Research Guide to the Federal Register
& Code of Federal Regulations

What is it? 

When a federal law is enacted it may require various governmental agencies to issue regulations to carry out that law.  The Federal Register is the official vehicle used to notify the public of those regulations. 

The Federal Register is published daily, excluding weekends and holidays.  The documents contained within the Federal Register are grouped into the following categories: 
1. Presidential Documents 
2. Rules and Regulations 
3. Proposed Rules 
4. Notices 
5. Sunshine Act Meetings 
6. Corrections

How do I use it?  

Regulations are cited by volume and page number.  The volume numbering is continuous, starting with volume 1 in 1936.  Page numbering is restarted with each calendar year. 

Example:     56 FR 29187  represents Volume 56, Page 29187 

Where is it located?  

Daily Federal Register 

Volume 1 (1936) to Volume 15 (1950) 

 353.005/U58f – Storage (request at the Circulation Desk)

Volume 16 (1951) to Volume 48 (1983) 

 353.005/U58f (microfilm) – Microfilm Center, 1st Fl., Library West

Volume 49 (1983) to date (microfiche) 

January 1983 to May 6, 1985 – GS 4.107:vol./no. (microfiche) –
   Documents Department, 2nd Fl., Library West 
May 7, 1985 to date – AE2.106:vol./no. (microfiche) -
   Documents Department, 2nd Fl., Library West

Volume 59 (1994) to date (paper) 

 353.005/U58f - Documents Department, 2nd Fl., Library West

Federal Register Annual Index 

Volume 1 (1936) to Volume 6 (1941) 

 353.005/U58f - Storage (request at the Circulation Desk)

Volume 7 (1942) to date 

 353.005/U58f - Documents Department, 2nd Fl,, Library West 

On-Line  

GPO Access: - Volumes 60 (1995) to Volume 65 (2000) http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html

Congressional Universe: From July 1, 1980
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/congcomp/

How do I cite it?  

To cite the Federal Register give the name of the section, the identifying agency report numbers, volume, issue, date and page number.  The section name should include what action is represented. 

Example: 

“Air Worthiness Directives; Dornier Model 328-100 Series Airplanes; Notice of proposed rulemaking,” 63 Federal Register 102 (28  May 1998), pp. 29150 - 29151. 
 

Code of Federal Regulations  

What is it? 

The Code of Federal Regulations is the annual codification of the final rules that are published in the Federal Register.  It is divided into 50 titles or subject areas.  Each volume is revised annually on a quarterly basis as follows: 

Title 1 through Title 16 as of January 1 
Title 17 through Title 27 as of April 1 
Title 28 through Title 41 as of July 1 
Title 42 through Title 50 as October 1

How do I use it? 

The  CFR is cited by title and part number. 

Example: 42 CFR  part 64  

To determine if a code volume has been amended since its last revision check with the List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA).  It is published monthly.  You can also consult the Cumulative List of Parts Affected.  It is located in the Reader Aid section of the daily Federal Register.

Where is it located? 

Latest Issue - Documents Department, 2nd Fl., Library West 

1938 – latest (microfiche) - Documents Department, 2nd Fl., Library West 

On-Line

GPO Access: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/index.html

Congressional Universe: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/congcomp/

How do I cite it? 

Cite the Code of Federal Regulations by giving the title, part numbers and edition. 

Example: 

“Low-Noise-Emission Products,” Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Pt. 203. 1997 ed.