Dues/Licensing Issues and Other Membership Services

Address Change Rule

Per Supreme Court Order effective October 6, 2008, (Misc. Docket No. 08-9148), the State Bar Rules were amended to mandate that members notify the State Bar of Texas of any change in their registered contact information within thirty (30) days of such change. Article III Section 2A requires the following information be kept updated with the Bar:

preferred physical address or post office box;

1. telephone number;
2. facsimile number; and
3. e-mail address

The preferred physical address or post office box will constitute the member’s registered address and will be used for receiving official notices from the State Bar, including membership compliance information, member benefits, and disciplinary matters. Attorneys may update their registered contact information online at www.texasbar.com/mybarpage, or can call the State Bar Membership Department at 800-204-2222 ext. 1383.

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Contact the Membership Department

Annual Dues

The dues structure for lawyers licensed in Texas or elsewhere:

1. Licensed fewer than three years $68.00
2. Licensed three to five years $148.00
3. Licensed more than five years $235.00

If admitted in Texas after December 1 of the current fiscal year, dues are pro-rated (½).

As specified in Article III, Section 7(A), State Bar Rules, the following is the schedule of dues statement mailings for the fiscal year beginning June 1 and ending May 31.

1. First of May, first notice is mailed advising members that dues are due on June 1.
2. First of July, a second notice is mailed to those whose payments have not been received. Members have an additional 60 days to remit payment without penalties.
3. First of September, suspension notice is mailed to those whose payment has not been received. Members remitting dues after August 31 of any fiscal year are penalized 50 percent. Members remitting dues after December 1 of any fiscal year are assessed a 100% penalty.
   
   

All dues notices are mailed via first class mail.

[Click here to Pay Your Fees]

Attorney Occupation Tax

In 1991 The Texas Legislature imposed an annual occupation tax on every person licensed to practice law in Texas. In 1995 the Legislature amended Subchapter H, Chapter 191 of the Tax Code requiring the Supreme Court to administer and collect the attorney occupation tax.

The tax rate is $200.00 per year made payable to the Texas State Comptroller in advance. The tax is due on or before June 1 of the tax year, except for those to whom one or more of the following exemptions apply: Tax Exemption Form (word document – pdf format)

1. 70 years of age or older
2. Inactive status under the rules governing the State Bar of Texas
3. Out of state attorneys who are not practicing law in Texas
4. Judges
5. Federal and State Employees;
6. Attorneys employed by City, County, and District attorneys' offices who do not have a private 
    practice that accounts for more than 50% of their time
7. Employee of a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that is prohibited from private practice
8. Exempt from the MCLE requirements because of non-practicing status

Penalties and interest will be added if payment is not received for the fiscal year beginning June 1 and ending May 31:

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[Click here to Pay Your Tax]

Legal Services Fee

In 2003, the Texas Legislature added to the State Bar Act a provision requiring the Supreme Court to set legal services fee in the amount of $65 to be paid annually by each non-exempt active member of the State Bar. In 2004, that fee was collected for the first time from more than 55,000 non-exempt Texas lawyers. The fee generated $3.6 million, $1.8 million each for civil legal aid and indigent criminal defense.

The funds designated to criminal indigent defense primarily funded four new programs including two general public defender offices and two mental health defender programs. The Task Force on Indigent Defense administers the indigent defense portion of the funds.

The money designated to civil legal services is distributed through the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation (TEAJF) regular grants cycle to Texas providers of free legal services to the poor.

The State Bar dues statement also includes, a voluntary $100 contribution to the Access to Justice campaign for civil legal services to the poor. All these funds are distributed through TEAJF and the Texas Bar Foundation to programs that provide legal services to the poor in Texas.

Legal Services Fee and Voluntary ATJ Contribution Frequently Asked Questions

[Click here to Pay Your Legal Services Fees]

Attorney Profile Update

During the 77th session (2000), the Texas Legislature amended Subchapter H, Chapter 81, of the Government Code by adding Section 81.115. It requires the State Bar of Texas to create a profile of each attorney licensed in Texas and to make such profiles available to the public via the Internet. Attorneys are required to provide the profile information.

The profile contains demographic information concerning each attorney to be maintained on an annual basis. To complete your profile online go toMyBarPageon this website. Simply log in using your bar number and password, and click "Update My Profile" and then "Edit" next to "My Attorney Profile."

Attorney Profile Form (word document – pdf format)

[Click here to Update Your Profile]

Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation Compliance

The Rules for Suspension of Attorneys in Default of their Guaranteed Student Loans were adopted by the Supreme Court of Texas on June 18, 1996. Attorneys have 60 days from the date of notice to provide one of the following:

1. A certificate issued by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation certifying a repayment agreement on the defaulted loan; or
2. A certificate issued by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation certifying that the individual is not in default of a loan guaranteed by the Corporation.

To contest the accuracy of the Corporation's default reporting, the State Bar member must submit to the Clerk of the Supreme Court (within 20 days of the date of the notice) a request for a public hearing before a master appointed by the court. The request must include the specific grounds for the contest.

Failure to provide one of the above certificates or establish error within 60 days after the date of the notice will automatically suspend the State Bar member from the practice of law.

The Collections Department of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation has information on defaulted loans at (800) 222-6297. Do not call the Supreme Court or the State Bar of Texas for this information. Certificates of compliance are issued directly by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation. Certificates of compliance should then be sent to the State Bar of Texas, Membership Department, P. O. Box 12487, Austin, Texas, 78711-2487 or by fax to Jeff Martinez at (512)427-4124

Child Support

A court order from any court will authorize the State Bar of Texas Membership Department to suspend an attorney's law license for non-payment of child support. A court order will authorize reinstatement.

Inactive Status

If a State Bar member does not practice law in Texas during any given fiscal year, inactive status may be requested. To clarify the eligibility of active members of the State Bar of Texas to request inactive membership status, the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors adopted the following policy:

The following list includes those members who are deemed to be engaged in the "practice of law," and therefore not eligible to be granted "inactive" membership status. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but provides common examples:

• Members engaged in providing private legal services in any state whether such services are compensated or uncompensated. Such services shall include any actions or advice rendered to any person or entity in all matters connected with the law. Such services shall not include those rendered solely on behalf of a member's own personal interests;

• Members of the judiciary, including state, county, municipal, and all other governmental entities. This shall include those considered to be administrative judges or judicial officers;

• Members who are law clerks, briefing attorneys, law librarians, or others engaged in an activity that requires researching or briefing the law;

• Members whose job or position requires the person holding it to be an attorney or possess a law degree;

• Members who are full-time or part-time faculty members of any law school and who are either compensated or uncompensated;

• Members who are elected officials in positions that require the person holding them to be an attorney or possess a law degree.

However, members may still be eligible for exemptions from the Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements. Any correspondence concerning MCLE requirements should be directed to Nancy Smith, MCLE Department, P.O. Box 13007, Austin, Texas 78711.

On Inactive Status, Members:

• Cannot practice law in Texas.

• Must pay annual membership dues of $50.00.

• Receive the Texas Bar Journal and annual dues statements, but no other mailings from the 
  State Bar of Texas.

• May be eligible for health insurance through the State Bar Insurance Trust. Eligibility is 
  determined by the management of the Trust, not the State Bar of Texas.

• May be exempt from compliance with the Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) 
  requirements provided the member was not on the active roll at anytime during the member's 
  MCLE compliance year.

• Cannot vote in State Bar elections and referenda (State Bar Act, 81.051).

To Request Inactive Status:

Members submitting your request for inactive status between June 1 and August 31, that have not practiced after June 1 of the current fiscal year, and have not already submitted bar dues, must complete and return an ‘inactive request form’ (word document – pdf format), your active Texas bar card and payment of $50.00 payable to the Clerk, Supreme Court of Texas. Dues postmarked after August 31 of a fiscal year must include a $25.00 late fee. (This does not apply to members joining the State Bar for the first time.)

Members submitting your request for inactive status between June 1 and August 31 that have practiced since June 1 of the current fiscal year are required to pay full active bar dues, a prorated attorney occupation tax ($16.67 per month) and the entire legal services fee. You must complete and return an ‘inactive request form’ (word document – pdf format), your active Texas bar card and necessary fees as determined by the fee schedule.

Members submitting your request for inactive status between June 1 and August 31 that have already paid bar dues and the attorney occupation tax/legal services fee, but have not practiced after June 1 of the current fiscal year, may be eligible for a refund for a portion of bar dues, tax and legal services fee. However, you must request this refund in writing prior to September 1 of the current fiscal year. You must complete and return an ‘inactive request form’ (word document – pdf format) and your active Texas bar card.

Members changing their status from active to inactive at any time after September 1 of the current fiscal year, must complete and return an ‘inactive request form’ (word document – pdf format) and your active Texas bar card. Inactive status cannot be made retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year.

If you want to change your status to inactive and you are currently not in good standing, please contact the Membership Department at 800-204-2222 ext. 1813, or via email at sgavin@texasbar.com to determine the necessary procedure.

Any request for a change in status should be made to the State Bar of Texas/Membership Department at PO Box 12487 Austin, TX 78711-2487. Members requesting inactive status will receive written confirmation of his/her State Bar of Texas status along with an inactive Bar card when all inactive requirements have been met.

Reinstatement to Active Membership Roll Following inactive status

Inactive members may be reinstated to the active roll of the State Bar of Texas at any time. To be reinstated, the member must:

• Provide a statement certifying that he/she has not practiced law in Texas during the fiscal period or periods he/she was an inactive member. Did Not Practice Statement (word document) (pdf format). Credit card authorization (pdf format).
  
  
• Pay the membership fee and ocupation tax due for the current fiscal period. (This does not apply to members joining the State Bar for the first time).

If the member assumes inactive status for the first time and decides to reinstate to the active roll within the same fiscal year, the member will be penalized 50% of the active bar dues if reinstatement is on or after September 1. The gold Bar card or the current valid Bar card will be mailed to the member at that time.

Age Exempt Status

WHAT DOES AGE EXEMPT STATUS MEAN?
Even though you must return your membership statement to the State Bar to retain your active status, attorneys that are 70 Years of age or older are exempt from paying Membership Dues and the Attorney Occupation Tax. In addition, age exempt attorneys are not required to report MCLE credit hours.

PRESERVING YOUR ACTIVE STATUS

Each year, you will be mailed a dues statement which reflects that you are not required to pay Membership Dues. However, you must pay any other fees required for section memberships or subscriptions.

IF YOU DO NOT RETURN YOUR DUES STATEMENT, YOUR CURRENT ACTIVE STATUS WILL NOT BE RENEWED. You will not be eligible to practice law if your membership status is not renewed.

If you have additional questions about your age-exempt status, please contact the Membership Department at 1-800-204-2222 ext. 1383.

Reinstatement Following a Suspension

A State Bar member requesting reinstatement following an administrative suspension should contact Sandy Gavin with the membership department toll free at (800) 204-2222 ext. 1813, or email sgavin@texasbar.com. Did Not Practice Letter (word document – pdf format). Credit card authorization pdf format. Attorney Profile Form (pdf format).

If calling about a reinstatement following a disciplinary suspension, you should contact Lydia Garcia at (877)953-5535 ext. 109 or by fax at (512)453-6667.

Voluntary Resignation

In order to voluntarily resign from the State Bar the Supreme Court requires a member to be in good standing, (Good standing means that the attorney is current on payment of Bar dues, and attorney occupation tax and the Legal Services Fees, has met Minimum Continuing Legal Education requirements; and is not presently under an administrative or disciplinary suspension).

To voluntarily resign your law license you must submit the following items:

1. A written request that you wish to voluntarily resign your law license from the State Bar of Texas;

2. A notarized affidavit (word document – pdf format) stating that you are not resigning in lieu of 
    discipline;

3. A notarized affidavit (word document – pdf format) stating that you have turned in all bar
    cards, law licenses or certificates issued to you by the Supreme Court of Texas;

4. Your gold bar card;

5. Your law license (property of the Supreme Court of Texas);

6. A certificate from the Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s office stating that you are in good standing 
    and no complaints are pending. (word document) (pdf format)

Please be advised that until such time as you comply with the requirements set forth herein you will continue to be shown on the membership rolls as an active member who must comply with the payment of Bar dues and the performance of continuing legal education mandated by the State Bar Act. This means that you would be subject to administrative suspensions for any subsequent failure to pay Bar dues and/or failure to perform minimum continuing legal education (for the current fiscal year in which the voluntary resignation is submitted).

If you are currently on the inactive rolls, you do not have to comply with the continuing legal education requirements;however, you are required to pay $50 annually to remain in good standing. A member must be in good standing and current on dues and taxes in order to voluntarily resign from the State Bar of Texas.

Items 1 through 6 must be submitted in order to complete the voluntary resignation. You will be notified by letter once the Supreme Court approves the Order. For questions regarding voluntary resignations contact Dee Stacey at (800) 204-2222, ext. 1807 or (512) 427-1463, ext. 1807, or you may send an email to dstacey@texasbar.com.

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Name Changes

In order to change a name on our records, the State Bar member must send a letter requesting the name change, and a copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order which changed the name. To obtain a new Bar card reflecting the name change, remit a separate check in the amount of $25.00 made payable to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas.

For a new law license reflecting the name change, you will need to return your old license and remit a separate check in the amount of $25.00 made payable to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas.

Address such requests to the Supreme Court of Texas, Clerk's Office, P. O. Box 12248, Austin, Texas 78711-2248. Questions about this procedure are answered by the Clerk's office at (512) 463-1312.

Request a Replacement Bar Card

Note: You must have updated your profile within the last 12 months before a replacement bar card can be issued. 

To obtain a replacement Bar card:

1. Submit a written request.
   
2. Include a $25.00 check or money order made payable to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas or an authorization to charge on a Visa or MasterCard. To process a request by credit card we need the account number, expiration date, dollar amount authorized to charge, and the card holder's signature (credit card authorization form:  pdf format).
   
3. Include a self-addressed envelope and mail requests to the State Bar of Texas, Membership Department, P.O. Box 12487, Austin, Texas, 78711-2487.

Send an email request with credit card authorization information to memmail@texasbar.com or  by fax to (512)427-4124.

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Request a Letter of Good Standing for Attorneys With No Prior Grievance/Discipline History

{If grievance history exists, click here}

Letters of good standing can be obtained by submitting a request to the State Bar via mail, email, or fax.

1. Requests made via mail, please include a $25 check or money order payable to the State Bar of Texas, or authorization to charge the fee to your VISA, MasterCard or American Express card. You will need to include the credit card number, expiration date, dollar amount, and the card holder's signature (credit card authorization: word document - pdf format). In addition, please include a self-addressed envelope. You can mail your request to the State Bar of Texas, Membership Dept., PO Box 12487, Austin, TX 78711.
   
   
2. Requests made via email can be sent to memmail@texasbar.com and must include authorization to charge the $25 fee to your VISA, MasterCard or American Express card. You will need to include the credit card number, expiration date, dollar amount, and the card holder's signature (credit card authorization: word document - pdf format). In addition, please provide the address the letter should be mailed to.
   
   
3. Requests made via fax can be sent to (512) 427-4124 and must include authorization to charge the $25 fee to your VISA, MasterCard or American Express card. You will need to include the credit card number, expiration date, dollar amount, and the card holder's signature (credit card authorization: word document - pdf format). In addition, please provide the address the letter should be mailed to.
   
   
4. Please allow 5 working days for processing your request. If you have any questions, you may contact this office at (800) 204-2222, ext. 1383.

Letters from the Supreme Court (highest court)
The Clerk of the highest court in Texas (the Supreme Court of Texas) also can provide letters of good standing for members of the State Bar. Each letter includes the member's name, bar card number, license date, and current membership status.

To obtain a letter from the Clerk of the Texas Supreme Court:

1. Submit a written request.
2. Include a $10.00 check or money order made payable to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas.
3. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail requests to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas, P.O. Box 12248, Austin, Texas, 78711-2248.
   
   

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Request a Letter or Certificate of Good Standing for Attorneys with Grievance/Disciplinary History

{If no grievance history, click here}

1. Please complete the following form (word format - pdf format) and have it notarized. Letters (letter from Disciplinary Committee) or Certificates of good standing will not be issued without this form.
   
   
2. Send form and check for $25.00 (make check payable to the State Bar of Texas) with your request. The Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel, does not accept credit cards, so you must submit a personal check or money order.
   .
3. Forward all information to the address listed below:
   
   Chief Disciplinary Counsel
   PO Box 12487
   Austin, Texas 78711
   
   
4. Indicate where you would like the certificate or letter mailed. If it is mailed to the entity requesting this information, indicate if you would like a copy be sent to you as well.
   
   
5. If you are asked to fax the information back, please put the original form and fee in the mail to the attention of the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel at the address listed above.
   
   
6. Fax number: (512) 453-6667
   
   
7. If you need the information returned to you by Federal Express or overnighted, you must include a return overnight slip with your request and your fed-ex account number.
   
   
8. In the event that you have a very short deadline, you may overnight your information to the State Bar of Texas at the physical address listed below, otherwise send it by regular mail to the address listed above:
   
   Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel
   1414 Colorado St., 2nd Floor
   Austin, Texas 78701
   
   
9. Please allow 5 working days for processing of your certificate or letter. If you have any questions you may contact this office at (877) 953-5535, ext. 100.

Request a Certified Letter of Administrative Suspensions

The information regarding administrative suspensions is an official record of the Supreme Court of Texas. For a certified copy of the information, please provide the following:

1. A written request; and

2. A $10.00 fee made payable to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas and mail to the 
    Membership Department, State Bar of Texas, P.O. Box 12487, Austin, Texas 78711-2487.