How to cite a statute (code)

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format, B12 / R12.

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format for a statute (code), governed by B12 / R12. Worked example, required elements, and the rules that apply.

A codified statute — U.S.C. or a state code.

Example

1 U.S.C. § 1.

Governing rules

B12 / R12

• 12 — statutes.
• 12.3 — current official and unofficial codes: code name, section, and year.

Required elements

• Code name
• Section

Optional elements

• Title number (federal)
• Chapter (e.g. Mass.)
• Title (state codes, e.g. Del.) — T1 puts a state's title after the code: “Del. Code Ann. tit. 13, § 1301”.
• Additional sections (one per line) — R3.3(b): multiple sections take “§§” and are joined with commas.
• Publisher
• Year of the code edition

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