Guide to U.S. Treaties and International Agreements

A Treaty is an international legal agreement concluded between nations in written form and governed by international law. According to the U.S. Constitution, a treaty requires the advice and consent of Congress, known as ratification, before the U.S. may become a party to it. The President may enter the U.S. into certain types of international agreements, known as executive agreements, which do not require ratification if such authority is granted by legislation, an existing treaty, or the U.S. Constitution.

Other terms used for treaties and international agreements include: convention, protocol, covenant, charter, alliance, declaration, concordat, exchange of notes, agreed minute, armistice, memorandum of agreement, memorandum of understanding, compact, settlement.

Treaty research can become rather involved at times. Patrons should feel free to ask for assistance at the Social Sciences Library Reference Desk, Second Floor Paterno Library, or by calling 865-4861.

The following links provide information about Treaty resources at the Penn State Libraries:

• Official U.S. Treaty Sources
• Additional U.S. Sources - New Treaties
• Additional U.S. Sources - Historical Research
• Treaties of the World