Understanding Your Lawyer Payment Obligations: California State Bar Fees for 2025

Every year, legal professionals in California are required to pay annual fees to maintain their active or inactive membership with the State Bar. This “Lawyer Payment,” as it’s often referred to, is crucial for upholding the integrity and operation of the California legal system. For the 2025 fee cycle, it’s important for all California attorneys to be aware of the deadlines, payment methods, and any potential fee waivers.

The 2025 fee cycle is currently open, from February 1st to April 1st. Payment of your annual lawyer payment is due by April 1, 2025. Missing this deadline can result in late penalties. This guide provides essential information to ensure California lawyers understand their payment obligations and can fulfill them efficiently.

Annual Fee Amounts and Deadlines for Lawyer Payment

The State Bar of California sets annual fees for both active and inactive licensees. For the 2025 cycle, the amounts are as follows:

Description	Amount	Deadline
Annual fees for active licensees	$598.00	April 1
Annual fees for inactive licensees	$205.00	April 1

It is vital to note that the deadline for lawyer payment is April 1, 2025, regardless of your license status. Prompt payment ensures continuous good standing with the State Bar.

How to Make Your Lawyer Payment

The State Bar offers several convenient methods for lawyer payment, primarily through their online portal, My State Bar Profile.

Online Payment via My State Bar Profile:

This is the recommended method for lawyer payment, offering speed and efficiency. Through My State Bar Profile, individual attorneys can:

Calculate their exact fees online.
Pay securely using a credit card or electronic check (ACH) from a checking or savings account.
Access payment confirmations and receipts immediately after payment.
Download their paper bar card once the payment is initiated.

My State Bar Profile is designed to ensure compliance with rule 2.11 of the Rules of the State Bar of California, helping you avoid any nonconforming payment penalties.

Payment by Mail:

While online payment is preferred, you can also pay your lawyer payment by mail. To do so:

Calculate your fees through My State Bar Profile and print the generated invoice.
Mail a check along with a copy of the invoice to the State Bar.

Important: Mailed payments must include a copy of the generated invoice to be processed correctly. Processing mailed payments takes longer than online payments, so allow sufficient time before the April 1st deadline.

Group Payments for Law Firms and Agencies:

For law firms, government agencies, and other organizations managing lawyer payments for multiple attorneys, the State Bar provides the Agency Billing application. This tool simplifies calculating billing costs and making group lawyer payments efficiently.

Financial Hardship and Lawyer Payment Assistance

The State Bar of California recognizes that some attorneys may face financial hardship. Therefore, they offer options for fee reductions and waivers to assist with lawyer payment obligations.

25 Percent Fee Scaling Reduction:

Active licensees who demonstrate a total gross annual individual income from all sources of less than $60,478.35 may be eligible for a 25 percent fee scaling reduction. To request this reduction:

Refer to rule 2.15 for full eligibility details.
Submit the required fee scaling declaration, signed under penalty of perjury, through My State Bar Profile when calculating your fees.
Pay the reduced fee amount.

View Frequently Asked Questions for more information on fee scaling.

50 Percent Fee Waiver Reduction:

In cases of more significant financial hardship, a 50 percent waiver of annual fees may be available. Licensees with a total gross annual household income from all sources of $20,000 or less may apply for this waiver.

Review rule 2.16 for waiver eligibility requirements, specifically rule 2.16(c).
Complete and submit the Licensing Fee Waiver Application form.

It’s crucial to apply for fee scaling or waivers if you believe you are eligible, ensuring you maintain your license without undue financial burden.

Bar Cards, Payment Confirmation, and Receipts for Lawyer Payment

Bar Cards:

After initiating your lawyer payment, a paper bar card becomes available for download via My State Bar Profile. Plastic bar cards are also available upon request through the same portal. To access your bar card:

Log in to My State Bar Profile.
Select “Bar Card, Payment Receipt(s), and Other Documents.”

Payment Confirmation and Receipts:

For online lawyer payments, immediate confirmation and receipts are accessible in My State Bar Profile under “Bar Card, Payment Receipt(s), and Other Documents.” Payments made by check will not generate online receipts and take several business days to process and appear in your record.

Late Lawyer Payment Fees and Penalties

Failing to make your lawyer payment by the April 1, 2025 deadline will result in late penalties. The penalties for late payments are:

$103 for active fee owed
$31 for inactive fee owed

Avoid these additional costs by ensuring your lawyer payment is submitted on time.

Status Changes and Lawyer Payment Implications

Transfer to Inactive Status:

Attorneys seeking to pay the lower inactive fee rate must proactively transfer to inactive status. To qualify for the inactive rate for the 2025 cycle, the transfer must have been initiated by December 1, 2024, with an effective date on or before December 31, 2024.

To transfer to inactive status:

Submit the Application for Transfer to Inactive form.

Transferring to inactive status after December 1, 2024, is possible, but you will still be liable for the active annual fee for 2025 and will not receive a refund.

Transfer to Active Status:

Attorneys transferring from inactive to active status need to fulfill fingerprinting requirements and submit the Request to Transfer to Active Status form. Any adjustments to annual fees due to the status change will require prompt payment.

View more information and access required forms regarding status changes.

Conclusion: Ensure Timely Lawyer Payment

Understanding and fulfilling your lawyer payment obligations to the State Bar of California is a critical annual task. By being aware of the deadlines, utilizing the convenient online payment options through My State Bar Profile, and exploring available financial hardship assistance, California attorneys can maintain their professional standing seamlessly. Ensure your lawyer payment is made by April 1, 2025, to avoid late fees and maintain your ability to practice law in California.