Widener Law Commonwealth Library FAQs

The following samples cover basic citation format for statutes & session law sources. Always consult the Bluebook for additional information on correct citation format.

Cite to the name of the act (if one exists) or to the date of the act if a name is not apparent, the Public Law number, the section (if citing to a specific section within the act), the volume, the title of the session law publication, the page number on which the act begins (if pinpoint citing also include the page number to which you are citing), and the year of enactment (but omit the year if the same year is part of the name of the act). See R. 12.4, B12.1.1.  If a month is present in the date portion of the citation, abbreviate it according to Table 12. 

Name apparent, pinpoint citing to a specific section of the act:

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Pub. L. No. 91-190, § 205, 83 Stat. 852, 855 (1970).

Name unknown, citing to the act as a whole: (Since the year is the same year that is in the act's name, it is not necessary to repeat it at the end of the cite)

Act of July 19, 1985, Pub. L. No. 99-68, 99 Stat. 57.

For session laws not yet published in the United States Statutes at Large or if citing to an unofficial source: See the format for unofficial sources at R. 12.6 (pp. 127-128).

Act of July 9, 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-71, 2004 U.S.C.C.A.N. (117 Stat. 887) 183.