How to Cite a Government Document in Harvard (Cite Them Right)
Learn how to cite government reports, legislation, and official documents in Harvard format (Cite Them Right). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
Harvard Reference List Format
Here is the standard Harvard format for citing a government document in your reference list:
Agency Name (Year) Title of document. Place: Publisher. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Harvard In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Agency Name, 2024)
Narrative
Agency Name (2024) reports...
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your government document.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Harvard (Cite Them Right) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Harvard requirements.
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Cite in Harvard Now →Cite a Government Document in Other Styles
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