Official licensing-resource finder
State Bar Verification Finder
Choose a state to open the attorney licensing search or authority used for that jurisdiction.
Attorney licensing is handled at the state level. This page does not search licensing records itself; it sends you to the government, court, disciplinary agency, or mandatory bar resource identified for the selected jurisdiction.
State licensing resource
- Attorney’s full name and spelling
- Bar or registration number, if available
- State where the attorney claims to be licensed
- Firm or city to distinguish similar names
Government and bar websites sometimes move or change their search tools. If the direct link does not work, use the ABA licensing directory above or search the named authority’s official website.
A practical license-verification checklist
- Match the identity. Confirm the exact name, registration or bar number, and location rather than relying on a similar name.
- Read the current status. Look for active, inactive, suspended, resigned, retired, or other terms and use the authority’s own definition.
- Review available public history. Some authorities link public discipline or orders from the attorney’s profile; others maintain a separate disciplinary search.
- Check each relevant jurisdiction. An attorney licensed in one state is not automatically licensed in every state, although specific federal or temporary-practice rules may apply.
- Ask questions directly. If a record, name, status, or disciplinary entry is unclear, contact the licensing or disciplinary authority rather than guessing.
What an official record may not tell you
A public licensing record may show admission date, current registration status, contact information, and some public disciplinary history. The available fields differ by jurisdiction. It may not establish how often the attorney handles a particular issue, who will work on your matter, whether a conflict exists, what services a quoted fee includes, or whether the attorney is a good fit.
After verification, use the Attorney Interview Question Builder and Attorney Comparison Worksheet to collect those details consistently.
State links compiled from official authorities and the American Bar Association’s lawyer licensing directory; reviewed August 19, 2026.