US Statutes

Find the sections that cite this one

Changed on Nov 7, 2026

The USC and CFR sections whose text cross-references a given section.

Cost: 2 credits. Not-found, failed lookups, and sections in a corpus with no cross-reference index are not charged.

A section lookup tells you what a section cites; this is the other direction, which provisions elsewhere in the code depend on this one. That is the question behind "if this section changes, what else is affected".

Results are one row per citing section, never one row per matching chunk, best first. A section whose own text was read and does not name this one is dropped, not listed. Order: sections whose own text is confirmed to name this one, then by closeness to it (same chapter, same title, same code, other federal law, everything else), then by how focused the citing section is. A tax-code list that mentions a statute in passing ranks below the chapter that implements it.

Paging: limit is the page size (default 25, max 100) and offset the start. Read hasMore and pass nextOffset back as offset for the next page; total and totalCiters are the number of citing sections found (the size of this page is returned). It is the whole count only when totalCitersIsLowerBound is false. At most 5,000 candidates are read per call (the most-cited sections measured have about 3,000); when totalCitersIsLowerBound is true there are more citers than that, and the ranking covers only the slice that was read (in storage order), so a citer outside it can be missing from every page. Every page is priced as one call.

Scope: USC and CFR. State codes and Federal Register rules carry no section-level cross-reference index, so a section from either returns an empty list with a note explaining why, and is refunded. When note is null, an empty citers is a real answer: plenty of sections are cited by nothing.

Completeness: this reads references as the publisher wrote them, including the title-relative form a section uses for its own neighbours. A citation that the source never recorded in machine-readable form cannot appear here, so treat a result as evidence of a citation rather than proof there are no others.

get/api/v1/us/statutes/section/{act_id}/cited-by

Request

Base URL
https://api.vaquill.ai
Auth
- HTTP bearer
- or API key in header X-API-Key
TypeScript
https://skmtc.dev/vaquill/apis/vaquill-developer-api/docs/api/v1/us/statutes/section/:act_id/cited-by/get.ts
A function with typed inputs. Its response is checked against the schema.

Path parameters

act_idstring required

Section identifier, e.g. USC_T42_C21_S1983 (42 U.S.C. § 1983). Take it from a /us/statutes/search, /resolve or /divisions result; do not assemble one. A citation such as 42 USC 1983 also works and adds the /resolve price (see GET /us/statutes/section/{actId}). State session laws (SSL_ ids) are read at /us/session-laws/{sessionLawId}.

Example:USC_T42_C21_S1983

Query parameters

limitinteger

Page size: maximum citing sections to return.

Example:25

offsetinteger

Rows to skip. Resume with the previous response's nextOffset. A page past the end is empty and not charged.

Headers

Idempotency-Keystring nullable

Optional. 16 to 255 visible ASCII characters (a UUIDv4 works). Repeating the same request with the same key replays the original 2xx response for 24 hours without charging again. The same key on a different request is rejected. With the account's cacheQueryDerivedData retention setting off, no body is stored and a retry answers 409 idempotency_replay_unavailable, still without a second charge.

Example:3f9c2a1e-7b44-4d0a-9c1e-5a6b7c8d9e0f

Response

The section plus the sections citing it.

totalinteger

How many distinct sections cite this one across all pages, the same number as totalCiters (a lower bound when totalCitersIsLowerBound is true). The size of this page is returned.

returnedinteger

How many citing sections this page returned (the size of citers).

truncatedboolean

True when more citing sections exist beyond this page. Same as hasMore; page on with nextOffset.

totalCitersinteger

How many distinct sections cite this one across the scanned result, not just this page. The whole count only when totalCitersIsLowerBound is false; otherwise a lower bound, because the scan hit its ceiling.

totalCitersIsLowerBoundboolean

True when totalCiters stopped at the scan ceiling and more exist. The ranking then covers only the slice that was read (in storage order), so a citer outside it is missing from every page.

verifiedCitersinteger

How many of the leading citers had their own text read and confirmed to name this section. They always come first, so the first verifiedCiters rows across all pages are confirmed; the rest are listed in the cross-reference index but their text was not read (only the best-ranked candidates are read). A section whose text was read and does not name this one is dropped, never listed.

offsetinteger

The offset this page started at.

hasMoreboolean

True when another page follows. Pass nextOffset as offset.

nextOffsetinteger nullable

The offset that resumes after this page. Null on the last page.

notestring nullable

Set only when the answer is not a real zero. Reverse citation is built on the cross-reference index, which exists for USC and CFR; for any other corpus this explains that the section is out of scope and the call is refunded. When it is null, an empty citers means nothing cites this section.

processingTimeMsnumber

Server-side time for this request in milliseconds, excluding network transit. Useful for spotting a slow query; not billed on.

creditsConsumednumber

Credits actually charged for this call. Read it rather than assuming the list price: failed and refunded work bills 0.

Example response

{
  "section": {
    "source": "sct",
    "body": "(a) If within a reasonable time after written or oral notice...",
    "bodyUnavailable": true,
    "bodyUnavailableReason": "image_only_source",
    "bodyNote": "fetch_failed",
    "matchContexts": [
      {
        "text": "(a) An employer shall not retaliate against an employee who files a complaint",
        "highlights": [
          [
            7,
            15
          ],
          [
            26,
            35
          ]
        ]
      }
    ],
    "renumberedTo": "self:4651",
    "renumberedToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
    "transferredTo": "34:10105",
    "transferredToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
    "issueDate": "1999-05-25",
    "statutoryAuthority": [
      {
        "display": "15 U.S.C. 78o",
        "section": "78o",
        "title": 15,
        "type": "usc"
      }
    ],
    "implementingRegulations": [
      {
        "cfrTitle": 17,
        "display": "17 CFR Part 240",
        "part": "240",
        "partName": "General Rules"
      }
    ],
    "rescindedOn": "2016-07-01",
    "pendingAdoptions": [
      {
        "agency": "Department of Financial Services",
        "effectiveDate": "2026-09-23",
        "idNo": "DFS-23-26-00013-A",
        "issueDate": "2026-09-23",
        "scope": "part"
      }
    ],
    "adoptedAfterCurrentThrough": true,
    "responseBounds": {
      "truncated": true,
      "fields": [
        {
          "field": "publicLaws",
          "unit": "items",
          "total": 190,
          "returned": 50,
          "nextOffset": 50
        }
      ]
    },
    "effectiveDate": "2002-11-25",
    "effectiveDateRaw": "September 8, 1916",
    "historyEffectiveDate": "2009-06-19",
    "priorEffectiveDates": [
      "2004-12-17",
      "2012-11-01"
    ],
    "pendingAmendments": [
      {
        "id": "FRULES_FRCP_R26_P2027",
        "status": "approved_by_standing_committee",
        "cycle": 2027,
        "effectiveDate": "2027-12-01",
        "commentPeriodEnd": "2026-02-16",
        "sourceUrl": "https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/pending-rules-and-forms-amendments",
        "textComplete": true,
        "commentDocketIds": [
          "USC-RULES-CV-2025-0004"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "abstract": "This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for pesticides.",
    "agencies": [
      "Environmental Protection Agency"
    ],
    "agencySlugs": [
      "environmental-protection-agency"
    ],
    "topics": [
      "Environmental protection",
      "Pesticides and pests"
    ],
    "documentTypeLabel": "Rule",
    "documentSubtype": "Proclamation",
    "action": "Final rule.",
    "president": "George W. Bush",
    "signingDate": "2026-04-02",
    "executiveOrderNumber": "14179",
    "proclamationNumber": "10886",
    "instrumentNumberSource": "derived_from_text",
    "datesText": "This regulation is effective December 14, 2001.",
    "frVolume": 66,
    "frStartPage": 64768,
    "frEndPage": 64775,
    "wordCount": 6271,
    "issuingAgency": "Pollution Control Board",
    "adoptingCitations": [
      "37 Ill. Reg. 16539"
    ],
    "lawImplemented": "Section 4656.1, Public Resources Code",
    "lastAmendedDate": "2013-10-04",
    "amendmentNote": "Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 16539, effective October 4, 2013",
    "currencyYear": 2025,
    "reviewDate": "11/1/2028",
    "originalEnactmentDate": "1934-06-27",
    "originalEnactmentDateRaw": "June 27, 1934",
    "releaseDate": "2018-06-14",
    "documentNumber": "21-CA-211066",
    "caseName": "Dunn-Edwards Corp.",
    "forum": "Administrative Proceeding",
    "court": "U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts",
    "relatedDocuments": [
      "Consent Order",
      "Stipulation"
    ],
    "settlementAmount": "$16,500",
    "requesters": [
      "Preece, Inc."
    ],
    "program": "Old-Age and Survivors Insurance",
    "languageCode": "es",
    "volume": 1,
    "articleNumber": "1",
    "articleName": "Declaration of Rights",
    "ruleSetCode": "NDSUPCTADMINR",
    "edition": "2025",
    "relatedCitations": [
      "RCW 28A.150.290"
    ],
    "supersessionActions": {
      "modifies": [
        "Rev. Proc. 2011-47"
      ]
    },
    "subtitle": "11",
    "subtitleName": "AIR QUALITY",
    "publisherKey": "430000000310400000000000000000000",
    "versionId": "11948",
    "referencedShortTitles": [
      "Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act"
    ],
    "subjectNumber": "47",
    "audience": "All Persons Engaged in Marketing",
    "sourceCharStart": 263194,
    "sourceCharEnd": 264198,
    "matchSegment": "note",
    "matchNoteYear": 1993,
    "alternateCitations": [
      "4 L.P.R.A. § 2077"
    ],
    "expirationDate": "2029-03-01",
    "expirationDateRaw": "03-01-2029",
    "sourcePageStart": 114,
    "sourcePageEnd": 114,
    "displayLabel": "MPEP § 2165.03",
    "publicationDate": "2001-12-14",
    "topLevelTitle": "Title 9: Criminal",
    "externalUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists",
    "sourceUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists"
  },
  "citers": [
    {
      "source": "sct",
      "body": "(a) If within a reasonable time after written or oral notice...",
      "bodyUnavailable": true,
      "bodyUnavailableReason": "image_only_source",
      "bodyNote": "fetch_failed",
      "matchContexts": [
        {
          "text": "(a) An employer shall not retaliate against an employee who files a complaint",
          "highlights": [
            [
              7,
              15
            ],
            [
              26,
              35
            ]
          ]
        }
      ],
      "renumberedTo": "self:4651",
      "renumberedToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
      "transferredTo": "34:10105",
      "transferredToLabel": "section 10105 of Title 34",
      "issueDate": "1999-05-25",
      "statutoryAuthority": [
        {
          "display": "15 U.S.C. 78o",
          "section": "78o",
          "title": 15,
          "type": "usc"
        }
      ],
      "implementingRegulations": [
        {
          "cfrTitle": 17,
          "display": "17 CFR Part 240",
          "part": "240",
          "partName": "General Rules"
        }
      ],
      "rescindedOn": "2016-07-01",
      "pendingAdoptions": [
        {
          "agency": "Department of Financial Services",
          "effectiveDate": "2026-09-23",
          "idNo": "DFS-23-26-00013-A",
          "issueDate": "2026-09-23",
          "scope": "part"
        }
      ],
      "adoptedAfterCurrentThrough": true,
      "responseBounds": {
        "truncated": true,
        "fields": [
          {
            "field": "publicLaws",
            "unit": "items",
            "total": 190,
            "returned": 50,
            "nextOffset": 50
          }
        ]
      },
      "effectiveDate": "2002-11-25",
      "effectiveDateRaw": "September 8, 1916",
      "historyEffectiveDate": "2009-06-19",
      "priorEffectiveDates": [
        "2004-12-17",
        "2012-11-01"
      ],
      "pendingAmendments": [
        {
          "id": "FRULES_FRCP_R26_P2027",
          "status": "approved_by_standing_committee",
          "cycle": 2027,
          "effectiveDate": "2027-12-01",
          "commentPeriodEnd": "2026-02-16",
          "sourceUrl": "https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/pending-rules-and-forms-amendments",
          "textComplete": true,
          "commentDocketIds": [
            "USC-RULES-CV-2025-0004"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "abstract": "This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for pesticides.",
      "agencies": [
        "Environmental Protection Agency"
      ],
      "agencySlugs": [
        "environmental-protection-agency"
      ],
      "topics": [
        "Environmental protection",
        "Pesticides and pests"
      ],
      "documentTypeLabel": "Rule",
      "documentSubtype": "Proclamation",
      "action": "Final rule.",
      "president": "George W. Bush",
      "signingDate": "2026-04-02",
      "executiveOrderNumber": "14179",
      "proclamationNumber": "10886",
      "instrumentNumberSource": "derived_from_text",
      "datesText": "This regulation is effective December 14, 2001.",
      "frVolume": 66,
      "frStartPage": 64768,
      "frEndPage": 64775,
      "wordCount": 6271,
      "issuingAgency": "Pollution Control Board",
      "adoptingCitations": [
        "37 Ill. Reg. 16539"
      ],
      "lawImplemented": "Section 4656.1, Public Resources Code",
      "lastAmendedDate": "2013-10-04",
      "amendmentNote": "Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 16539, effective October 4, 2013",
      "currencyYear": 2025,
      "reviewDate": "11/1/2028",
      "originalEnactmentDate": "1934-06-27",
      "originalEnactmentDateRaw": "June 27, 1934",
      "releaseDate": "2018-06-14",
      "documentNumber": "21-CA-211066",
      "caseName": "Dunn-Edwards Corp.",
      "forum": "Administrative Proceeding",
      "court": "U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts",
      "relatedDocuments": [
        "Consent Order",
        "Stipulation"
      ],
      "settlementAmount": "$16,500",
      "requesters": [
        "Preece, Inc."
      ],
      "program": "Old-Age and Survivors Insurance",
      "languageCode": "es",
      "volume": 1,
      "articleNumber": "1",
      "articleName": "Declaration of Rights",
      "ruleSetCode": "NDSUPCTADMINR",
      "edition": "2025",
      "relatedCitations": [
        "RCW 28A.150.290"
      ],
      "supersessionActions": {
        "modifies": [
          "Rev. Proc. 2011-47"
        ]
      },
      "subtitle": "11",
      "subtitleName": "AIR QUALITY",
      "publisherKey": "430000000310400000000000000000000",
      "versionId": "11948",
      "referencedShortTitles": [
        "Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act"
      ],
      "subjectNumber": "47",
      "audience": "All Persons Engaged in Marketing",
      "sourceCharStart": 263194,
      "sourceCharEnd": 264198,
      "matchSegment": "note",
      "matchNoteYear": 1993,
      "alternateCitations": [
        "4 L.P.R.A. § 2077"
      ],
      "expirationDate": "2029-03-01",
      "expirationDateRaw": "03-01-2029",
      "sourcePageStart": 114,
      "sourcePageEnd": 114,
      "displayLabel": "MPEP § 2165.03",
      "publicationDate": "2001-12-14",
      "topLevelTitle": "Title 9: Criminal",
      "externalUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.mass.gov/regulations/240-CMR-200-licensure-of-cosmetologists"
    }
  ],
  "total": 17,
  "returned": 17,
  "totalCiters": 10,
  "verifiedCiters": 10,
  "nextOffset": 25,
  "resolvedFrom": {
    "input": "26 U.S.C. § 1",
    "actId": "USC_T26_C1_S1",
    "via": "citation",
    "subsection": "(h)(11)",
    "matchLevel": "container",
    "container": {
      "kind": "chapter",
      "label": "U.S. Const. art. III",
      "childCount": 12,
      "children": [
        {
          "actId": "CONST_US_A3_S1",
          "citation": "U.S. Const. art. III, § 1",
          "status": "in_force"
        }
      ]
    },
    "repair": {
      "kind": "code_name",
      "cited": "Jud. Ct. Acts Law",
      "interpretedAs": "N.Y. Judiciary Law § 475",
      "alternatives": [
        {
          "actId": "STATE_NY_FCT_S475",
          "citation": "N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 475"
        }
      ]
    },
    "registerReference": {
      "citation": "36 Pa. Bull. 510",
      "state": "il",
      "kind": "page",
      "ruleCount": 2
    }
  },
  "processingTimeMs": 74.2,
  "creditsConsumed": 2
}

Changes

Nov 7, 2026340c0d24d0b6 Revision changes
- warning
  added the new response_size_cap enum value to the /// response property for the response status
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Operation history