population & Housing
Code of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation.
Congressional Directory
Congressional Record (Daily)
Constitution of the United States: Analysis & Interpretation
Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents
Economic Indicators
Economic Reports of the President
Annual reports from the President's Council of Economic Advisers to Congress on the state of the economy from 1947, via the Federal Reserve Archival System for Economic Research.
Federal Register
The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.
Public Papers of the Presidents of the US
Social Security Handbook
United States Code
United States Government Manual
The official handbook of the federal government with comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the U.S. participates, and boards, commissions, and committees.
United States Reports
United States Statutes at Large
USA Counties