How to Cite a Government Website in MLA Format
Quick Guide: Citing Government Websites in MLA
To cite a government website in MLA 9, you must identify the authoring agency, the page title, the website name, and the URL. Start with the specific agency as the author, followed by the article title in quotes and the site name in italics. This guide provides the exact formulas and examples for accurate referencing.
Step 1: Identify the Author or Agency
Start your citation by determining who created the content. Most government sources do not have a single human author. In these cases, the government agency acts as the corporate author. Begin with the name of the country or state, followed by the specific department. For example, use United States, Department of Labor or California, Department of Education. If a specific person is credited, list them by their last name first, just as you would for a book or journal article. If the agency is both the author and the publisher, MLA 9 allows you to skip the author element and start with the title to avoid redundancy.
Step 2: Format the Page and Site Titles
Write the title of the specific webpage or report in quotation marks using title case. Immediately following the page title, provide the name of the parent website in italics. For instance, if you are citing a page about unemployment statistics, the page title might be "Unemployment Insurance Data," while the website name would be U.S. Department of Labor. Ensure you distinguish between the specific document and the platform hosting it. If the website name is identical to the agency name used in the author or publisher slot, you may simplify the entry by listing it only once as the publisher.
Step 3: Provide Publication Details and URL
Locate the publication date, which is often found at the bottom of the page or near the header. Use the Day Month Year format (e.g., 12 Oct. 2023). If no specific date is available, look for a "last updated" timestamp. After the date, include the URL. Omit the 'https://' prefix and end the citation with a period. If the source is a PDF hosted on a government site, treat it as a webpage but ensure the URL leads directly to the document. For undated sources, add an access date at the end: "Accessed 14 Nov. 2023."
MLA Government Citation Examples
### Works Cited Entry (Corporate Author) `United States, Department of Health and Human Services. "Mental Health Myths and Facts." MentalHealth.gov, 28 Feb. 2023, www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts.` ### Works Cited Entry (Individual Author) `Smith, Jane. "Climate Change Impacts in Alaska." Environmental Protection Agency, 15 May 2022, www.epa.gov/alaska-climate-report.` ### In-Text Citation `Government agencies often emphasize that "mental health is a universal human right" (United States, Dept. of Health and Human Services).`
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent errors when citing government sources:
- Missing the parent agency: Do not just list the sub-bureau; include the primary department (e.g., use "U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau" rather than just "Census Bureau").
- Including 'https://': MLA style requires you to strip the protocol from the URL.
- Using the wrong italics: Remember that the specific page title goes in quotes, while the website or database name must be italicized.
- Forgetting the period: Every Works Cited entry must end with a final period after the URL or access date.
Generate citations automatically
MLA, APA, and Chicago citations from any URL or DOI.