How to check that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing
Every state keeps an official record of its licensed attorneys. Here is how to look a lawyer up, what the status labels mean, and how to find discipline history. 5 min read
Checking a lawyer's license is free, takes a few minutes, and is the single most useful thing you can do before hiring someone. Every state's highest court, usually through the state bar or an attorney registration office, keeps an official public record of the lawyers it has admitted.
Where to look
Search for the state's name plus "attorney search" or "lawyer lookup" and make sure the result is an official site: the state bar, the state supreme court, or the state's attorney registration or discipline office. Each LawyersIndex profile also links to the official lookup for the state the record came from, under the license details.
Search by last name first. If the lawyer has a common name, add the city or the bar number. Lawyers who changed their name may be listed under a former name in older records.
What the status labels usually mean
States use different words, but most fall into these groups:
- Active, in good standing, or eligible to practice. The lawyer may practice law in that state.
- Inactive, retired or emeritus. The lawyer is admitted but has chosen not to practice, or may only do limited volunteer work. An inactive lawyer generally should not be taking on clients in that state.
- Not eligible, administratively suspended, or delinquent. Often caused by unpaid dues or missed continuing education. The lawyer may not practice until it is fixed.
- Suspended or disbarred. A disciplinary sanction. The lawyer may not practice law, for a set time or permanently.
If a status is unclear, the state's lookup page usually has a key, or you can call the office that runs it.
Discipline history
Public discipline, such as a reprimand, suspension or disbarment, is usually shown on the lawyer's official record or published by the state's disciplinary agency. Some states also post the full decision. A minor, old reprimand does not necessarily mean you should avoid a lawyer, but you should understand what it was for. Private warnings and dismissed complaints are generally not public.
Licensed in more than one state
A lawyer licensed in several states appears separately in each state's records, and may be active in one and inactive in another. Check the status in the state where your matter is. On LawyersIndex, the "Licensed in" filter uses the state records we have, plus licenses attorneys confirm when they claim their profiles, so always confirm with the official source.
Red flags
- You cannot find the person in any official lookup, or the name and location do not match.
- The person says the license is "pending" but wants to handle your case anyway.
- The person asks you to pay in cash, gift cards or cryptocurrency, or to wire money to an account in a different name.
- Someone who is not a lawyer, sometimes called a "notario" in immigration matters, offers to give legal advice or fill out legal forms for a fee. In the United States, a notary public is not a lawyer.
If something does not add up, contact the state bar or attorney registration office before you pay. Our guide on filing a complaint about a lawyer explains what to do if there is already a problem.
Related guides
- How to find the right lawyer for your legal problem
- What is a bar number?
- Questions to ask a lawyer at your first consultation
- How to find free or low-cost legal help
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and laws differ from state to state. For advice about your situation, talk to a lawyer licensed in your state. Last reviewed November 4, 2026.