The Supreme Court Prothonotary's office in Pittsburgh, PA processes all applications for admission to the Bar.  If you have any questions please call them at (412) 565-2816

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has exclusive jurisdiction over membership in the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Accordingly, only upon completion of the procedures required by the Supreme Court will an individual be admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 103 & 231). Programs for admission to local courts and/or bar associations are ceremonial in nature only and may require additional fees.

Enclosed herewith are: (1) an application for admission; and (2) a certificate from the Board of Law Examiners addressed to the Justices of the Supreme Court. In order to apply for admission, you must submit to the Supreme Court Prothonotary’s Office a completed application, the original certificate, and the appropriate fees. Please mail your documents to: The Supreme Court Prothonotary’s Office, 801 City County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. All documents submitted to the Prothonotary must be originals, bearing original signatures where appropriate.  No photocopies, faxes, or other reproductions will be accepted.  Incomplete or incorrect applications will be returned to the applicant for completion or correction, and a $10 reprocessing fee will be assessed each time your application is returned.

Admission may be effected by mail, in person at the Prothonotary’s Office in Pittsburgh, or in an open court ceremony held by the Supreme Court.

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CERTIFICATE:  Your original certificate from the Board of Law Examiners must be submitted with your application. Your name will appear on your admission exactly as it appears on the certificate. Any changes to your certificate, i.e. name changes, must be completed through the Board of Law Examiners (717-795-7270) before submitting your application.  Additionally, please note that the enclosed certificate expires six months from the date of issue. If seeking admission past that date, you must contact the Board of Law Examiners to update your certificate before submitting your application.

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FEES:  Cash, Money Order, Cashier’s Check or Personal Check (payable to the Supreme Court of PA) will be accepted in the exact amount only.  No third party checks will be accepted.  Law firm checks will be accepted provided the firm’s name is clearly embossed as the account-holder.  The fees are as follows:

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APPLICATION: 

For admission by mail or in person, complete Page 1 (Parts 1, 2 and 3) and Page 2.

For admission in open court ceremony, complete Page 1 (Parts 1, 2 and 4) and Page 2.

NOTE:  You may attend an open court ceremony after having been admitted by mail or in person provided that all four parts of Page 1, and Page 2, are completed.

PAGE 1

Part 1: Please complete in its entirety, and be sure to sign where indicated.

Part 2: If you do not know a Pennsylvania judge or an active Pennsylvania attorney, please leave blank and it will be completed by the Prothonotary.  Be advised that in such case the Prothonotary's name will appear on your wall certificate as the attorney moving for your admission.  This will not be changed later for any reason.  If the person moving for your admission is a Pennsylvania judge, please so indicate.

Part 3: Oath of admission must be administered by a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths.  The official must sign and date on the line provided under the oath.  Notaries must apply seal and/or stamp as required by law in their jurisdiction.  When submitting your application in person at the Prothonotary's Office, please have the oath administered and notarized before appearing, as there is no notary public on site.

Part 4: Please indicate with a check-mark the location of the ceremony you wish to attend. Complete the part marked “Individual Court Motion” only if the person moving for your admission is a family member, or a judge under whom you are serving a clerkship, and that person will be attending the ceremony with you. (This should be the same person as listed in Part 2.)

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            Please complete all appropriate fields, and be sure to sign where indicated.

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SChedule of open court ceremonies

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DEADLINE: In order to participate in an open court ceremony, mail your completed application on or before April 28, 2008.

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IMPORTANT:   The Prothonotary’s Office will notify you via First Class Mail of your admission date and Attorney I.D. Number.