Skip to Main Content

US Government Documents Fundamentals

A guide to basic information about finding, evaluating, and using government documents for assignments, research, and your own information.

Types of Government Documents (Executive Branch)

Types of documents the executive branch prepares and distributes are :

  • reports
  • research reports
  • statistical publications
  • fact sheets
  • handbooks and manuals
  • presidential papers
  • budgets
  • maps and atlases 
  • pamphlets

 

Here are some examples.  Click on the link to bring up the actual document.  (Under the link is the citation of the document.)

Types of Government Documents (Legislative Branch)

Types of documents the legislative branch prepares and distributes are:

  • hearings (testimony)
  • congressional reports
  • committee prints
  • record of proceedings and debates (Congressional Record)
  • statutes
  • bills
  • laws
  • codes

 

Here are some examples.  Click on the link to bring up the actual document.  (Under the link is the citation of the document.)

Types of Government Documents (Judicial Branch)

Types of documents the judicial branch prepares and distributes are:

  • opinions
  • journals
  • decisions
  • orders of the court
  • oral argument transcripts

 

Here are some examples.  Click on the link to bring up the actual document.  (Under the link is the citation of the document.)

WSU Libraries, PO Box 645610, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-5610, 509-335-9671, Contact Us