How to Cite Government Documents in MLA Format [2026 Guide]

Government documents provide authoritative data and policy information. This guide explains how to cite federal, state, and local government publications using MLA 9th edition format.

Government Document Format

Government Agency. Title of Document. Publisher, Day Month Year, URL or publication number.

Federal Government Documents

Congressional Report

United States, Congress, Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations. Climate Change and National Security. Government Publishing Office, 15 Jan. 2026, www.congress.gov/116/crpt/srpt250/CRPT-116srpt250.pdf.

Executive Agency Report

United States, Department of Education. National Assessment of Educational Progress: 2025 Results. 20 Jan. 2026, nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/2025.

Government Website Page

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines." 18 Jan. 2026, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html.

Supreme Court Decision

Brown v. Board of Education. 347 U.S. 483. Supreme Court of the United States. 1954. Legal Information Institute, www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/347/483.

Presidential Document

Biden, Joseph R. "Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis." 27 Jan. 2021,Federal Register, vol. 86, no. 19, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01.

State and Local Documents

State Government Report

California, Department of Public Health. California Health Statistics. 2025, www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Data-Statistics.aspx.

Local Government Document

New York City, Department of City Planning. NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. Mar. 2021, www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/plans/vision-2020-cwp/vision-2020-cwp.page.

International Government Documents

United Nations Document

United Nations. General Assembly. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 10 Dec. 1948, Resolution 217 A (III), www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights.

Foreign Government Document

United Kingdom, Parliament. House of Commons. Brexit Impact Assessment. Government Publishing Service, 28 Nov. 2018.

In-Text Citations

With Agency Name

According to the CDC, vaccination rates have increased significantly.

With Document Title

The report documents significant environmental changes (Climate Change Report).

Common Mistakes

1. Starting with Title Instead of Agency

Begin with the government body or agency, not the document title.

2. Incomplete Agency Hierarchy

Include the full hierarchy: Country, Department, Subdivision (if applicable).

3. Missing Report Numbers

Include publication or report numbers when available for identification.

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Conclusion

Citing government documents correctly acknowledges official sources and enables readers to access authoritative public information for verification and further research.