The Texas Bar Inactive Status Application is the official request a licensed Texas attorney files with the State Bar of Texas Membership Department to move from active to inactive membership, which stops the right to practice law in Texas while keeping the license alive. Filing it correctly preserves your bar number, your good standing, and your future right to return to active practice without retaking the bar exam.
The State Bar of Texas reports more than 110,000 active members and roughly 17,000 inactive members as of the 2025 Membership Report, and processing errors cause an estimated 8% of inactive requests to be rejected on first submission, mostly for unsigned MCLE affidavits or unpaid prorated dues. Getting the form right the first time saves weeks of back-and-forth with the State Bar Membership Department.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every field on the inactive status request form, line by line.
- 💵 How prorated dues, MCLE compliance, and trust account wind-down rules work.
- 📬 How to file the form by mail, fax, or through your My Bar Page portal.
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get inactive requests rejected.
- 🔄 How inactive status compares to resignation and how to return to active status later.
What the Inactive Status Application Is and Who Must File It
The Texas Bar Inactive Status Application is a one-page request governed by Article III, Section 5 of the State Bar Rules and approved by the Supreme Court of Texas. It tells the State Bar that you no longer wish to practice law in Texas but want to keep your license on the rolls. Once approved, you pay reduced inactive dues, you are exempt from Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) reporting, and you cannot hold yourself out as a Texas attorney or practice law in Texas.
Any licensed Texas attorney in good standing may file. You file when you retire, take parental or caregiving leave, accept a judicial appointment, move in-house out of state, deploy with the military, suffer a long illness, or change careers. You may not file if you are currently suspended, under active disciplinary investigation, or have a pending grievance that bars status changes under Rule 8.04 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
Inactive status is not the same as resignation. Resignation ends your license and forces you to pass the bar exam again to return. Inactive status pauses your active rights but keeps the bar number and seniority. The choice between the two is one of the most consequential decisions in an attorney’s career, and the State Bar will not advise you which to pick.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before you open the form, gather every document and number on this checklist. Missing items are the single biggest reason inactive requests get bounced back.
- Your State Bar of Texas bar number (the 8-digit number on your bar card), needed because the form keys every record to it.
- Your full legal name as it appears in the State Bar roster, because a name mismatch triggers a manual hold.
- Your current mailing address and email of record, since the State Bar sends the approval letter and dues invoice there.
- Your MCLE compliance status for the current and prior reporting year, available on your MCLE record, because you must certify compliance through your last day of active status.
- Your IOLTA trust account number and closing balance, needed to certify trust account wind-down under Rule 1.14 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules.
- A list of pending client matters with file numbers, opposing counsel, and next deadlines, because Rule 1.15 requires reasonable notice and orderly transfer.
- Copies of client notification letters showing you told each active client you are going inactive.
- A dues calculator printout from the State Bar dues page showing the prorated active dues owed through the effective date.
- Your preferred effective date of inactive status, which controls when the change takes effect and when prorated dues stop.
- A payment method (check, money order, or credit card) for any unpaid prorated active dues and the inactive dues for the remainder of the bar year.
- Government-issued ID if you are filing in person at the Texas Law Center in Austin.
- A scanned signature if you plan to file through the My Bar Page portal.
If any one of these is missing, stop and gather it before you start writing. The State Bar reviews the application as a complete package, and a single missing field stalls the whole request.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Request for Inactive Status form lives on the State Bar of Texas Membership Department page under “Membership Status Changes.” It is a fillable PDF you can complete on a computer or print and complete by hand. Always download a fresh copy, because the State Bar updates the form each bar year (the current version carries a revision date in the lower-left footer, typically Rev. 06/2025).
You can also access the request through your My Bar Page member portal, which auto-fills your bar number, name, and address from the roster. The portal version is preferred because it reduces typos and confirms receipt instantly. If you do not have portal credentials, call the Membership Department at (800) 204-2222, ext. 1383, to set them up.
Do not use a copy of the form a colleague sent you from a prior year. The State Bar rejects outdated revisions, and the rejection letter does not arrive for two to three weeks, costing you another full dues cycle. Always pull the form from the official site the same day you plan to fill it out.
If you live outside Texas, the form is identical, but you may need to add an out-of-state mailing address. The State Bar mails the inactive status confirmation card to that address, so it must be current.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Texas Bar Inactive Status Application Line by Line
The form has five logical parts: the header, member identification, status change details, certifications, and signature. Each part has its own fields. Work through them in order, because later fields depend on entries you made earlier.
Field 1: Bar Card Number
This field asks for your 8-digit Texas bar number, the unique identifier the State Bar uses for every record tied to you. Enter it exactly as it appears on your bar card, with no spaces and no dashes. Maria Lopez, a 22-year litigator going inactive to care for an aging parent, writes 24045678 in this box.
The most common edge case is attorneys who memorize a 6-digit number from before the State Bar moved to 8 digits in the 1990s; if your card is older, look up the current 8-digit number on your My Bar Page profile. The most common mistake on this field is transposing two digits, which routes the request to another attorney’s file and triggers a 30-day investigative hold. A common misconception is that the bar number changes when you go inactive; it does not. Your bar number stays with you for life, even through resignation and reinstatement.
Field 2: Full Legal Name
This field asks for your full legal name as it currently appears on the State Bar roster. Enter first, middle, last, and any suffix, with no nicknames. Maria Elena Lopez is correct; Mari Lopez is not.
If you have legally changed your name (marriage, divorce, court order) and have not updated the roster, stop and file a name change request first, because the inactive form will not process under a name that does not match the roster. The most common mistake here is filers writing their married name when the roster still shows their maiden name, which triggers a name-mismatch hold. A common misconception is that the State Bar will quietly update the name from the inactive form; it will not, because name changes require a separate sworn request and supporting documents.
Field 3: Date of Birth
This field asks for your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format, which the State Bar uses as a secondary identifier. Marcus Brown, a 58-year-old solo practitioner closing his firm to take an in-house counsel role in Colorado, writes 04/12/1967.
The edge case is attorneys born outside the United States whose original records use DD/MM/YYYY; convert to U.S. format before entering. The most common mistake is using two-digit years (e.g., 04/12/67), which the State Bar’s intake system reads as 2067 and flags as invalid. The misconception is that date of birth is optional once the bar number is correct; it is not, and a blank field returns the form without review.
Field 4: Mailing Address of Record
This field asks for the street or P.O. Box address where the State Bar should send your inactive status confirmation, dues invoice, and bar card. Enter the full address including suite, city, state, and ZIP+4 if known. Janet Hughes, a former district court briefing attorney returning to school, enters 2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 4800W, Dallas, TX 75201-2750.
A P.O. Box is allowed for the mailing address, but the State Bar separately requires a physical address on file under Rule 2.01 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules. The most common mistake is entering an old firm address after you have already left the firm, which sends your confirmation to a mailroom that returns it as undeliverable. The misconception is that updating the address on the inactive form also updates it on the public roster; it does, but only after the inactive request is approved, so update the roster separately if you need the change to be immediate.
Field 5: Email Address
This field asks for the email where the State Bar should send electronic correspondence about your status change. Enter the address you check daily, not a firm address you may lose access to. maria.lopez.atty@gmail.com is a good choice for Maria, who is leaving her firm.
The edge case is attorneys whose only email is a firm domain they will lose on the effective date; switch to a personal email before you file. The most common mistake is leaving this blank and relying on paper mail, which delays every notice by 7–10 days. The misconception is that the State Bar will not email you once you go inactive; it will, because dues invoices and reactivation notices come by email even for inactive members.
Field 6: Daytime Phone Number
This field asks for a daytime phone number where the Membership Department can reach you with questions, in (XXX) XXX-XXXX format. Enter a personal cell phone, not a firm landline you will not answer after you go inactive. Marcus enters (303) 555-0142.
The edge case is filers moving overseas; include the country code (e.g., +44 20 7946 0958). The most common mistake is entering a firm reception line that screens calls, which causes the State Bar to leave one voicemail and then close out the inquiry. The misconception is that this number is published; it is not, because the State Bar uses it only for internal follow-up.
Field 7: Effective Date of Inactive Status
This field asks for the date you want your inactive status to begin, in MM/DD/YYYY format. The State Bar will use this date to calculate prorated active dues and to start your inactive dues clock. Maria enters 07/01/2026, the first of the month after she finishes transferring her last client matter.
The edge case is attorneys who want immediate effect; you may write upon approval, but the State Bar will substitute the date it processes the form, which can be 2–4 weeks out. The most common mistake is choosing a retroactive date, which the State Bar will not honor because dues already accrued cannot be refunded after the bar year closes on May 31. The misconception is that the effective date controls when you stop being able to practice; it does, so you must wind down all client matters before this date or you risk an unauthorized practice of law (UPL) violation under Texas Penal Code § 38.122.
Field 8: Reason for Requesting Inactive Status
This field asks why you are going inactive. The form lists checkboxes for common reasons: retirement, employment outside the practice of law, full-time judicial service, military service, health, family caregiving, and other. Janet checks employment outside the practice of law and writes full-time graduate student in the “other” line.
The edge case is attorneys with multiple reasons (e.g., retirement and health); check the primary reason and add a brief note. The most common mistake is leaving the field blank because filers think the reason is private; the State Bar does not publish it but does require it for statistical reporting under Article III of the State Bar Rules. The misconception is that the reason affects approval; it does not, because inactive status is a right of any member in good standing, not a discretionary grant.
Field 9: MCLE Compliance Certification
This field asks you to certify that you are current on Minimum Continuing Legal Education hours through the effective date. Check Yes only if you have completed the 15 MCLE hours (including 3 ethics hours) required by Texas MCLE Regulations for your current compliance year. Maria checks Yes because she finished her 15 hours in March 2026.
The edge case is mid-year filers who have not yet completed the year’s MCLE; you must either finish the hours before the effective date or request an MCLE exemption letter from the MCLE Department. The most common mistake is checking Yes without verifying the hours posted to your MCLE record, which the Bar cross-checks automatically; a mismatch returns the form and adds a $200 noncompliance fee. The misconception is that going inactive erases the MCLE deficiency; it does not, because the deficiency remains on your record and must be cured before reactivation.
Field 10: Trust Account and Client Property Certification
This field asks you to certify that you have closed or transferred any IOLTA or trust account and returned all client property and unearned fees, as required by Rule 1.14 and Rule 1.15 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules. Marcus enters his closing IOLTA balance of $0.00 and the closure date of 06/28/2026.
The edge case is firm attorneys whose name is on a firm IOLTA they do not personally control; the firm’s managing partner must sign a separate letter confirming you have been removed as a signatory. The most common mistake is leaving the IOLTA open “just in case,” which the State Bar treats as continued practice and grounds for denial. The misconception is that an empty trust account does not need formal closure; it does, because Rule 1.14 requires written closure with the bank, not just a zero balance.
Field 11: Pending Matters Certification
This field asks you to certify that you have given written notice to every current client and have either completed, withdrawn from, or transferred each pending matter. Janet attaches a list of three matters she transferred to her former firm.
The edge case is contingent-fee cases where you remain entitled to a quantum-meruit share; you may certify the matter transferred while preserving the fee claim in writing. The most common mistake is going inactive without sending the Rule 1.15 withdrawal notices, which exposes you to a grievance even after going inactive. The misconception is that going inactive automatically terminates representation; it does not, because only formal withdrawal under court rules ends an attorney-client relationship.
Field 12: Disciplinary Status Certification
This field asks you to certify that you are not currently suspended, disbarred, or under a probated sanction, and that no grievance is pending against you that bars a status change. Check Yes only if all three are true. Maria checks Yes after confirming her clean record on the Find a Lawyer public roster.
The edge case is filers with a closed grievance from years ago; closed matters do not bar inactive status, only pending ones do. The most common mistake is checking Yes without checking the Chief Disciplinary Counsel records, which the State Bar verifies automatically; a false certification is itself a disciplinary violation under Rule 8.04(a)(3). The misconception is that going inactive ends a pending grievance; it does not, because the Commission for Lawyer Discipline retains jurisdiction over inactive members.
Field 13: Prorated Dues Calculation
This field asks for the prorated active dues owed from June 1 through your effective date, plus the inactive dues for the remainder of the bar year. The State Bar publishes the dues schedule each May on the Membership Dues page; the 2025–2026 active dues are $235 (under 5 years licensed), $148 (5–9 years), or $235 (10+ years), and inactive dues are $50. Marcus, licensed 30 years, calculates $235 × 1/12 = $19.58 prorated active for June, plus $50 inactive, totaling $69.58.
The edge case is filers in the first year of practice, who pay reduced active dues; use the dues calculator to avoid a math error. The most common mistake is forgetting to add the inactive dues for the rest of the bar year, which causes the State Bar to bill you again 30 days later with a late fee. The misconception is that the State Bar will refund overpaid active dues automatically; it will not, because refund requests must be submitted in writing within 60 days under the State Bar Refund Policy.
Field 14: Signature and Date
This field asks for your handwritten or electronic signature and the date you sign. Sign exactly as your name appears on the roster (Field 2). Maria signs Maria Elena Lopez and dates 06/15/2026.
The edge case is attorneys filing through the portal, where DocuSign is accepted under the Texas Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. The most common mistake is signing a different name than the roster shows, which the intake clerk treats as a name-mismatch and returns. The misconception is that initials are enough; they are not, because the certification block requires a full signature to be legally binding.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Elena Lopez — 22-Year Litigator Going Inactive for Caregiving
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Bar Card Number | 24045678 |
| Full Legal Name | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Date of Birth | 09/03/1972 |
| Mailing Address | 4820 Westheimer Rd, Apt 312, Houston, TX 77027 |
| maria.lopez.atty@gmail.com | |
| Effective Date | 07/01/2026 |
| Reason | Family caregiving |
| MCLE Compliance | Yes — 15 hours completed 03/14/2026 |
| Trust Account | Closed Wells Fargo IOLTA #####1234 on 06/28/2026, $0.00 balance |
| Pending Matters | 3 matters transferred to Smith & Jones LLP |
| Prorated Dues | $19.58 active (June) + $50 inactive = $69.58 |
| Signature | Maria Elena Lopez, 06/15/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus James Brown — Solo Closing Firm for Out-of-State In-House Role
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Bar Card Number | 15098765 |
| Full Legal Name | Marcus James Brown |
| Date of Birth | 04/12/1967 |
| Mailing Address | 1450 Larimer St, Apt 905, Denver, CO 80202 |
| mbrown.tx@protonmail.com | |
| Effective Date | 07/01/2026 |
| Reason | Employment outside the practice of law in Texas |
| MCLE Compliance | Yes — 15 hours, 3 ethics, completed 05/22/2026 |
| Trust Account | Frost Bank IOLTA closed 06/28/2026 |
| Pending Matters | 0 — all matters concluded by 06/30/2026 |
| Prorated Dues | $19.58 + $50 = $69.58 |
| Signature | Marcus James Brown, 06/20/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Marie Hughes — Former Briefing Attorney Returning to Graduate School
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Bar Card Number | 24112233 |
| Full Legal Name | Janet Marie Hughes |
| Date of Birth | 11/27/1991 |
| Mailing Address | 2200 Ross Ave, Suite 4800W, Dallas, TX 75201 |
| jhughes91@utexas.edu | |
| Effective Date | 08/15/2026 |
| Reason | Full-time graduate student (Other) |
| MCLE Compliance | Exempt — first reporting year ends 03/31/2027 |
| Trust Account | None — never held client funds |
| Pending Matters | None — left clerkship 06/30/2026 |
| Prorated Dues | $148 × 2.5/12 = $30.83 active + $50 inactive = $80.83 |
| Signature | Janet Marie Hughes, 07/30/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
The State Bar accepts the inactive status request through three channels: the My Bar Page online portal, U.S. mail, and fax. In-person filing at the Texas Law Center is allowed but discouraged because the Membership Department does not review walk-ins on the spot.
Online portal. Log in at the My Bar Page, select “Membership Status Change,” upload the completed PDF, and pay the prorated dues by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Processing time runs 7–10 business days. Save the confirmation email and the receipt PDF; that is your proof of filing.
Mail. Print and sign the form and mail it with a check or money order payable to State Bar of Texas to: State Bar of Texas, Membership Department, P.O. Box 12487, Austin, TX 78711-2487. Use certified mail with return receipt requested; keep the green card as proof. Processing runs 14–21 business days.
Fax. Fax the signed form to (512) 427-4423 and mail the dues check separately, because the State Bar cannot process fax payments. Keep the fax confirmation page. Processing runs 10–14 business days.
In person. Drop the form at the Texas Law Center, 1414 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Pay by check or credit card at the front desk. Get a date-stamped copy as proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
Within 7–21 business days (depending on channel), the Membership Department mails an Inactive Status Confirmation Letter and an updated bar card marked INACTIVE. Your status changes on the public roster within 24 hours of approval. You may no longer practice law in Texas, hold yourself out as a Texas attorney, or use the title “Attorney at Law” on letterhead or business cards in connection with legal services.
You receive an annual inactive dues invoice each May for $50, due by July 1. You are exempt from MCLE reporting under Rule 6 of the MCLE Regulations but may continue to attend CLE voluntarily, which makes future reactivation easier. The Commission for Lawyer Discipline retains jurisdiction over you, so the disciplinary rules continue to apply for any conduct that occurred while active.
If you want to return to active status later, file the Request for Active Status, pay the difference between active and inactive dues for the current year, and certify completion of any MCLE deficit. Reactivation typically takes 4–6 weeks because the State Bar runs a background and disciplinary check.
If you remain inactive for more than five consecutive years, Article III, Section 7 of the State Bar Rules may require you to complete additional CLE (often 15 hours, including 3 ethics) before reactivation. Plan accordingly if you expect a long absence.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Choosing a retroactive effective date. The State Bar will not refund dues for periods already past, so the request bounces back with a corrected date demand.
- Leaving MCLE compliance unverified. The Bar cross-checks your MCLE record automatically, and a false Yes triggers a $200 noncompliance fee.
- Failing to close the IOLTA in writing. A zero balance is not enough; the bank closure letter is required to satisfy Rule 1.14.
- Skipping client withdrawal notices. Going inactive without Rule 1.15 notice exposes you to a grievance you cannot dodge.
- Using an outdated form revision. The State Bar rejects old PDFs without review, costing you another dues cycle.
- Mixing maiden and married names. A name mismatch with the roster places the form on indefinite hold.
- Listing a firm email you will lose access to. You miss the confirmation, the dues invoice, and the bar card mailing.
- Forgetting the inactive dues for the remainder of the bar year. The Bar bills you again with a late fee.
- Confusing inactive status with resignation. Resignation kills the license; inactive preserves it.
- Filing while a grievance is pending. The Commission for Lawyer Discipline freezes the request until the grievance closes.
- Practicing law after the effective date. Even one client call after the date is unauthorized practice under Texas Penal Code § 38.122.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do download the current form from the State Bar Membership page the same day you file, because the revision date matters.
- Do close the IOLTA in writing with the bank before the effective date, because the certification asks for the closure date.
- Do send Rule 1.15 withdrawal notices at least 30 days before the effective date, because clients need time to find new counsel.
- Do use a personal email, not a firm email, because firm access ends the day you leave.
- Do pay both prorated active dues and inactive dues in one payment, because split payments often misapply.
- Do keep proof of filing (certified mail receipt, fax confirmation, or portal receipt) for at least three years, because the State Bar occasionally loses paper filings.
Don’t:
- Don’t backdate the effective date, because the State Bar rejects retroactive requests.
- Don’t certify MCLE compliance without checking your MCLE record, because the cross-check is automatic.
- Don’t list a P.O. Box as your only address, because Rule 2.01 requires a physical address on file.
- Don’t keep the IOLTA open “just in case,” because that is treated as continued practice.
- Don’t file while a grievance is pending, because the Commission will freeze the request.
- Don’t assume inactive status erases prior MCLE deficits, because they survive until cured.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se:
- Saves $200–$500 in attorney consultation fees, because the form is short.
- Gives you direct control over the effective date, because no scheduling middleman is involved.
- Lets you close the IOLTA on your own timeline, because you know your client list best.
- Keeps the reasons for inactive status private from a third party, because no one else needs to see them.
- Builds familiarity with the State Bar’s portal, because you will use it again to reactivate.
Cons of filing pro se:
- Risk of MCLE miscertification, because lay filers often miscount carryover hours.
- Risk of incomplete trust account closure, because Rule 1.14 is technical.
- Risk of skipping Rule 1.15 notices, because solo filers under stress often forget.
- Risk of misreading the prorated dues table, because the dues schedule changes annually.
- Risk of overlooking a pending grievance, because filers may not realize a complaint has been opened.
FAQs
Can I practice law in Texas the day after my inactive status takes effect?
No. Inactive members may not practice law, give legal advice, or hold themselves out as Texas attorneys; doing so is unauthorized practice under Texas Penal Code § 38.122.
Do I keep my bar number when I go inactive?
Yes. Your 8-digit bar number stays with you for life, through inactive status, resignation, and reinstatement, because the State Bar treats it as a permanent identifier.
Is inactive status the same as resignation?
No. Inactive status pauses your right to practice but keeps the license; resignation ends the license and forces a new bar exam to return.
How much are inactive dues for 2025–2026?
Yes, there is a flat fee — inactive dues are $50 per year, due each July 1, far below the $148–$235 active member dues set by the State Bar dues schedule.
Do I still need to complete MCLE while inactive?
No. Inactive members are exempt from MCLE under Rule 6 of the MCLE Regulations, but voluntary CLE makes reactivation faster.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Full Legal Name box?
Yes, write whichever name currently appears on the State Bar roster, because a mismatch with the roster triggers a name-mismatch hold on the request.
Can I leave the Reason for Inactive Status box blank?
No. The form requires a reason for statistical reporting under Article III of the State Bar Rules, and a blank box returns the form unprocessed.
Do I write 0.00 or N/A in the IOLTA closing balance field if I never had a trust account?
Yes, write N/A — no IOLTA ever held and add the explanation in the margin, because the field cannot be left blank without triggering a follow-up call.
Should I check Yes on MCLE compliance if I’m in my first reporting year?
No. First-year licensees are exempt; check Exempt and write the first reporting year end-date, because the cross-check rejects a Yes with no posted hours.
Can I go inactive while a grievance is pending against me?
No. The Commission for Lawyer Discipline freezes status changes until the grievance closes, because inactive status cannot be used to dodge discipline.
How long does it take the State Bar to process the request?
Yes, processing is fast — 7–10 business days through the My Bar Page portal, 14–21 days by mail, and 10–14 days by fax.
Can I return to active status whenever I want?
Yes. File the Request for Active Status, pay the dues differential, and certify any MCLE catch-up; reactivation runs 4–6 weeks.
Do I need to notify my malpractice carrier when I go inactive?
Yes. Carriers require written notice within 30 days, because most policies convert to extended-reporting (tail) coverage when active practice ends.
What happens if I stay inactive for more than five years?
Yes, extra steps apply — Article III, Section 7 may require 15 additional CLE hours (including 3 ethics) before reactivation.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois ARDC Inactive Status Request (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Bar Annual Membership Fee Statement + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Texas Bar Application for Admission (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Bar MCLE Reporting (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Bar Pro Hac Vice Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Michigan Bar Inactive Status Form + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the State Bar of Arizona Annual Registration + FAQs