Q. How do I report my change of address?
A: Both the Bar AND the Supreme Court need to be notified of address changes within 30 days of their occurrence. Report your change in writing. You may fax (505-828-3755), update your profile on the web, use an automated form, or mail your address to the State Bar at: State Bar of NM, PO Box 92860, Albuquerque, NM 87199. You can hand deliver your address to: 5121 Masthead NE, Albuquerque. This will take care of subscriptions, mailings, MCLE, CLE and Disciplinary Board notifications.
YOU MUST ALSO INFORM THE SUPREME COURT. You may may email suprvm@nmcourts.com, fax (505-827-4837) or mail your address change to: Clerk of the Supreme Court, PO Box 848, Santa Fe, NM 87504; or hand deliver to the Supreme Court Building, Santa Fe. The Supreme Court information is an address of public record.
Q. Can I have different mailing, directory and Web site addresses?
A: Yes. The Supreme Court only needs and only maintains one address, and Bar files will be used for both mailing and directory/web site purposes. Normally, mailing and directory addresses are the same, but if you want your mail sent to your residence and you want your office address in the directory, you just need to tell us. We can list any number of addresses in the directory, but are restricted to but one mailing address.
Q. Can I keep some of my information out of the directory/Web site?
A: Yes, for the 2008-2009 directory you will be able to. Jjust let us know what information you don’t want in the directory. Some items such as email address can go in the directory but not be shown on the web site. If you have told us in the past that your information is not to be used on any list produced by the bar, then your name will not appear in either the directory or the web site.
Q. Can I limit State Bar or third-party mailings?
A: Yes. We can insure you get no mail from the State Bar or third parties who use the State Bar files for mailing. Alternatively, we can restrict your information from going to third parties but still have you get mail from the State Bar.
Q. How do I inform you that my name has changed?
A: Advise the Supreme Court. The Bar will place cross-reference information in the directory and on the web site. The name of record will not change until the Supreme Court publishes the new name information in a certificate. This can take up to two months. In the meantime, you should use your old name for official purposes. Until this happens, the Bar’s cross-reference record will direct inquiries to the current name of record.
Q. How do I stop my subscription to the Bar Bulletin?
A: Just let us know via one of the alternative means (not the profile) above.
Q. I do not have an address that I can permit to be made public. What should I do?
A: Obtain a post office box.
Q. I have different summer and winter addresses. Can this be accommodated?
A: Yes. Just provide the dates you want mailings to change. We can also indicate in the Directory or on the Web site that an address is seasonal.
To order a replacement bar card please furnish your name, bar id, method of payment, amount enclosed and credit card information to the State Bar. Cost to replace a lost or stolen Bar Card is $5.00. Temporary Bar Cards are provided without charge upon request. Please allow four to six weeks to receive your replacement Bar Card.
Send your request to: receptionist@nmbar.org, fax 505-828-3755, or State Bar of New Mexico, P.O. Box 92860, Albuquerque, NM 87199. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover!
Q: I have been asked for a Certificate of Good Standing. How do I obtain this document?
A: Certificates of Good Standing are issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court, and state that a member is in good standing. Any past disciplinary action or suspension is noted on the Certificate of Good Standing. Call or write the Supreme Court Clerk to request this document. The telephone number for the Supreme Court is (505) 827-4860, and the charge for a Certificate of Good Standing is $1.00.
Q: I have been asked to get a Character and Fitness Report. How does this differ from a Certificate of Good Standing, and where do I get this document?
A: A Character and Fitness Report is similar to a Certificate of Good Standing in that it notes any disciplinary action taken against an attorney, but it is obtained from the Disciplinary Board at no charge. The Character and Fitness Report is required by some states when applying to take the bar exam. This document needs to be requested in writing and the attorney will need to waive his/her right to confidentiality. You may contact the Disciplinary Board at (505) 842-5781. This report can only be requested by the practicing attorney or by persons/entities who provide the practicing attorney's waiver.
Q: I have been asked for a Letter of Membership. From whom do I request this letter?
A: A Letter of Membership can be obtained from the State Bar of New Mexico. Call, write or email to request this document. A Letter of Membership states when a member was admitted to the Bar and their current membership status. This may be required by other states when applying to take the bar exam. This letter can only be requested by the practicing attorney.
As of June 2007
| Active Members (Total): | 6,171 |
| Inactive Members (Total): | 1,806 |
| Active in-state | 5,157 |
| Active out-of-state | 1,014 |
| Inactive in-state | 312 |
| Inactive out-of-state | 759 |
Total membership, active and inactive: 7,616
(Inactive members may not practice in the State of NM)
Q: Do you have a retirement status?
A: The State Bar does not have a retirement status? We do have the emeritus status, which is for members who are at least 75 years of age who are inactive and have practiced law in New Mexico for at least 25 years, and have filed a written request with the State Bar for this status. As an emeritus member, you are allowed all of the privileges of an inactive license. The benefits of the emeritus status include a waiver of State Bar dues and Disciplinary Board assessments.
Q: How do I qualify for a Fee Waiver?
A: The granting of a fee waiver is currently based on age or disability and income level. See specific requirements.
Q. What does inactive status mean?
A: Inactive status is for those members who are eligible for active status but are not currently practicing law in New Mexico and have completed an application for inactive status. There are no continuing legal education requirements during the time you are on the inactive status. Membership dues are $75 per year. An inactive status application is available online or by calling the the State Bar accounting department at 797-6035.
Q: How do I transfer back to active status in the future?
A: To become an active member, you'll need to receive authorization from the Board of Bar Examiners. They'll check your continuing legal education records and determine whether you'll be required to complete a prior-year deficit. At the time of activation, you'll need to pay additional State Bar dues and Disciplinary Board assessments to bring you up to the active level of payment. Once activated you will again be subject to the continuing legal education requirements.
Q: I'm moving out of New Mexico. Do I need to change my membership?
A: If you'll be leaving New Mexico, there are a few things you should take care of. The first thing you should do is contact the State Bar and the Supreme Court and change your address, both mailing and physical. This will ensure delivery of important mailings such as your annual dues statement and your continuing legal education mailings. You will also want to determine whether inactive or active status is best for you. Many members retain active status to keep their option of practicing in New Mexico available at all times. This can be done by paying the active fees each year and complying with the minimum continuing legal education requirements.
Q: What if I don't pay my mandatory fees?
A: If you don't pay the annual mandatory fees, your license in New Mexico would be suspended and you would no longer be eligible to practice in this state without first reinstating your license by paying double your back fees plus a $100 late fee. This suspension is also recorded on your permanent file and does have to be disclosed when applying for licenses in other states.
Q: What if I want to remain a member but I'm having trouble paying my dues?
A: The Supreme Court requires all members to pay annual fees each January 1st. Members should plan for this yearly payment to avoid the possibility of suspension for nonpayment of fees. We also accept credit card payments. If you're still unable to pay the fees, you should contact the State Bar regarding a possible hardship provision. The Board of Bar Commissioners will review any hardship cases and possibly make provisions where there are extreme circumstances.
Q: When are the Annual Membership and License Fees due?
A: Every member of the State Bar shall, prior to the first day of January of each year, pay to the Executive Director of the State Bar an annual license fee. Active members whose dues are received after the first day of February will be assessed a late payment penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00). Inactive members whose dues are received after the first day of February will be assessed a late payment penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00).
Q: How much are my License Fees?
A: The annual license fees for active and inactive status members shall be determined and fixed by the Board and approved by the Supreme Court prior to January of each calendar year.
Q: Do I get any discount from my dues when I become a new member of the New Mexico Bar?
A: There is a discount for the first and second year attorneys, who have practiced less than one or two years in any jurisdiction.
Q: If I am suspended for nonpayment of dues, how am I reinstated?
A: Any member suspended because of nonpayment of dues or penalties shall be required to petition the Board of Bar Examiners for reinstatement, and as a condition precedent to any granting of reinstatement shall be required to pay a reinstatement fee of:
A. twice that member's then license fee, plus
B. fees in arrears, plus
C. accrued late penalty payments.
Q: I'm thinking about giving up my New Mexico license. What do I need to do?
A: If you've considered all of the options available, such as inactive status, and you still feel that you would like to give up your license, the proper method is to voluntarily resign. This requires notifying the Supreme Court of you intent, which will then allow you to relinquish your New Mexico license without the suspension that would occur if you simply chose not to pay your mandatory fees.