Guideline for Crafting Legal Documents (GCLD)
The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) has updated its Document Development Handbook (DDH), with the 2018 Edition, Revision 2.2 now available for public use. This revision corrects several links and adds a reminder to make 508-compliant forms available when publishing the form in the Federal Register.
The DDH provides comprehensive guidance on drafting, transmitting, and publishing Federal Register documents. It includes instructions for correcting a document before sending, after sending but before publication, and even withdrawing a document from publication. It also specifies the letter requirements for corrections and withdrawals.
One of the significant additions in this revision is the revised instructions for digital transmissions. The DDH now provides clear guidelines on how to follow the transmission, format, and editorial requirements established in the Federal Register Act (FRA) and 1 CFR chapter I.
Moreover, the DDH includes an extensive array of templates for various requests, such as emergency publication requests, immediate filing requests, special handling requests, CD certification, correcting a document after scheduling and before publication, withdrawing a document from publication, deviation request form, and designating the Federal Register Liaison Officer / Certifying Officer.
While updated guidance on the "Revise and Republish" process, effective January 2024, is available online, as of 2024 and into mid-2025, there is no explicit updated guidance from the OFR specifically on this process. The documents and notices reviewed primarily cover broader regulatory review, rulemaking efficiency improvements, and administrative executive orders affecting publication processes but do not detail changes to the "Revise and Republish" guidance itself.
However, there is a notable Administration-wide push to enhance OFR operational efficiency, which may indirectly affect all publication procedures, including "Revise and Republish" rules. Executive Order 14295 (May 9, 2025) directs the OFR to increase efficiency by streamlining the publication process, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and reassessing fee structures, aiming to reduce delays in rulemaking publications broadly.
For authoritative and current procedural instructions, consulting the OFR’s official website or the most recent Federal Register notices directly is recommended. The DDH also includes contact information for Federal Register Liaison Officer, OFR Scheduling Unit, OFR technical support, and agency's Federal Register Liaison Officer.
The DDH is available as a pdf and online, and users must begin using this version by June 9, 2025. It also includes an introduction and FAQs on PKI and digital signatures, a list of drafting conventions no longer permitted, an index of tables and examples, and instructions for corrections to a notice, proposed rule, rule, and CFR.
In Appendix B, the DDH includes guidelines for corrections to a document after sending but before publication, and in Chapter 5, it provides instructions for corrections to a rule, notice, and CFR. The DDH also explains who is responsible for correcting a document and provides a table of contents for easy navigation.
For those seeking more information, the DDH is available for download on the OFR's official website. The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) continues to provide guidance for drafting Federal Register documents, ensuring a smooth and efficient publication process.
The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) has integrated self-development opportunities into their Document Development Handbook (DDH) by offering clear guidelines on online education and learning, such as proper digital transmissions, through comprehensive instructions on following the transmission, format, and editorial requirements established in the Federal Register Act (FRA) and 1 CFR chapter I.
The DDH also provides extensive resources for education-and-self-development, including templates for various requests, FAQs on PKI and digital signatures, a list of drafting conventions no longer permitted, an index of tables and examples, and instructions for corrections, all of which are accessible online for continuous learning and improvement.
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