A Missouri bar certificate of good standing is issued by the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Missouri for $15, ordered through an online portal, and mailed within roughly three business days of the request.1Supreme Court of Missouri. Certificate of Admission/Good Standing The document confirms that a Missouri-licensed attorney holds an active license and is authorized to practice law, and it’s most often used for pro hac vice motions, reciprocal admission to another state bar, and employer credentialing.
How to Order
Requests go through the online portal maintained by the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The form asks for only two things: the attorney’s name and Missouri bar number.1Supreme Court of Missouri. Certificate of Admission/Good Standing No explanation of purpose and no supporting documents are required. The same portal handles related certificates — admission, inactive status, attorney history, and general status — if you need something other than good standing.
Each certificate costs $15. Credit card payments add a 2.15% convenience fee (minimum $1.25), and e-checks add $0.50.1Supreme Court of Missouri. Certificate of Admission/Good Standing
Processing Time and Delivery
The Clerk’s office sends certificates within about three business days of the request, by first-class mail to the address you provide.1Supreme Court of Missouri. Certificate of Admission/Good Standing No electronic or PDF version is issued, so build physical mail time into your deadline on top of the three-day processing window.
For faster delivery, email a prepaid FedEx or UPS airbill in PDF format to certificates@courts.mo.gov with your name, bar number, and reference number. The Clerk’s office does not pay for express shipping; you create and pay for the label yourself before sending it.1Supreme Court of Missouri. Certificate of Admission/Good Standing
What the Certificate Confirms
Before issuing the certificate, the Clerk checks that your annual enrollment fee is current, that your continuing legal education requirements have been met, and that no active suspension or disbarment prevents you from practicing. If any of those conditions fail, the certificate won’t be issued, and you’ll be notified of the problem. The underlying issue has to be resolved before you can resubmit.
The certificate does not include a disciplinary history. It confirms active licensure, nothing more.
When You Also Need a Disciplinary Certificate
Many jurisdictions admitting a Missouri attorney want both the good standing certificate from the Clerk and a separate certificate of disciplinary status from the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Treating them as one document is a common mistake. The disciplinary certificate is a record of any complaints, investigations, or sanctions, and it comes from a different office entirely.2Missouri Board of Law Examiners. Missouri Board of Law Examiners – Records Requests
It also costs $15, but processing runs roughly 5 to 10 business days, and the request requires more personal information (including date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number) submitted in writing or through the office’s online form. Note any deadline on your request and the office will try to accommodate it. Express delivery, as with the good standing certificate, requires a prepaid shipping label.3Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Obtaining Disciplinary Certificates
Timing for Common Uses
Pro Hac Vice Motions
Courts set their own freshness windows for the certificate. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, for example, requires one issued within 60 days of filing the pro hac vice motion.4United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. Admission to Practice Pro Hac Vice Check the specific court’s rule before ordering so the certificate is still current when the motion is filed.
Reciprocal Admission
Attorneys seeking admission to another state bar without retaking the exam generally need a certificate of good standing from every jurisdiction where they’re licensed, and most states also require the separate disciplinary certificate. If you’re applying to Kansas, the Clerk’s portal offers a dedicated certificate-of-history option built for that reciprocity process.1Supreme Court of Missouri. Certificate of Admission/Good Standing
International Use
If a foreign jurisdiction needs to recognize your certificate, you may also need an apostille or authentication from the Missouri Secretary of State. The Secretary of State charges $10 per authentication and accepts requests by mail at 600 West Main, Room 322, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Documents come back by regular mail unless you include a prepaid express shipping label.5Missouri Secretary of State. Certification, Authentication, and Apostilles Build in time for both offices.