## Information Needed Before You Begin Before starting your online registration, gather the following details to ensure a smooth process: * **NYS Attorney Registration Number:** Your unique registration number issued by the Office of Court Administration (OCA). * **Account Credentials:** Your login email and password for the UCS Attorney Online Services portal. * **CLE Records:** Details of your completed Continuing Legal Education hours for the reporting cycle, as you must certify compliance. * **Payment Method:** A valid credit card or electronic check details to pay the registration fee. * **Disclosures:** Information regarding child support status and any voluntary contributions or pro bono service hours you wish to report. ## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to complete your registration online: 1. **Access the Official Portal:** Navigate to the official New York State Unified Court System website and locate the Attorney Online Services section. 2. **Log In to Your Account:** Enter your registered email address and password. If you do not have an account or have forgotten your credentials, use the recovery links on the login page to retrieve them. 3. **Review and Update Contact Information:** The Office of Court Administration requires attorneys to maintain accurate business and residential addresses. Update your primary office address, telephone number, and email address. 4. **Complete the CLE Certification:** Certify that you have completed the required number of CLE credits for your biennial reporting cycle. If you are exempt from CLE requirements (such as being retired or employed full-time in the military), select the appropriate exemption category. 5. **Answer Mandatory Disclosures:** Complete the required questions regarding child support obligations and other state-mandated disclosures. 6. **Submit the Registration Fee:** Enter your payment details to pay the biennial fee. Once the payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation screen. 7. **Save the Receipt:** Print or download the payment confirmation and registration receipt for your professional records. ## Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Certification A critical component of the registration process is certifying your compliance with New York's CLE requirements.

* **Experienced Attorneys:** Generally must complete 24 credit hours of accredited CLE during each biennial reporting cycle. * **Newly Admitted Attorneys:** Must complete 32 credit hours of transitional CLE over their first two years of admission. * **Exemptions:** Attorneys who do not practice law in New York, are retired, or meet other specific criteria may be exempt from CLE requirements. You must select the appropriate exemption code during the registration process. * **Record Keeping:** Do not send your CLE certificates to the Office of Court Administration during registration. You must retain your certificates for at least four years in case of an audit. ## How to Verify Your Registration Status After submitting your registration, it may take a short period for the system to update. You can verify that your registration is complete and active by using the official NYS Attorney Directory: * Visit the public NYS Attorney Search tool on the Unified Court System website. * Search using your first and last name. * Review your profile to confirm that your status is listed as "Registered" and that your next registration date reflects the updated biennial cycle. * If your status does not update within a few business days, contact the OCA Attorney Registration Unit for assistance.

## Updating Contact Information Outside the Registration Cycle Under New York law, attorneys are required to notify the Office of Court Administration of any change in their contact information, including business address, phone number, or email address, within 30 days of the change. You do not need to wait for your biennial registration period to make these updates. You can log into the Attorney Online Services portal at any time to update your professional contact details. ## What to Do If You Encounter Issues If you experience technical difficulties or cannot access your account:

* **Password Reset:** Use the self-service password reset tool on the login page. * **Email Changes:** If the email address associated with your account is no longer accessible, you may need to contact the Attorney Registration Unit directly to update your account email. * **Official Assistance:** The NYS Unified Court System provides email and telephone support specifically for attorney registration inquiries. Always verify the current contact information on the official NYS Unified Court System website to ensure you are reaching the correct department.