Treaties Research*

This guide provides research strategies and links to online sources for U.S. treaties and agreements. Call numbers for print publications available in the Ralph J. Bunche Library are indicated in parenthesis after the title of the publication. LexisNexis and WESTLAW links are directly hot linked if the reader has a password; otherwise, please contact a Reference Librarian at 202 647-1099.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

A. International Treaties and Agreements

B. U.S. Treaties and Agreements

C. Ratification and Implementation of U.S. Treaties and Agreements

II. Researching U.S. Treaties and Agreements

A. Research Guides

B. Forms of Publication

C. Indexes and Finding Tools

D. Full-text Sources

E. Status, Updating and Ratification Information

F. Background Information (Treaty Interpretation and Legislative Histories)

G. Treaties by Popular Names

III. U.S. Treaties and Agreements on the Internet

I. Introduction

A. International Treaties and Agreements

Treaties can be referred to by a number of different names: international conventions, international agreements, covenants, final acts, charters, protocols, pacts, accords, and constitutions for international organizations. Usually these different names have no legal significance in international law. Treaties may be bilateral (two parties) or multilateral (between several parties) and a treaty is usually only binding on the parties to the agreement. An agreement "enters into force" when the terms for entry into force as specified in the agreement are met. Bilateral treaties usually enter into force when both parties agree to be bound as of a certain date. For more information on treaties, see Thomas Buergenthal & Harold Maier, Public International Law in a Nutshell (JX 3091 .B84 2001)) (3rd ed., St Paul, MN: West, 2002) or Encyclopedia of Public International Law (JX 1226 .E5), vol. 7, pps. 459-514 (Amsterdam: North-Holland, 1981-).  An unofficial United States source of public international law  established through common law is the American Law Institute's Restatement of the Law Third:  the Foreign Relations Law of the United States (JX 1248 .A56 1987).  Part 3 relates to international agreements; provides some review of the Senate process and treaty practice in the U.S.

B. U.S. Treaties and Agreements

"Domestically, treaties to which the United States is a party are equivalent in status to Federal legislation, forming part of what the Constitution calls 'the supreme Law of the Land.' Yet, the word treaty does not have the same meaning in the United States and in international law."¹ The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties defines a treaty "as an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation." ² Under United States law, however, there is a distinction made between the terms treaty and executive agreement. "In the United States, the word treaty is reserved for an agreement that is made 'by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate' (Article II, section 2, clause 2 of the Constitution). International agreements not submitted to the Senate are known as 'executive agreements' in the United States." ³ Generally, a treaty is a binding international agreement and an executive agreement applies in domestic law only. Under international law, however, both types of agreements are considered binding. Regardless of whether an international agreement is called a convention, agreement, protocol, accord, etc.; if it is submitted to the Senate for advice and consent, it is considered a treaty under United States law.

For a brief overview of this issue, see Frederic Kirgis, International Agreements and U.S. Law, ASIL Insight, No. 10, May 1997.

C. Ratification and Implementation of U.S. Treaties and Agreements

When conducting U.S. treaty research, it is important to understand the ratification and implementation process. Negotiation of treaties and international agreements is the responsibility of the Executive Branch. The U.S. Department of State provides the Foreign Service with detailed instructions for the negotiation and conclusion of treaties and international agreements. These instructions are part of the Foreign Affairs Manual, Circular 175.⁴ Circular 175 summarizes the constitutional requirements for determining whether an international agreement should be considered a treaty or an agreement. It outlines the general procedures for negotiation, signature, publication, and registration of treaties and international agreements.

1. Outline of the Treaty Making Process:

• Secretary of State authorizes negotiation
• U.S. representatives negotiate
• Agree on terms, and upon authorization of Secretary of State, sign treaty
• President submits treaty to Senate
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee considers treaty and reports to Senate
• Senate considers and approves by 2/3 majority
• President proclaims entry into force

2. Outline of the Agreement Making Process:

• Secretary of State authorizes negotiation
• U.S. representatives negotiate
• Agree on terms, and upon authorization of Secretary of State, sign agreement
• Three types of agreements ⁵
• Agreement enters into force
• President transmits agreement to Congress (pursuant to Case-Zablocki Act)⁶

For more information on the ratification and implementation process, see Treaties and Other International Agreements: The Role of the United States Senate: A Study (KF 4989 .A25) or available online.(Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O, 2001); Loch K. Johnson, The Making of International Agreements: Congress Confronts the Executive (New York: New York University Press, 1984); and Robert E. Dalton, National Treaty Law and Practice: United States in Leigh, et. al., National Treaty Law and Practice: Austria, Chile, Colombia, Japan, The Netherlands, United States (Washington, DC: American Society of International Law, 1999).

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II. Researching U.S. Treaties and Agreements

Usually, the researcher is faced with the following research problems:

• Locating the text of the treaty or agreement.
• Obtaining status and ratification information.
• Looking at the intent through background documents (negotiation, legislative history).

A. Research Guides

These guides are good places to begin when researching U.S. treaties and agreements. Most contain information on both print and electronic sources.

Cohen, Morris L., et. al., How to Find the Law (9th ed., St. Paul: MN: West, 1989). See chapter 15 "International Law" for a detailed discussion of treaty research including treaty interpretation.

Jacobstein, Myron J. and Roy M. Mersky. Fundamentals of Legal Research (KF 240 .M469 2002) (8th ed., Westbury, NY: Foundation Press, 2002).   See chapter 20 "International Law" for a good discussion of treaty research sources.

Guide to International Legal Research (KZ 1234 .G85 2003) (5th ed., Newark, NJ: LexisNexisNexis 2003).

Germain, Claire M. Germain's Transnational Law Research (K 85 .G47 1991) (Ardsely-on-Hudson, N.Y.: Transnational Juris Publications, 1991-).

Rehberg, Jeanne, "Finding Treaties and Other International Agreements," in Accidental Tourist on the New Frontier: An Introductory Guide to Global Legal Research (Rehberg & Popa eds., Littleton, CO: Rothman, 1998).

Thorpe, Suzanne, "A Guide to International Legal Bibliography," (chapter 2) in Contemporary Practice of Public International Law (JX 3091 .I685 1997) (Schaffer and Synder, eds., New York: Oceana, 1997).

Web guides:

• ASIL Guide to Electronic Resources for International Law: Treaties. See also the other topical chapters for subject specific treaties.
• Fundamentals of Treaty Research - U.S. and Non-U.S. Electronic/Online Resources.
• International Treaties. Also provides links to many other guides on the Web (NYU Law Library).
• Treaties and International Agreements. (Government & Social Science Information, UC Berkeley Library).
• Research: International. (Boston University Law Library).
• Treaties Research Guide.(Duke University Law Library).

B. Forms of Publication

Until 1950, U.S. treaties appeared regularly after proclamation in Statutes at Large (KF 50 .U52) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1789-). Pre-1950 treaties can also be found in Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America (JX 236 1968), 1776-1949 (Bevans, ed., Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1968-1976). This 13 volume set is commonly cited by the compilers' name, Bevans. In 1950, United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (JX 235.9 .A331) (UST) (Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of State, 1950-) became the official source for all U.S. treaties and agreements. Several volumes are published annually, each with a non-cumulative subject and country index. Note that there is currently an 8-10 year lag time between ratification and official publication in UST. Online access to these publications is available through HeinOnline.

U.S. treaties first appear in slip form in Treaties and Other International Acts Series (JX 235.9 .A33) (TIAS) (Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of State, 1946-), a set of individually paginated pamphlets, consecutively numbered. This series has a lag time of 5-6 years. Before ratification, you can check on the status of a treaty in CCH Congressional Index (KF 49 .C6) (Chicago: Commerce Clearing House, 1938-), or online at Thomas .

After ratification, but still well before treaties appear in slip form, selected treaties (after they are cleared for publication by the Senate) are published in the Senate Treaty Document Series, formerly the Senate Executive Document Series. Individual documents are located via the Congressional Information Service Index (3^rd Floor Stacks near the Microfiche Cabinets) and published as CIS microfiche (3^rd Floor Microfiche Cabinets) or in the Serial Set (4^th Floor Vault). Also, you may search Treaty documents from 104th-108th Congress on GPO Access.

C. Indexes and Finding Tools

These tools are useful for locating citations for bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements.

1. Treaties in Force (JX 236 .A3) (TIF) (Washington, DC: Office of the Legal Advisor, U.S. Dept. of State, 1950-).  See also Hein OnLine. This annual publication lists and very briefly summarizes all U.S. treaties and agreements still in force, arranged by country and subject. Includes both bilateral and multilateral treaties and gives references to UST cites and TIAS numbers (if one exists). The primary use of TIF is verification of the existence of a treaty. TIF is also available on the Web, but the electronic version is no more current than the print. Since TIF is only published once a year, use Treaty Actions to update TIF.
2. A Guide to the United States Treaties in Force (REF JX 236 .A32 1999) (I. Kavass and A. Sprudzs, eds., Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein Co., 1982- ).   See also Hein OnLine. This annual publication should be used in conjunction with TIF. Access is by a combined subject index for both bilateral and multilateral treaties, as well as by numerical and country index.  Supplemented by Guide to the United States Treaties in Force: Current Treaty Action Supplement.
3. United States Treaty Index (REF JX 231 .U58 1995) (15 vols.) (I.Kavass, ed., Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein Co., 1991-). This is one of the most comprehensive sources for U.S. treaty information. There are subject, chronological, and country indexes.  This set is supplemented by Current Treaty Index (REF JX 231 .K382), see next.
4. Current Treaty Index (REF JX 231 .K382) (I. Kavass and A. Sprudzs, eds., Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein Co., 1982-). Also available on HeinOnline. This looseleaf index lists current treaties and agreements published in slip form in TIAS as well as those treaties without TIAS numbers. It supplements the United States Treaty Index (REF JX 231 .U58 1995) (see above).
5. Index to International Treaties and Agreements (E. C. Surrency, ed., Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1994 -). This index covers in-force treaties and agreements from 1783 to present. This information is available in electronic format as part of the Oceana Online Web site, TIARA (see next).
6. TIARA US Treaties Index and Quick US Treaties Index, Oceana Online Web site, [1999 -]. Available on the Web from Oceana Publications. Access to treaties and agreements from 1783 to present.
7. CCH Congressional Index (KF 49 .C6) (Chicago, IL: Commerce Clearing House, Inc., 1937 -). Two volume looseleaf set issued for each Congressional session. The Senate volume of this set contains a section on treaties pending before the Senate. It provides information on the status of treaties.
8. Congressional Record Index (J 11 .R5) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1873-). Provides a listing of treaty actions and discussion appearing in the Congressional Record under the heading "Treaties" and occasionally under the name of a particular treaty or its subject matter. May provide the text of a treaty or reservation to a treaty and it is often a good source for legislative history of a treaty. Some years are available on LEXISNEXIS (GENFED;RECORD), WESTLAW (CR), Thomas and GPO Access.

Journal articles can be a very good source for citations to and information about treaties. Search the full-text files on either LEXISNEXIS (LAWREV;ALLREV) or WESTLAW.

D. Full-text Sources

1. Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America (REF JX 236 1931) (H. Miller ed., Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O.,1931). Contains text of treaties from 1776-1863. Also, see Hein Online Treaty Collection.

2. Treaties, Conventions, International Acts, Protocols, and Agreements Between the U.S.A. and Other Powers (JX 236 1910) (Malloy ed., v.1-2; Redmond & Trenwith eds., v.3-4, Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1910 -). Contains text of treaties from 1776-1937; v.4 has cumulative index and chronological list of treaties. Also, see Malloy on Hein Online Treaty Collection.

3. Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States, 1776-1949 (REF JX 236 1968) (Bevans, ed., Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1968-1976). Supersedes Miller and Malloy; v.1-4 have the text of multilateral treaties and agreements in chronological order by date of signature; v.5-12 includes bilateral treaties and agreements in alphabetical order by country; v.13 has a cumulative country and subject index. Also, see Bevans on Hein Online Treaty Collection.

4. Treaty Series (JX 235.9 .A3) (TS) (October 1929-1945) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O, 1908-1946). Provides the text of treaties only. Merged with Executive Agreement Series (JX 236,9 .A31) to form Treaties and Other International Acts Series (JX 235.9 .A31) (TIAS).

5. Executive Agreement Series (JX 235.9 .A31) (EAS) (October 1929-1945) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O, 1929-1946). Contains international executive agreements only. Merged with Treaty Series (JX 235.9 .A3).

6. Treaties and Other International Acts Series (JX 235.9 .A33) (TIAS) (Washington, DC: Dept. of State, 1945-date). Combines and continues numbering of Treaty Series (JX 235.9 .A3) and Executive Agreement Series (JX 235.9 .A31).

7. Statutes at Large (KF 50 .U52) (Stat.) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O, 1789-). From 1776-1950, treaties and international agreements were published in Statutes at Large.  Volume 8 contains all treaties between the U.S. and other countries from 1778-1845.  Volume 64, part 3 contains a cumulative list of all treaties and agreements included in volumes 1-64.  Early volumes of Statutes at Large are available on A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation. See also Hein Online Treaty Collection.

8. United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (JX 235.9 .A331) (UST) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O , 1950-).  This is the cumulative collection of TIAS (slip copies of treaties) and is the current official collection of U.S. treaties and agreements.  There is a considerable lag time with this publication, about 12 years. Also, see first entry on Hein Online Treaty Collection.

9. Treaties and Other International Acts Series (JX 235.9 .A33) (TIAS) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1946-).  This series is the first official publication of new treaties and agreements -- slip treaty -- and is later bound in U.S.T.  There is a lag time of about 5 years. Also, see last entry on Hein Online Treaty Collection. Consolidated Treaties and International Agreements (CTIA) (Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1990-). This set is a continuation of the 231 volume set Consolidated Treaty Series (Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, 1969-1986) which covers 1648-1918. The continuation set covers from January 1990 to present (about a 6 month lag).  Available in electronic format as part of TIARA (see next).

10. TIARA - U.S. Treaties Researcher Database (Oceana Publications, [1999-]). Subscription database service from Oceana Publications. This database contains U.S. treaties and international agreements in force since 1783. It contains specific fielded data and the full-text of over 10,000 bilateral and multilateral treaties signed by the United States.  There are three levels of service: the Quick Index, the TIARA Index and the TIARA Researcher. Academic and government institutions may subscribe to the service annually and others may purchase access at an hourly rate.

11. CIS Index to Publications of the United States Congress (3^rd Floor Stacks near the Microfiche Cabinets) [and microfiche] (Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1970-). Treaties appearing in the Senate Treaty Document Series (Check the online catalog under the title) are indexed by CIS. Access is through subject matter of the treaty, title of the treaty, as well as through the heading "Treaties and agreements," and the treaty document number (assigned by the Senate). The index gives a cite to the CIS microfiche set where the full text of the treaty is located.  See also Congressional Information Service (CIS) Index on LEXISNEXIS (LEGIS;CISINX and LEGIS;CISHST)

12. International Legal Materials (REF KZ 64 .I58) (Washington, DC: American Society of International Law, 1962-). Selected treaties appear in full-text, often the first and only place they are published until the treaties come out officially. ILM is also available on LEXISNEXIS (INTLAW; ILM) from 1975 on; WESTLAW (ILM) from 1980 to present; and HeinOnLine from volume 1 (1962).

13. Senate Treaty Documents (Check the online catalog under the title) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1981-). Senate, House & Treaty Documents are available on the Web from 104th Congress to present. These documents include the text of treaties submitted by the executive branch to the Senate for its advice and consent, together with supporting documentation. Senate Treaty Documents (Check the online catalog under the title) are also available through the Serial Set (4^th Floor Vault), Congressional Information Service (CIS) Index from 1970 (3^rd Floor Stacks near the Microfiche Cabinets) , CIS publications, LEXISNEXIS (INTLAW, USTRTY), and WESTLAW (USTREATIES). Prior to 1979, these documents were called Senate Executive Documents.

14. Senate Executive Reports (Check the online catalog under the title) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., n.d.). Senate Executive Reports are available on the Web from104th Congress on. These reports are issued by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and include the Committee's analysis and recommendations concerning proposed treaties. They also include the text of proposed treaties, together with any conditions (i.e., amendments or reservations) recommended by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. These documents are also available in the Serial Set (4^th Floor Vault), CIS Index to US Senate Executive Documents and Reports (3^rd Floor Stacks near the Microfiche Cabinets) and other CIS publications.

Both LEXISNEXIS and WESTLAW contain U.S. treaties and agreements. Treaties can be located in the USTREATIES file on WESTLAW and in US Treaties on LEXISNEXIS (INTLAW;USTRTY). Both of these systems have many topical agreements and treaties: major trade agreements (GATT and NAFTA), International Economic Law Documents, and International Environmental Law Documents, and tax treaties.

Unperfected Treaties of the United States of America, 1776-1976 (REF JX 236 1776 .U56) (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, 1976-1994).  Six volume set includes treaties and agreements concluded by the U.S. which, for whatever reason, never entered into force between 1776 and 1976.

There are many collections of treaties and agreements, such as Tax Treaties and Extradition Laws and Treaties. Some of these sets are regularly updated in looseleaf format or available by subscription on the Web.

There are many treaties available on the Web. See below for some of the major collections.

E. Status, Updating and Ratification Information

Once a researcher has located the text of the agreement, the status of the document must be determined. This includes determining the parties of a multilateral agreement, entry into force date, and locating any amendments to the original agreement. Since status information is ever changing, locating current status of treaties and agreements has always been a challenging task for the researcher. Keep in mind that unratified treaties do not die at the end of the Congressional session; therefore, it is often important to determine where a treaty is in the ratification process.

Treaties in Force (see above). See also Hein OnLine.

A Guide to the United States Treaties in Force (REF JX 236 .A32 1999) (see above). See also Hein OnLine.

CCH Congressional Index (KF 49 .C6) (see above).

Current Treaty Index (REF JX 231 .K382) (see above). See also Hein OnLine.

U.S. Senate Web site, Treaties, provides the following information: a list of treaties received from the President, treaties on the Executive Calendar, treaties approved by the Senate, and listings of other recent treaty status actions, including treaties that were rejected by the Senate or withdrawn by the President, during the current Congress.

Shepard's United States Citations (LEXISNEXIS) (Colorado Springs: Shepard's/McGraw Hill, 1996-). Pre-1950 treaties are listed by Statutes at Large number and after 1950 they are listed by UST or TIAS number. Provides to treaties that amend earlier treaties.

The State Dept. used to issue a weekly newsletter called Dispatch (JX 232 .A32) It contained a section called "Treaty Actions" which included current information on bilateral and multilateral treaties. This publication ceased in print in 1999 and the monthly Current Treaty Actions information is now available only on the Web. Older editions of the Dispatch are available on the State Dept.'s website or on LEXISNEXIS (INTLAW; DSTATE) and Westlaw (USDPTSTDIS).

If looking for status and ratification information for multilateral treaties, many treaty secretariats and collections are available on the Web. See the chapter on multilateral treaties for more information.

If all else fails, call the Department of State's Office of Treaty Affairs at (202) 647-1345 for up-to-date treaty information.

F. Background Information (Legislative Histories and Treaty Interpretation)

There are many U.S. government documents that are useful for doing background research. Most of the documents mentioned below can be located with the same tools used for researching federal legislative histories, such as the CIS/Index to Publications (3^rd Floor near the Microfiche Cabinets) and Congressional Information Service (CIS) Index on LEXISNEXIS (GENFED;CISINX and GENFED;CISHST)

Senate Treaty Documents (Check the Online Catalog under the title) (see above).

Senate Executive Reports (Check the Online Catalog under the title) (see above).

Congressional Committee hearings, especially the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. See the U.S. Senate Web site, Treaties for current information about treaties received from the President, treaties on the calendar, approved treaties, and other recent treaty status actions. See also CIS/Index to Publications (3^rd Floor Stacks near the Microfiche Cabinets) and Congressional Information Service (CIS) Index on LEXISNEXIS. (GENFED;CISINX and GENFED;CISHST)

State Department documents, including Dispatch (JX 232 .A32) (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1990-1999), (also online ) international law digests, Foreign Relations of the United States (check specific dates in library catalog) (Washington DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1861-). Some years are also online .

Presidential documents, including Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (J 1 .A21) and online on LEXISNEXIS (GENFED;PRESDC). Volumes of Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States are available online.

Some legislative history research can be done on LEXISNEXIS and WESTLAW.  See LEXISNEXIS (GENFED;CISLH) and WESTLAW (LH database).

Look for "travaux preparatoires" or other commentaries in library catalogs or through periodical indexes.

Shepard's United States Citations (LEXISNEXIS) (Colorado Springs: Shepard's/McGraw Hill, 1996-). Pre-1950 treaties are listed by Statutes at Large number and after 1950 they are listed by UST or TIAS number. Provides citations to cases and statutes that cite or affect treaties.

G. Treaties By Popular Names

Often treaties and agreements are referred to by popular names which can cause some frustration for the researcher trying to locate them in indexes and finding tools. These sources may be helpful in deciphering the official name of the document.

Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776-1949 (REF JX 236 1968) (Bevans, ed., Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1968-1976). See also HeinOnline.

Periodicals (full-text and indexes), such as International Legal Materials (REF KZ 64 .I58). Also available on HeinOnline. (Washington, DC: American Society of International Law, 1962-).

Avalon Project: Alphabetical Title List.

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III. U.S. Treaties and Agreements on the Internet

Listed below are selected treaty collections available on the Internet. These sites focus on U.S. treaties and agreements only. For sites devoted to multilateral sources, see Stefanie Weigman's article on LLRX.com, published May 15, 2001.

Agreements Negotiated by the United States Trade Representative

Avalon Project (Yale Law School) Good collection of older, better known treaties.

Bilateral Agreements On Extradition, Judicial/Legal Assistance, Control Of Narcotic Drugs, And Prisoner Transfer By Country (United Nations Crime And Justice Information Network)
PDF Document containing a list of agreements between the U.S. and other countries.

DOSFAN Electronic Research Collection (U.S. Dept. of State, Foreign Affairs Network)
This is the electronic archive for the State Department, in partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties Electronic version of the treatise compiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler.

International Judicial Assistance (U.S. Dept. of State)

Income Tax Treaties (IntlTaxLaw.Com)

Investment Agreements in the Western Hemisphere: A Compendium (OAS, Foreign Trade Information System)

Trade and Investment Treaties, United States (OAS, Foreign Trade Information System)

Private International Law Database (U.S. Dept. of State)

TIARA (Treaties and Agreements Online) Oceana Publications.

Trade and Related Agreements Database (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration)

Treaties and International Law (provides access to the House of Representatives Internet Law Library, Treaties and International Law)

U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Treaties (U.S. Dept. of State)

U.S. Bilateral Investment Treaties (U.S. Dept. of State)

U.S. Bureau of Nonproliferation Treaties (U.S. Dept. of State)

U.S. Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (U.S. Dept. of State)

U.S. Bureau of Verification and Compliance (U.S. Dept. of State)

U.S. Income Tax Treaties (IRS)

Other resources and databases available to Department of State Staff members:

United Nations Treaties Collection
You will find a variety of United Nations databases including: Status of Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary GeneralUnited Nations Treaty Series (includes texts of over 40,000 bilateral treaties and subsequent actions in their authentic language(s), along with a translation into English).

Footnotes

¹Treaties and Other International Agreements: The Role of the United States Senate: A Study (KF 4989 .A25) and online, prepared for the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, S. Print 103-53, (Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1993) p. xiii. <back to text>

² Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 UNTS (JX 170 .U6), 311 (May 23, 1969), art. 2, s 1(a). See also UNTS online. <back to text>

^{3Treaties and Other International Agreements: the Role of the United States Senate: a Study}, supra note 1, p. xiii. <back to text>

^{4Treaties and Other International Agreements, Chapter 700, Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 11}, (Washington, DC: US Department of State, revised February 25, 1985). <back to text>

^{5 Agreements based on the President's Constitutional authority (executive agreements), agreements pursuant to legislation or Congressional-Executive agreement, and agreements pursuant to treaty (authorization is based on a treaty previously ratified by U.S.). <back to text>}

⁶ 1 U.S.C. ¡¦12b (available on GPOACCESS) <back to text>

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*as originally published May 15, 2001 on LLRX.com by Marci Hoffman. Used with permission of the author.

Marci Hoffman is the International & Foreign Law Librarian at the Bolt Law School Library, University of California at Berkeley. In addition to her reference and research expertise, Marci often lectures and writes on foreign and international legal research. Marci and Prof. David Weissbrodt also designed and maintain the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library on the Web. She is the co-editor and an author of the ASIL Guide to Electronic Resources for International Law.

[Editor's Note: Please also see Stefanie Weigmann's guide to Researching Non-U.S. Treaties, published May 15, 2001.]