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Find Government Information

Government information can be complex to research and gather. You'll rarely find everything you need in a single location, and you may need to visit several sites to find the information you need. This guide will help you navigate the intricacies of locating government information.

What is it? Governments at all levels - local, state, national, and international - collect and publish valuable data on topics like healthcare, education, the environment, justice, and economics. Governments use data for planning, budgeting, and evaluating services, as well as informing their constituents.

Why use it? Government documents and data are authoritative, reliable, and crucial for informed research. From raw statistical data to in-depth policy reports, government documents cover a wide range of topics, and access to that information can provide a solid foundation for academic projects.

What is your research question? Clarifying your topic and scope helps you identify whether you need data, policy, historical documents, laws, or expert analysis.

What type of information do you need? Understanding the types of information you need will shape your research strategy. Different kinds of information reside in different places. For example, statistical data can be found on the websites of agencies overseeing your topic, while laws and regulations may be found in legislative codes or records.

Finding Government Information

Match your need to the right branch of government.

Knowing the branch helps you skip irrelevant sources.

  • Legislative branch: Laws, bills, hearing transcripts, committee reports
  • Executive branch: Regulations, administrative rules, enforcement data, agency research
  • Judicial branch: Court decisions, interpretations of law, case briefs

Consider the level of government.

Local, state, and federal governments may all produce related but different information.

  • If your research is about city zoning, start with a municipal planning department.
  • If your topic is state environmental policy, go to the state's Department of Natural Resources.
  • If you're looking at nationwide trends, begin with a federal agency.

Tip: Sometimes you'll need to "zoom in" or "zoom out," starting at one level and either expanding to other levels for completeness or narrowing to other levels for relevance. Since your topic might span multiple jurisdictions, relying on just one level can result in missing important information.

Start with the agency or body responsible for your topic.

The agency or branch that creates or manages the information is the most authoritative source. Identify which part of government has jurisdiction.

  • Public health → Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Workplace safety → Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Immigration → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Tip: Use the agency's own "Publications" or "Data" section first, because these are curated and usually easier to navigate than general searches.

Use government portals and databases.

Some government information is held in centralized collections.

  • USA.gov: General directory of federal agencies and services
  • Congress.gov: Legislation and congressional records
  • Data.gov: Raw datasets across agencies
  • National Archives: Historical and primary sources, including America's founding documents

Consider the timeframe.

Knowing the publication cycle helps you avoid searching for information that doesn't exist yet.

  • Census data is released every 10 years (with interim updates).
  • Economic statistics may lag by a month or quarter.
  • Legislative documents may appear online within hours, but official "final" versions could take days or weeks.

Search by topic or program name, not just by keywords.

Many government documents are indexed under program or initiative names.

  • Example: Searching for "Head Start" yields more direct results than "early childhood federal program."

Tip: Check if your topic is part of a larger initiative or falls under a specific law’s implementation. For example, the Head Start program was passed into law in the Head Start Act of 1981 (and then revised and amended in 2007).

Use library databases to complete your research.

Secondary sources can point you to the primary government document you need. They can also provide analysis and interpretations of government information.

  • Use scholarly journal articles, non-profit or think tank reports, or reputable journalism to identify document titles, report numbers, or agency names.
  • Then, go directly to the government source for the original version.
    • Use Legal Source to find scholarly journal articles covering legal topics such as criminal justice, international and federal law, organized crime, and medical, environmental, and human resource law.
    • Use CQ Press Collection to access information on current affairs and the US government.
    • Search ERIC or Education Source to find secondary sources on education policy and law.
    • Search the International Security and Counter Terrorism Reference Center for information on security and counter-terrorism from scholarly journals, government and NGO reports, country reports, and books.

Leverage librarians and How Do I guides.

Librarians often know "hidden" entry points or specialized subscription databases.

  • Use the Ask Us! service to receive database and website recommendations and research assistance.
  • Use How Do I guides to get help with specific tasks.
  • Attend a library webinar to get targeted help on searching, library tools, and subject-specific research.

Ask Us!

Have a question or need help?

Troubleshoot common web search problems.

Too much information

  • Include specific search terms (e.g., year, state, audience).
  • Use advanced web filters (date, file type).
  • Limit to .gov or specific .gov agencies (e.g., site:gov "juvenile justice" or site:ojp.gov "juvenile justice").
  • Browse the websites of the most relevant agencies.

Unfamiliar terminology or jargon

  • Search the web for the term along with the definition (e.g., "juvenile justice" definition).
  • Browse topic menus or indexes.
  • Search using both common and official terms.
  • Keep a list of synonyms and acronyms.

Publication delays/non-digitized documents

  • Check for "last updated" dates on available reports and use press releases or speeches for the most recent info.
  • For non-digitized records, check state archives, university libraries, the National Archives, or contact agencies directly for scans or copies of paper documents.
  • Use reliable secondary sources if originals aren't available.

Information is classified or privacy-protected

  • Look for public summaries or aggregated data.

  • File a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request if eligible.
  • Use reputable non-government sources for context.