Researching Treaties and International Agreements

Introduction Research Guides General Sources for Treaties U.S. Treaties and Agreements Indexes and Finding Tools Full-text Sources Status, Updating and Ratification Background Information U.S. Treaties and Agreements on the Web Treaties Where the U.S. is Not a Party, and Multilateral Treaties Bilateral Treaties Multilateral Treaties Collections on the Web Treaties By Popular Name Treaty Citations Print entire guide

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Treaties in Force (TIF) (Washington, DC: Office of the Legal Advisor, U.S. Dept. of State, 1950-) [Reference Desk KF4651 .A64].  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. Archived issues back to 1997 are also available.  TIF is also available on LEXIS (INTLAW/Treaties and International Agreements). Where possible, TIF on LEXIS links to the text of the treaty.

A Guide to the United States Treaties in Force (I. Kavass and A. Sprudzs, eds., Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein Co., 1982-) [Reference Desk KF4651 .A642].  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.

United States Treaty Index (15 vols.) (I.Kavass, ed., Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein Co., 1991-) [Reference Desk KZ235 .U58]. 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, see next.  The treaties are available on microfiche in Hein's United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (see below).

Current Treaty Index (I. Kavass and A. Sprudzs, eds., Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein Co., 1982-) [Reference Desk KZ235 .U58]. 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, see above.

Treaties and International Agreements Online, Oceana Online Web site, [1999 -].  Available on the Web from Oceana Publications (Boalt only).  Select "Treaties and International Agreements" from the "Product" menu. Access to treaties and agreements from 1783 to present.  A free treaty index is also available with limited information. 

CCH Congressional Index (Chicago, IL: Commerce Clearing House, Inc., 1937 -) [Reference Desk KF49 .C6].  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. Look under the tab "Treaties and Nominations."

Thomas: Treaties. This web site provides some information for locating treaty documents from 90th Congress to the present. Search by Congress, treaty document number, or word/phrase. Some full-text treaties are available.

Congressional Record Index (Washington, DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1873-) [KF35]. 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. Available on the web through Congressional Information (UCB only), 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 LEXIS or WESTLAW.