How to Cite a Constitution in MLA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 07/15/2025

Citing the United States Constitution or any constitutions in the Modern Language Association (MLA) format requires attention to the type of source being used, for example, if it is an official government site or a published book. MLA provides flexibility depending on the context of the citation. When referencing a constitution, the aim is to lead readers to the source in addition to making it evident which section of the constitution is on focus.

This article presents a step-by-step guide on how to cite a constitution in MLA style, including structure formats, in-text citation examples, and real-life references.

Citing a Constitution from an Official Website

The most conventional way of referencing the U.S. Constitution is from its transcript on the website of the National Archives. The online version is maintained by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and is a primary source. 

Citation	Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Court, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2024, www.mass.gov/doc/constitution-of-the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts/download.
Structure	Page Title. Website Name, Publisher, Year, URL.

In-text Citations from an Online Constitution

In MLA, page numbers are not given in in-text citations of constitutions. Rather, one is supposed to cite the relevant article, section, or amendment. Short titles are acceptable in the parenthetical citation in MLA.

Example	(Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, art. 2, sec. 1)
Structure	(Short Title, art. #, sec. #)

Citing a Constitution from a Book

From time to time, the Constitution is published in book or eBook format, possibly with annotations or commentary. These editions may be convenient for interpretation or academic analysis. In citing such a book-form constitution, MLA merely handles it like any annotated or edited book. 

Citation	The United States of America Constitution: With the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Edited by Pauline Maier, Barnes & Noble Classics, 2005.
Structure	Book Title. Edited by Editor First Name Last Name, Publisher, Year.

In-text Citations from a Book Edition of the Constitution

To cite specific sections of the Constitution in a book, MLA in-text citations should cite the amendment, article, or section cited. When the title has been mentioned in the sentence, the citation may contain only the constitutional portion.

Example	(U.S. Constitution, amend. 4, sec. 3)
Structure	(Short Title, amend. #, sec. #)

Citing a Constitution with No Specific Author or Editor

A constitution is occasionally cited from a book or document that lacks a specific editor or compiler. If this is the case, the citation should begin with the title.

Citation	The Constitution of the United States and Selected Writings of the Founding Fathers. Barnes & Noble, 2012.
Structure	Title of Constitution or Book. Publisher, Year.

In-text Citation

Example	(Constitution of the United States, amend. 2, sec. 1)
Structure	(Short Title, amend. #, sec. #)

In the absence of an editor, the format remains the same as MLA guidelines, with the title in italics first and then providing publication details.

Citing Foreign Constitutions in MLA

The guidelines are the same for citing foreign constitutions. In citing a translated or published version of a foreign nation’s constitution, include the title, translator or editor if any, publisher, year, and relevant article or section in in-text citation.

Citation	The Constitution of Mexico of 1917 as Amended. Translated by William B. Jones, Legal Classics Library, 2005.
Structure	Title of Constitution. Translated by Translator First Name Last Name, Publisher, Year.

In-text Citation

Example	(Mexican Constitution, art. 123)
Structure	(Short Title, art. #)

This enables us to differentiate among various constitutions and international legal writings become more convenient to refer to.

Key Points to Remember: MLA constitutions referencing requires careful attention to the structure of legal texts. Articles, sections, and amendments must be correctly designated. The nature of the source—online, book, annotated edition, or international treaty—determines the format of the citation. In-text citations must mirror the Works Cited entry for the sake of clarity and consistency. Always Clearly Identify the Type of Source: Determine whether the constitution is from a government website, a printed book, or a legal database. The format differs depending on the source type. Use the appropriate MLA format for each. Include Article, Section, and Amendment Numbers in In-Text Citations: MLA requires the utilization of constitutional elements such as articles, sections, or amendments in place of page numbers. Always use the correct abbreviation form: art., sec., amend. Italicize Titles in Works Cited Entries: In the Works Cited, italicize book and constitution titles. Article and section numbers should not be italicized in the parenthetical citation.  Abbreviate Long Titles in Parenthetical Citations: Abbreviate the title of the constitution in the parenthetical citation, if it is long, to improve readability, but ensure that it is still recognizable and matches the Works Cited entry. Include the Most Recent Publication or Update Date: For web sources, always provide the most recent publication or last updated date, not the original ratification date. This shows the version utilized is current and accessible.