Certificate of Good Standing: New York's 30-Day Rule

What the 30-Day Rule Requires

When an out-of-state attorney seeks admission pro hac vice in a New York court, the motion package must include a Certificate of Good Standing from the court or regulatory body that admitted the applicant to practice in each jurisdiction where the applicant is currently licensed. The certificate confirms that the applicant is a member in good standing, that the license is active, and that there is no pending disciplinary matter of record.

In federal court, the 30-day window is express. Joint Local Civil Rule 1.3(k) for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, as amended effective January 2, 2026, requires that the motion be accompanied by a certificate of the court for each state in which the applicant is a member of the bar that has been issued within 30 days of filing. In state court, the same 30-day window is the working expectation in downstate practice, and local counsel who files a stale certificate should expect the motion to draw a rejection or a request to refile. Order the certificate on the assumption that it must be less than 30 days old on the day the motion is filed.

Where the Rule Actually Comes From

The express 30-day rule is federal. Joint Local Civil Rule 1.3(k), governing pro hac vice admission in both SDNY and EDNY, states that the motion must be accompanied by a certificate of the court for each of the states in which the applicant is a member of the bar that has been issued within 30 days of filing. That is rule text, and both districts enforce it.

The state rule is different, and attorneys are frequently misled about it. 22 NYCRR 520.11, a Rule of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law, is the rule that governs pro hac vice admission in New York state court. Read in full, 520.11 says nothing about a Certificate of Good Standing and imposes no timing window. Neither does 22 NYCRR 602.2, the First Department rule, nor 22 NYCRR 690.3, the Second Department rule. Any source that tells you the 30-day certificate rule appears in 520.11 or in an Appellate Division rule is citing something that is not there.

What is true is that the certificate is a practical requirement in state court and that a stale one causes problems. Judges and part clerks expect a current certificate, the papers are reviewed by hand, and a certificate several months old invites a rejection you have no rule to argue against. Treat 30 days as the operating standard in both court systems: it is the rule in federal court, and it is the safe assumption in state court.

Why Certificates Get Rejected as Stale

The most common pattern is straightforward. An attorney has an older Certificate of Good Standing on file from a prior filing, or orders one early in the engagement and then the motion is not filed for several weeks or months. By the time local counsel files the motion, the certificate is outside the 30-day window.

A second pattern involves attorneys admitted in multiple jurisdictions. Every jurisdiction where the applicant is admitted must produce a current certificate. If an attorney is admitted in three states, three certificates are required. A stale certificate from any one of those jurisdictions can delay or defeat the motion.

A third pattern involves sourcing. The certificate must come from the court or regulatory authority that admitted the applicant, not from a voluntary state bar association. A certificate issued by the wrong body is not a Certificate of Good Standing for pro hac vice purposes, regardless of how recent it is.

How to Get a Fresh Certificate Quickly

Most state supreme courts and admissions authorities now issue Certificates of Good Standing electronically. Turnaround times vary, but many jurisdictions can deliver within one to three business days if the request is submitted online and the fee is paid at the time of request. Paper certificates take longer because they must be mailed.

Order from the correct body. In most states, the clerk of the highest state court or the state's attorney licensing agency issues the certificate. Voluntary bar associations are not the issuing authority. If you are uncertain which body issues the certificate in your jurisdiction, ask your local counsel or check the admissions guidance published by the highest court of that state.

Coordinate timing with the motion filing. The 30-day clock runs backward from the filing date of the motion, not forward from the date you order the certificate. Work backward from the expected filing date. If your local counsel anticipates filing in two weeks, order the certificate now and plan on an expedited turnaround.

Common Questions

How recent does a Certificate of Good Standing need to be for a New York pro hac vice motion?

In federal court, joint Local Civil Rule 1.3(k) for SDNY and EDNY requires a certificate issued within 30 days of filing. In New York state court, 30 days is the working expectation in downstate practice, and a certificate older than 30 days invites rejection. Order on the assumption that the certificate must be less than 30 days old on the day the motion is filed.

Does 22 NYCRR 520.11 set the 30-day rule?

No. 22 NYCRR 520.11 governs pro hac vice admission in New York state court but says nothing about a Certificate of Good Standing and imposes no timing window. Neither does 22 NYCRR 602.2 in the First Department or 22 NYCRR 690.3 in the Second Department. The express 30-day rule is federal, at joint Local Civil Rule 1.3(k) for SDNY and EDNY.

My Certificate of Good Standing is more than 30 days old. What do I do?

Order a fresh certificate from your home state bar or state court admitting authority. Many jurisdictions issue electronically within one to three business days. Do not file with a stale certificate, because the court will reject the motion and you will have to refile.

Who issues the Certificate of Good Standing?

The certificate must come from the court or regulatory body that admitted you to practice in your home jurisdiction, not from a voluntary state bar association. For example, in states where the highest court admits attorneys, you must request the certificate from the clerk of that court.

What if I am admitted in multiple states?

You must produce a current Certificate of Good Standing from every jurisdiction where you are currently admitted. Each certificate must satisfy the 30-day rule. Retired or inactive admissions may not need separate certificates, depending on how the motion is drafted. Work this out with your local counsel before ordering.

Is the rule different in federal court?

Federal court is where the 30-day window is actually written down. Joint Local Civil Rule 1.3(k) for SDNY and EDNY requires that the motion be accompanied by a certificate of the court for each state in which the applicant is a member of the bar that has been issued within 30 days of filing. SDNY also requires the accompanying affidavit to be notarized and, for most jurisdictions, requires that the certificate be issued by the State Supreme Court.

What happens if I file with a stale certificate?

The court will usually deny the motion or order the applicant to cure the deficiency. Curing means ordering and submitting a fresh certificate, which can delay the case by days or weeks. In some situations, opposing counsel may use the defect as an opportunity to oppose the motion or raise other objections.

Related: Pro Hac Vice Overview · Pro Hac Vice Application in New York · How Long Does PHV Take? · How to File a Pro Hac Vice Motion · Pro Hac Vice in SDNY and EDNY · Do You Need New York Local Counsel?

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change. Confirm current requirements with local counsel before filing. Attorney advertising.

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