How Do I Retrieve Documents by Cite?

Take the following steps to retrieve a document by citation:

1. Enter the citation in the Search field. If you want to retrieve multiple documents at one time, enter the citations separated by semicolons.
2. Click Search.

The following sections provide additional information on retrieving documents by citation.

Viewing Search Results Instead of the Full Document

When you enter a citation and click Search, the service displays the full document by default (or a results list if you enter multiple citations).

To view search results for the citations based on filters you selected in the Search field, click Find references to this [case/code] under About This Document. For more information, see Find References to this.

Retrieving Multiple Documents at One Time

Take the following steps to retrieve a results list of multiple documents by citation:

1. Enter the citations in the Search box.
   Note: Use semicolons or commas to separate the citations.
2. Click Search.

The results display in random order. If any of the documents are Out of Plan, the Get it Now indicator appears. To see search results for the citations, click View references to... in the top left.

Note: The 5,000 character limit in the Search box applies to this feature. The limit can affect the number of citations you can enter to retrieve multiple citations at one time.

You can also use Get & Print to retrieve multiple citations or Shepard's^® Citation Service reports. For more information, see Get & Print.

Cases and Pinpoint Pages

If your citation is to a pinpoint page instead of the first page, the service retrieves the document and automatically takes you to the page number you entered. To use this feature, enter the citation in any of several formats. For example, enter the citation in one of the following formats to go to page 114 of the case:

• 800 F.2d 114
• 800 F.2d 111, 114
• 800 F.2d at 114
• 800 F.2d 111 at 114

Statutes and Subsections

If your citation is to a subsection, the service retrieves the document and automatically takes you to the subsection you entered. To use this feature, enter the citation in any of several formats. For example, to go directly to subsection d of 26 U.S.C.S. §1, enter the citation in any of the following formats:

• 26 USC §1(d)
• 26 USCS §1(d)
• 26 usc 1(d)
• 26 uscs 1(d)

Repealed or Renumbered Statutes and Codes

When the service does not find a single document for the code citation you entered, the Table of Contents (TOC) is displayed. It may not find a single document for one of the following reasons:

• The legislative body renumbered or repealed the section
• The citation otherwise does not exist
• The citation refers to a chapter or range of documents rather than a single document

To troubleshoot the reason the section you entered is not recognized, Click Search for... in the top right to display search results for the citation.