A Texas certificate of good standing is issued by the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas or by the State Bar of Texas to confirm that an attorney holds an active Texas law license with no pending disciplinary action. You order it online through the State Bar of Texas website for $25 plus a $1 handling fee, and standard processing runs about five to seven business days.1State Bar of Texas. Letters from the Highest Court (Supreme Court of Texas) Most attorneys need one for federal court admission, reciprocal admission in another state, or an employer’s credentialing file.
Which Certificate You Actually Need
Texas issues two related documents, and the receiving jurisdiction usually tells you which one it wants. The Supreme Court of Texas issues its own certificate through the Clerk’s office. The State Bar of Texas issues a separate certificate through the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel.2State Bar of Texas. Request a Certificate of Good Standing Both confirm active licensure and no pending discipline, but federal courts and other state bars sometimes require the Supreme Court version by name. Read the receiving jurisdiction’s instructions before you pay.
What Good Standing Requires
You qualify only if every administrative and disciplinary requirement is current. Any one gap can hold up the request.
Active License
Your license must be in active status. Attorneys who are inactive, suspended, or administratively revoked are not eligible.3State of Texas. Texas Government Code 81.051 – Bar Membership Required
Bar Dues Paid
Annual membership fees must be paid in full. Unpaid dues are one of the most common reasons a certificate request stalls, so confirm your payment status first.4State Bar of Texas. Dues and Other Fees
CLE Compliance
Every active member must complete at least 15 hours of accredited continuing legal education during each MCLE compliance year.5State Bar of Texas. MCLE Homepage Falling short puts your license into noncompliant status and blocks issuance.
No Pending Discipline
The certificate confirms the absence of current disciplinary action. An attorney under active suspension, disbarment, or public reprimand will not receive one until the matter is resolved.
Ordering the Supreme Court Certificate
Order the Supreme Court certificate online through the State Bar of Texas website. Each certificate costs $25.00 plus a $1.00 postage and handling fee, for a total of $26.00. Payment is by credit card only; the Clerk’s office no longer accepts cash or check.1State Bar of Texas. Letters from the Highest Court (Supreme Court of Texas)
Have ready your full name as it appears in State Bar records, your State Bar ID number, the name and address of the receiving organization, and the purpose of the request (federal district court admission, a reciprocity application, and so on).
Ordering the State Bar Certificate
If the receiving jurisdiction accepts a State Bar certificate, order one for $25. These are processed by the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel.2State Bar of Texas. Request a Certificate of Good Standing Two options:
- Online through the State Bar’s system, paid by credit card.
- By mail, with a written request, a $25 check payable to the State Bar of Texas, and a self-addressed envelope, sent to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel at P.O. Box 12487, Austin, Texas 78711.
Faxed and emailed requests are no longer accepted.
Pre-Printed Forms From Other Jurisdictions
Some jurisdictions require their own form to be completed and signed by the issuing court instead of a standard certificate. If the Supreme Court of Texas needs to fill out one of these, submit it by mail rather than online. Send the blank form with a request letter that includes your Bar number, a $25 check payable to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Supreme Court of Texas, P.O. Box 12248, Austin, TX 78711.6Texas Judicial Branch. Attorney Certificates, Licensing and Name Changes
Processing Time and Rush Delivery
Standard processing runs five to seven business days from submission. Build that window into any application deadline. Overnight delivery is available if you provide a prepaid overnight shipping slip with the request.2State Bar of Texas. Request a Certificate of Good Standing The certificate can be mailed to you or directly to the receiving organization.
Certificate vs. Disciplinary History Report
A certificate of good standing confirms your current status. It is not a full accounting of your disciplinary record. Some applications, particularly for reciprocal admission, ask for a complete disciplinary history report in addition to (or instead of) a basic certificate. Both are processed through the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, so you can request them through the same system. Ordering only a certificate when the application asks for a disciplinary history will delay your admission.
If You Are Not in Good Standing
You cannot request a certificate around an unresolved problem; the system flags it. The common fixes:
- Unpaid dues: pay the balance and any late fees through the State Bar’s online dues portal. Status typically updates within a few business days after payment clears.
- CLE deficiency: complete the missing hours and report them to the MCLE department. A late compliance fee may apply.
- Administrative suspension for missed dues or CLE (rather than misconduct): satisfy the outstanding requirement and pay any reinstatement fees. The State Bar’s Member Benefits and Compliance department can walk you through the specific steps.
Attorneys suspended for disciplinary reasons or disbarred face a longer reinstatement process that may require a petition to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. Ordering a certificate before that reinstatement is complete will not work.