Committee on Character & Fitness
Admission Information

Applying for Admission

The following are the instructions and application forms to be used for each of the Appellate Division departments.

If you have already submitted an application using prior versions of these forms, it is not necessary to resubmit any application materials.

1. The Application for Admission must be filed with the Appellate Division Department as indicated on the Notice of Certification. A copy of the Notice of Certification must be filed along with the completed Application for Admission. Section 520.12(d)(1) of the Rules of the New York State Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law requires you to file the complete Application for Admission to the Bar with the Supreme Court, Appellate Division within three years from the date when you sat for the second day of the bar examination. All questions regarding your application for admission to practice should be directed to the Appellate Division.
2. Applicants for admission are also required to provide proof of compliance with the new Mandatory 50-Hour Pro Bono Requirement.
3. Applicants who participated in the Pro Bono Scholars Program are required to file the Form Affidavit confirming completion of the Pro Bono Scholars Program.
4. FAQs for New York’s Skills Competency and Professional Values Bar Admission Requirement.
5. Attorney Registration and Fee Payment: All applicants are also required to file an initial biennial attorney registration with the Unified Court System prior to being admitted to the New York bar. This registration and fee payment must now be completed online by both applicants who passed the bar examination and applicants for admission on motion. Complete instructions on how to create a new online account with the Attorney Registration Unit to file your registration electronically (or to print the .pdf version for Motion Applicants) is available at the Attorney Registration website.