Attorney FAQs
How do I become a member of the bar of the Court?
Submit an application for admission to the District of Colorado through PACER. Further details can be found on the Attorney Admission webpage.
Does the court allow pro hac vice admissions to the bar?
No. To appear as counsel of record in any case, an attorney must be a member of the Court's bar.
Do I need to associate with local counsel or be a member of the Colorado state bar to become a bar member?
No.
How long does it take to process my application?
2-3 business days. Court staff will correspond via email and provide instructions, including how to pay the application fee.
How am I notified that my membership in the bar has been approved?
Court staff will send an email confirming admission with a certificate attached.
I work for a federal agency. How do I become a member of the Court's bar?
Federally employed attorneys receive provisional bar membership at no cost. Log into PACER and submit an application for Admission to the District of Colorado. The fee will be waived during the processing of your application.
What must I do to maintain my bar membership in the District of Colorado?
Remain in good standing in all courts and licensing jurisdictions where admitted and have an “active” status in at least one licensing jurisdiction. There are no continuing legal education requirements for the District of Colorado, but payment of a biennial fee is required every two years. Attorneys employed by federal agencies in a legal capacity are exempt from payment of the biennial fee.
How do verify my admittance date and confirm if I am in good standing?
Search for your name on the Attorney Status webpage.
My admission status says "Admin Removal." What does this mean?
Attorneys who have failed to pay previous iterations of the court's biennial fee are administratively removed from the attorney roll. To confirm if you have been administratively removed, check your bar status on the Attorney Status webpage. If your Bar Status reflects "Admin Removal," you are no longer considered a member of the court's bar and must reapply for admission.
Does the Court issue bar numbers?
In 2021, the court began to use the first two letters of the attorney’s primary licensing jurisdiction followed by that state’s bar number (e.g. Texas state bar #001234 = TX001234).
How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, Duplicate Certificate of Admission, or Letter of Disciplinary History?
Requests for these documents must be submitted through the court's Case Management/Electronic Case Filing system ("CM/ECF"). Visit the Certificates of Good standing/Duplicate Bar Certificates webpage for further detail. For letters of No Disciplinary History, email the Attorney Services Department at cod_attorneyservices@cod.uscourts.gov.
How do I register for e-filing?
E-filing privileges are automatically activated upon admission to the court's bar.
If I have forgotten my PACER credentials, how can I retrieve them?
Visit the PACER website or contact the PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856 or email at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov.
How do I change my primary or secondary email addresses?
Log into your PACER account, then go to the “Manage My Account” tab to make changes to your primary email address. To update secondary email addresses, access the District of Colorado’s CM/ECF site and go to Utilities → Your Account → Maintain Your Account → Maintain Your E-mail Information.
How do I change my firm, address, or phone information?
Log into your PACER account, then go to the "Manage My Account" tab to make changes to your firm, address, or phone information.
If I change law firms, do I need to register for a new PACER login and password?
No, do not create a new PACER login and password; instead, update your contact information as indicated above.
Where can I obtain more guidance about e- filing?
Visit the Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) webpage for more information regarding electronic filing, including training information and documentation.
How do I voluntarily resign from the Court?
Attorneys considered "In Good Standing" with the Court may email a Voluntary Resignation form to COD_AttorneyServices@cod.uscourts.gov.