Citing the U.S. Constitution
Published February 10, 2021. Updated November 13, 2021.
To create a reference or citation for the U. S. Constitution, you will need to know the article, the amendment, and the section number.
The templates and examples below will show you how to cite the U. S. Constitution in MLA, APA, Chicago style, and Harvard referencing.
Easily cite the U. S. Constitution in the style of your choice using the Chegg Writing citation generator.
Citing the U. S. Constitution in MLA style
In-text citation example:
(“Constitution of the United States,” art. 1, sec. 2.)
Works cited entry example:
The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription. National Archives, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 4 May 2020, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript.
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Citing the U. S. Constitution in APA style
In-text citation example:
(U.S. Const. art. III, § 2)
Reference list entry example:
U.S. Const. art. III, § 2.
Citing the U. S. Constitution in Chicago style, notes-bibliography
Footnotes template and example:
U.S. Const., art. III, § 2.
Bibliography entry example:
U.S. Constitution, art. III, § 2.
Citing the U. S. Constitution in Chicago style, author-date
In-text citation example:
(U.S. Const., art. III, § 2)
Reference list entry example:
U.S. Constitution, art. III, § 2.
How to cite the U. S. Constitution in Harvard referencing style
In-text citation example:
(U.S. Constitution, art. III, sec. 2)
Reference list entry example:
United States Constitution (1787) Article III, section 2.
Writing a paper? Don’t forget to include a bibliography.
Citation Examples
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You do not need to cite the Declaration of Independence. However, if you want to cite it, include it only as an in-text citation and do not add any entry in the reference list or works cited list. Being a well-known document, the Declaration of Independence does not require a detailed reference entry. When you include the Declaration in an in-text citation, do not italicize the name of the document or enclose it in quotes.
You do not need to cite the Declaration of Independence. However, if you want to cite it, include it only as an in-text citation and do not add any entry in the reference list or works cited list. When you include the Declaration in an in-text citation, do not italicize the name of the document or enclose it in quotes.
MLA in-text citation template and example:
(Shortened Name of the Document)
(Declaration)
APA in-text citation template and example:
(Name of the Document, Publication Year)
(Declaration of Independence, 1776)
Note
If the Declaration of Independence is viewed on a website, you can include the name and publication date of the webpage in you APA in-text citation instead.
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