What is the basic Bluebook format for citing an executive order?

The format is: Exec. Order No. [Number], [Day Month Year], [Federal Register or Other Citation]. Include the executive order number, the president's name (if helpful), the date signed, and official publication information.

Should I include the president's name in an executive order citation?

While the president's name can be helpful for context, it is not required in Bluebook executive order citations. The executive order number and date are the essential elements.

Where do I find the official publication source for executive orders?

Executive orders are published in the Federal Register and compiled in Title 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Federal Register citation is preferred, or use 3 C.F.R. if available.

How to Cite an Executive Order in Bluebook Format

Understanding Executive Order Citations in Bluebook

Executive orders are directives issued by the President of the United States that have the force of law. These presidential orders establish policies, create regulations, and delegate authority to federal agencies. Bluebook format provides specific citation rules that help readers locate official executive order documents.

Basic Executive Order Citation Format

The standard Bluebook format for executive orders is: Exec. Order No. [Number], [Federal Register Citation] ([Date]).

Include the abbreviation “Exec. Order No.,” the numerical designation of the order, publication source, and date in parentheses.

Executive Order with Federal Register Citation

When citing from the Federal Register:

Exec. Order No. 14,000, 87 Fed. Reg. 15,000 (Mar. 15, 2022).

The Federal Register citation includes the volume number, the abbreviation “Fed. Reg.,” the page number, and the publication date.

Executive Order Codified in C.F.R.

When executive order text appears in the Code of Federal Regulations:

Exec. Order No. 13,000, 3 C.F.R. § 1 (2022).

Use Title 3 of the C.F.R., which compiles recent executive orders, as an alternative to Federal Register citation.

Executive Order with President’s Name

For clarity, you may include the president’s name:

Exec. Order No. 14,000 (Biden), 87 Fed. Reg. 15,000 (Mar. 15, 2022).

While optional, this can help readers understand the historical context of the order.

Recent Executive Order

For recently issued orders not yet in the C.F.R.:

Exec. Order No. 14,100, 89 Fed. Reg. 20,000 (Mar. 10, 2024) (economic policy).

You may add a descriptive parenthetical indicating the subject of the executive order.

In-Text Citations for Executive Orders

In Bluebook legal writing, executive order citations appear in footnotes:

Exec. Order No. 14,000, 87 Fed. Reg. 15,000 (Mar. 15, 2022).

For subsequent citations, use the shortened form:

Exec. Order No. 14,000.

Examples for Different Executive Order Types

National Security Order

Exec. Order No. 13,501, 72 Fed. Reg. 32,437 (June 8, 2007) (federal contractor compliance).

Environmental Policy Order

Exec. Order No. 14,008, 86 Fed. Reg. 7,619 (Jan. 27, 2021) (climate and environmental justice).

Government Operations Order

Exec. Order No. 14,030, 86 Fed. Reg. 51,585 (Sept. 9, 2021) (competition in the economy).

Immigration Policy Order

Exec. Order No. 13,767, 82 Fed. Reg. 8,793 (Jan. 25, 2017) (border security and immigration enforcement).

Citing Specific Sections

When referencing a particular section of an executive order:

Exec. Order No. 14,000, § 2, 87 Fed. Reg. 15,000 (Mar. 15, 2022).

Include the section number to direct readers to the specific provision cited.

Using GenText for Executive Order Citations

GenText streamlines executive order citation in Bluebook format by organizing order numbers, Federal Register citations, and dates. The tool ensures correct abbreviations and proper formatting.

Finding Executive Orders

Locating official executive order documents:

Federal Register (federalregister.gov)
Government Publishing Office (govinfo.gov)
White House briefing room (whitehouse.gov)
National Archives (archives.gov)
Office of the Federal Register

Common Executive Order Abbreviations

Standard abbreviations in executive order citations:

Exec. Order No. (Executive Order Number)
Fed. Reg. (Federal Register)
C.F.R. (Code of Federal Regulations)
3 C.F.R. (Title 3 of the C.F.R., which compiles executive orders)

Common Citation Mistakes

Incorrect abbreviation: Always use “Exec. Order No.” not “Executive Order” or “E.O.”
Missing publication source: Include either the Federal Register citation or C.F.R. reference.
Omitting the date: The date in parentheses is required for executive order citations.
Inconsistent order numbers: Verify the correct executive order number from official sources.

When to Cite Executive Orders

Executive order citations are important for:

Administrative and executive power analysis
Federal policy and regulation
Constitutional law discussions
Government operations and procedures
Immigration, environmental, and national security law

Executive Orders vs. Proclamations

Distinguish executive orders from presidential proclamations. Proclamations follow different citation formats and address different legal matters. The Bluebook provides separate citation rules for proclamations.

By following Bluebook guidelines for executive order citations, you ensure accuracy in citing presidential directives and enable readers to access official documents through the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations.