Online era beckons: NY attorneys to register exclusively via web platforms

November 3, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

In a joint statement, Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge, and Hon. Norman St. George, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, expressed their gratitude for the collective support and cooperation of the legal community in this endeavor.
Photo: Robert Abruzzese/Brooklyn Eagle

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In a sweeping move towards digitization and environmental sustainability, New York State’s Attorney Registration process is undergoing a significant transformation. Starting Dec. 1, New York attorneys are mandated to employ the online system for registration and renewal, bringing an end to traditional paper registration forms.

This shift aims not only to curtail paper wastage, but also to enhance the precision of data collection. More than 80% of New York attorneys already prefer the online method for filing their registration, and a sizable portion have set up their Online Services accounts.

As a prerequisite to this new mandate, attorneys must establish an Online Services Account, offering them the facility to update contact details, handle biennial fee payments, report CLE compliance and confirm other requisite certifications. Additionally, this credential facilitates secure access to various Unified Court System (UCS) platforms, such as NYSCEF, eTrack, and other eFiling and case management portals.

The administration will continue to dispatch paper notifications to attorneys who haven’t switched to email notifications, serving as a reminder for their registration deadline. However, these notices will cease to contain paper registration forms. The state has given assurance that any circulating paper forms will remain acceptable for an extended period.