Cite a government report in Chicago (author-date)
Government reports often make the agency the author, publisher, and institutional source at the same time. In Chicago (author-date) (17th ed.), report numbers and department names keep the reference traceable without inventing an individual author. Use the title page or cover for the official agency name, publication year, report number, publisher convention, and stable URL.
Chicago (author-date) rules for a government report
- Agency or department name is the author when no individual author is credited.
- Year is the official publication year on the report cover or title page.
- Report title is italicized.
- Include the report number exactly as printed.
- Use the agency publisher and stable report URL when available.
- Include the issuing body and report number before the URL.
Worked example
Chicago (author-date) · government reportA real government report formatted using the Chicago (author-date) rules above.
NASA. 2022. "NASA strategic plan 2022." NASA. accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/fy22-nasa-strategic-plan.pdf.
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