How to Cite a Treaty

A written agreement between countries, such as the Paris Agreement.

What You'll Need

Treaty Title

Short title

Date Signed/Adopted

Parties/Jurisdiction

Depositary/Publisher

Treaty Number

Treaty Series

Record the treaty name, signing date, and parties involved. Include the treaty series citation (e.g., UNTS, TIAS) and entry-into-force date if different.

Example Citations

APA 7th edition

Paris Agreement, December 12, 2015.

In-text (Paris Agreement, 2015)

MLA 9th edition

Paris Agreement. United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 3156, United Nations, 12 Dec. 2015, p. 79.

In-text (Paris Agreement)

Chicago 18th edition (notes and bibliography)

Paris Agreement, December 12, 2015, 3156 United Nations Treaty Series 79.

Footnote Paris Agreement, December 12, 2015, 3156 United Nations Treaty Series 79.

Harvard (Cite Them Right 12th edition). Our Cite Them Right Harvard prints cases, legislation, bills, regulations and treaties without their citation numbers, so this guide shows no Harvard example. Add the numbers by hand, or use a legal style for legal work. What to check by hand

IEEE

[1]

“Paris Agreement,” United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 3156. United Nations, p. 79, Dec. 12, 2015.

In-text [1]

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.

Vancouver

Paris Agreement. Vol. 3156, United Nations Treaty Series. United Nations; 2015. p. 79.

In-text (1)

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.