Attorney Verification

ATTORNEY SEARCH & VERIFICATION / CERTIFICATES OF GOOD STANDING

Q: Can the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) verify whether or not an attorney is a member of the New York Bar in good standing?

A: No. The NYSBA is not the official New York Bar and is not responsible for attorney licenses or registration. Please contact the NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA), the official licensing/registration unit: 212.428.2800, NYCourts.gov

Q: Can I run a search on the NYSBA Web site for a New York attorney that I am trying to locate?

A: No. You can however search for an attorney at the NYS Office of Court Administration’s (OCA) Web site: NYCourts.gov

Q: How does a licensed attorney obtain a Certificate of Good Standing?

A: A Certificate of Good Standing attests that an attorney was licensed and admitted to practice in the courts of this state on a given date, is currently registered with the Office of Court Administration (OCA), and is in “good standing,” that is, the attorney is not currently suspended or disbarred.

Certificates of good standing must be requested from the Appellate Division where the attorney was admitted.

Attorneys may submit requests online and the certificate will be delivered as PDF document. To request a certificate, please complete the Certificate of Good Standing form.