Sleuthing Across States: State Abbreviations, Capitals, and More

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state resources
Learn details about each state in the U.S.

List of Helpful State Information

This article provides a list of helpful state resources, data, and information for private investigators. The resources include a list of state abbreviations, state capitals, state constitutions, and even state birds. In addition, it describes state constitutions, state and city websites, and even a list of state birds.

Private investigators should know how to navigate the complexities of state, city, and local governments. In addition, it is always helpful to establish a positive relationship with city officials and even administrative workers that work in municipalities. The better the relationship, the easier it will be to get access to the resources you need or to get help with tracking things down.

List of State Abbreviations

State abbreviations are two-letter symbols. The abbreviations are used primarily for mailing addresses and are often referred to as postal abbreviations or postal codes. The United States Post Office (USPO) introduced the abbreviations when they introduced ZIP codes. This was to make room for the zip codes to be included in the address when written on envelopes.

When used in a mailing address, the two-letter abbreviation is written in capital letters, uses no punctuation, and does not include spaces between the letters. This is often done incorrectly, as people put either the full name or a three-letter abbreviated version (Fla., for example).

In general writing, the full name of the state is preferred. The Associated Press (AP) recommends that you spell out the entire name when the name is used in running text. But, use the two-letter code when paired with a city name (e.g. Chicago, IL).

Following is a list of the state abbreviations:

  • AL – Alabama
  • AK – Alaska
  • AS – American Samoa
  • AZ – Arizona
  • AR – Arkansas
  • CA- California
  • CO- Colorado
  • CT – Connecticut
  • DE – Delaware
  • DC- District of Columbia
  • FM – Federated States of Micronesia
  • FL – Florida
  • GA – Georgia
  • GU – Guam
  • HI – Hawaii
  • ID – Idaho
  • IL – Illinois
  • IN – Indiana
  • IA – Iowa
  • KS – Kansas
  • KY- Kentucky
  • LA- LOUISIANA
  • ME – MAINE
  • MD – MARYLAND
  • MA – MASSACHUSETTS
  • MI – MICHIGAN
  • MN – MINNESOTA
  • MS – MISSISSIPPI
  • MO – MISSOURI
  • MT – MONTANA
  • NE – NEBRASKA
  • NV – NEVADA
  • NH – NEW HAMPSHIRE
  • NJ – NEW JERSEY
  • NM – NEW MEXICO
  • NY – NEW YORK
  • NC – NORTH CAROLINA
  • ND – NORTH DAKOTA
  • MP – NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
  • OH – OHIO
  • OK – OKLAHOMA
  • OR – OREGON
  • PW – PALAU
  • PA – PENNSYLVANIA
  • PR – PUERTO RICO
  • RI – RHODE ISLAND
  • SC – SOUTH CAROLINA
  • SD – SOUTH DAKOTA
  • TN – TENNESSEE
  • TX – TEXAS
  • UT – UTAH
  • VT – VERMONT
  • VI – VIRGIN ISLANDS
  • VA – VIRGINIA
  • WA – WASHINGTON
  • WV – WEST VIRGINIA
  • WI – WISCONSIN
  • WY – Wyoming

List of State Capitals

A state capital is a primary city or town associated with a government. The state capital is usually the city that physically houses the official offices and meeting places of the government. The current roster of capitals has not changed since the year 1910.

Following is a list of states and their official capital cities:

  • Alabama – Montgomery
  • Alaska – Juneau
  • Arizona – Phoenix
  • Arkansas – Little Rock
  • California – Sacramento
  • Colorado – Denver
  • Connecticut – Hartford
  • Delaware – Dover
  • Florida – Tallahassee
  • Georgia – Atlanta
  • Hawaii – Honolulu
  • Idaho – Boise
  • Illinois – Springfield
  • Indiana – Indianapolis
  • Iowa – Des Moines
  • Kansas – Topeka
  • Kentucky – Frankfort
  • Louisiana – Baton Rouge
  • Maine – Augusta
  • Maryland – Annapolis
  • Massachusetts – Boston
  • Michigan – Lansing
  • Minnesota – St. Paul
  • Mississippi – Jackson
  • Missouri – Jefferson City
  • Montana – Helena
  • Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Nevada – Carson City
  • New Hampshire – Concord
  • New Jersey – Trenton
  • New Mexico – Santa Fe
  • New York – Albany
  • North Carolina – Raleigh
  • North Dakota – Bismarck
  • Ohio – Columbus
  • Oklahoma  – Oklahoma City
  • Oregon – Salem
  • Pennsylvania – Harrisburg
  • Rhode Island – Providence
  • South Carolina – Columbia
  • South Dakota – Pierre
  • Tennessee – Nashville
  • Texas – Austin
  • Utah – Salt Lake City
  • Vermont – Montpelier
  • Virginia – Richmond
  • Washington – Olympia
  • West Virginia – Charleston
  • Wisconsin – Madison
  • Wyoming – Cheyenne

Every state in the country has its own constitution that is separate and distinct from the U.S. Constitution. State constitutions are more detailed regarding the day-to-day relationships between the local government and the people living within its geographic boundaries. The size (number of words) of individual constitutions varies considerably. For example, the Vermont constitution is 10,286 words long while Alabama’s is a whopping 340,136 words long. Differences in length and detail are due to the different purposes of the documents as well as the different approaches to constitutional uses between the federal and state governments.

Both constitutional documents are the fundamental blueprints for the legal and political organizations of their respective sovereign entities. But they also go beyond this purpose. While the U.S. Constitution prescribes the limits of federal power, state constitutions describe the details of the structure and process of those governmental powers that are not delegated to the federal government.

Many documents also address very specific issues deemed to be of sufficient importance to be included in the constitution rather than in an ordinary statute. Also, the state constitution must be in compliance with the U.S. document.

State Websites and Contact Information

State websites provide access to a variety of helpful resources for citizens and are great resources for private investigators. Detectives interact with government agencies on a regular basis and should be familiar with how to navigate the myriad of information sources. Using the websites and home pages you can:

  • Learn about the history, official designations, and more
  • Find information and resources for moving to the area
  • Learn how to register your vehicle
  • Learn how to obtain a driver’s license
  • Learn about the emergency services offered (police, fire, etc.)
  • Learn about tax rates and how to make tax payments

City Websites

Most city governments maintain a website to provide their citizens and local residents with easy access to local city information and resources and to serve as an information resource for people in other cities who are seeking the information. These websites can be a great source of information for finding detailed information on government programs, events, and contact information for various city government departments and officials.

Some of the most common features available include information such as the Office of the Mayor, historical information, how to find employment in the area, how to start a business, and recent local news and press releases. In addition, you can check the status of various applications submitted and find out about city and state codes and statutes.

The municipal websites often offer helpful interactive features such as the ability to pay tax bills, pay fees for traffic fines and moving violations, renew an automobile tag or license, pay for certain utilities provided by the city, pay for other fees and taxes, register to vote or find your voting precinct,  obtain special permits and licenses, report government fraud and access the Department of Motor Vehicles website.

For links to all local governments, visit the Local Government search tool on USA.gov.


List of State Birds

Following is a list of U.S. state birds as designated by each state’s legislature.  The process for selecting state birds began in 1927 when the legislatures for Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, and Wyoming chose their state birds.

  • Alabama – Yellowhammer
  • Alaska – Willow Ptarmigan
  • Arizona – Cactus Wren
  • Arkansas – Mockingbird
  • California – California Valley Quail
  • Colorado – Lark Bunting
  • Connecticut – Robin
  • Delaware – Blue Hen Chicken
  • Florida – Mockingbird
  • Georgia – Brown Thrasher
  • Hawaii – Nene
  • Idaho – Mountain Bluebird
  • Illinois – Cardinal
  • Indiana – Cardinal
  • Iowa – Eastern Goldfinch
  • Kansas – Western Meadowlark
  • Kentucky – Cardinal
  • Louisiana – Eastern Brown Pelican
  • Maine – Chickadee
  • Maryland -Baltimore Oriole
  • Massachusetts – Chickadee
  • Michigan – Robin
  • Minnesota – Common Loon
  • Mississippi – Mockingbird
  • Missouri – Bluebird
  • Montana – Western Meadowlark
  • Nebraska – Western Meadowlark
  • Nevada – Mountain Bluebird
  • New Hampshire – Purple Finch
  • New Jersey – Eastern Goldfinch
  • New Mexico – Roadrunner
  • New York – Bluebird
  • North Carolina – Cardinal
  • North Dakota – Western Meadowlark
  • Ohio – Cardinal
  • Oklahoma – Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
  • Oregon – Western Meadowlark
  • Pennsylvania – Ruffed Grouse
  • Rhode Island – Rhode Island Red
  • South Carolina – Great Carolina Wren
  • South Dakota – Ring-necked Pheasant
  • Tennessee – Mockingbird
  • Texas – Mockingbird
  • Utah – Common American Gull
  • Vermont – Hermit Thrush
  • Virginia – Cardinal
  • Washington -Willow Goldfinch
  • West Virginia – Cardinal
  • Wisconsin – Robin
  • Wyoming – Western Meadowlark

Other Facts About State Birds

  • Arizona was the last state to choose its state bird
  • Several states have the same state bird
  • South Dakota is the only state that hunts its state bird, the Common Pheasant
  • The Cardinal is the most common state bird

If you have any questions, or if you would like to share other state resources, please post below. Also, view more Lists of Lists.

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