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SPECIFICTION
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GovInfo

govinfo.gov

Free plan WebAPI
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Spec score 7.8 #13 of 31 in Legal Research Software

What it is

GovInfo is a free web and API service providing public access to official publications from all three branches of the U.S. Federal Government. Users can browse by alphabet, category, date, committee, or author, and search publication metadata. The API exposes content and metadata in self-describing packages, while selected collections offer machine-readable bulk files such as XML with schemas, stylesheets, and guides. Searches cover case law, statutes and regulations, and legal commentary, including opinions from more than 100 U.S. courts. PDF files receive digital signatures and a visible authenticity seal that can be checked in Adobe Acrobat or Reader. The preservation repository keeps at least two geographically separate archival copies, weekly backups, a standby recovery instance, virus scanning, and fixity checks; GPO reports ISO 16363:2012 certification from December 28, 2018. The responsive site works on mobile without a separate app or URL. A public-preview MCP server supports integrations with large-language-model workflows. Full text is limited to publications stored on GovInfo.

Spec sheet

Purpose
GovInfo provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Support
Users can report technical issues through askGPO, and the site provides help pages, tutorials, and handouts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Headquarters
Washington, D.C., United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · govinfo.gov
Founded
2016Read 28 Sep 2026 · govinfo.gov
Availability limit
GovInfo provides full text only for publications stored on GovInfo; it does not show records for documents that are not stored there.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Browsing
Users can browse publications by A to Z, category, date, committee, and author.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Bulk data
Select collections are available in machine-readable formats such as XML through the Bulk Data Repository, with schemas, stylesheets, and user guides for some collections.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Content submission limit
GPO generally does not alter submitted final publications to apply accessibility standards, though it makes efforts to make GovInfo webpages accessible to assistive technology.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Developer API
The API provides programmatic access to GovInfo content and metadata stored in self-describing packages.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Developer integrations
GPO offers a GovInfo MCP server public preview for integrating current GovInfo information into large language model workflows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Digital preservation
The preservation repository maintains at least two archival copies in separate geographic locations, weekly backups, a standby disaster recovery instance, virus scanning, and file fixity checks.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Mobile access
GovInfo uses responsive web design and says no app or separate mobile URL is needed to use it on mobile devices.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
PDF authentication
GPO applies digital signatures and a visible seal of authenticity to PDF documents so users can verify their integrity and source in Adobe Acrobat or Reader.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Repository certification
GPO states that GovInfo achieved ISO 16363:2012 certification on December 28, 2018.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov
Search and preservation
GovInfo combines an advanced metadata-powered search experience, a content management system, and a standards-compliant preservation repository.Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov

Plans and prices

Free public access Free Public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government Read 8 Oct 2026 · govinfo.gov

Every GovInfo plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free access to federal publications
  • Web and API platforms
  • Metadata browsing and search
  • Authenticated PDF documents
  • Machine-readable bulk collections

Limits

  • Full text excludes unstored publications
  • Submitted documents may lack accessibility changes
  • No dedicated mobile app

Who it suits

It suits readers and developers seeking U.S. federal publications, legal materials, metadata, or bulk files through web and API access.

Verdict

GovInfo combines public-document search, legal coverage, APIs, bulk data, and preservation controls at no charge. Confirm that the publication you need is stored on the service.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to GovInfoAll alternatives →