Once you have taken your oath, it is important to promptly submit your form since your oath date is also your admission date.
If you choose to sign your form through DocuSign, it will be automatically submitted to the State Bar. Make sure to keep a copy of your completed form for your own records.
However, if you choose to download your form for physical signature, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry Form to submit your completed and signed form. Your form must be submitted in PDF format; photos of your form will not be accepted. If you downloaded the form, please retain the original for your records.
Note: As soon as you have submitted your completed form, you are eligible to practice law in California.
After you have submitted your completed form, please expect a processing time of 30 days for the State Bar to process your New Licensee Registration and Attorney Oath forms. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to individual requests for confirmation, status updates, or expedited processing.
You can check the State Bar website's Attorney Search to confirm your enrollment and obtain your bar number. If your bar number has not been assigned after 30 days, please submit a copy of your completed form as a PDF through the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry Form. Make sure to include your first and last name in the file name of the PDF attachment.
- For attorneys admitted between November 2024 and January 2025, your first fee notice will be issued around February 1, 2025, and payment of annual fees will be due by April 1, 2025.
- For all others, a fee notice will be issued within 30 days of your bar number assignment and payment of annual fees will be due 45 days from the invoice date.
Please note, your bar number will not be assigned until the State Bar receives your completed form; however, your official date of admission will be the date you take your oath. Annual fees for your admission year will be based on that date.
Future annual fees will be billed in February for the upcoming year, with payment due by March 30. You will receive notice by email only, so please calendar these dates.
Please be aware that you can only obtain a bar card once you have initiated the payment of your annual license fees. If you have not yet initiated the payment of your annual fees, you will not be able to order a bar card.
Once a payment has been initiated, go to your My State Bar Profile and click “Bar Card, Payment Receipt(s), and Other Documents” to download a paper bar card or order a plastic bar card.
Note: Make sure to thoroughly review the "What to know about your license" section of this guide. It provides important information about your rights and responsibilities as a licensee, reporting requirements, and deadlines that you need to be aware of.
Have any questions? Contact us.