How to cite a constitution

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format, B11 / R11.

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format for a constitution, governed by B11 / R11. Worked example, required elements, and the rules that apply.

Example

U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 2.

Governing rules

B11 / R11

• T10 — geographical terms.
• 11 — constitutions (T10 jurisdiction, T16 subdivisions; no date when in force).
• T16 — document subdivisions.

Required elements

• Jurisdiction

Optional elements

• Preamble
• Article
• Amendment
• Part
• Chapter
• Section
• Clause
• Paragraph
• Order
• Year adopted
• Year amended
• Year repealed — R11: a repealed provision names the repealing act and year.
• Year of the provision
• Year of the cited version
• Database citation

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