Membership Status Changes

I.  Status Change to Active

To change your status back to Active, you will need to pay Active dues and court fees for the current fiscal year (June 1 ~ May 31) minus any dues and fees already paid within that fiscal year. Please contact the Member Records Coordinator at 603-224-6942 for total amount due and further instructions.

II.  Status Change to Inactive, Inactive Retired, or Military Inactive

  1. Read the Article II, Section 3 excerpt from the Constitution and Article II, Section 6 from the By-Laws of the New Hampshire Bar Association; they fully explain the distinctions between an ACTIVE member and an INACTIVE member of the Association.
  2. Read the NHBA Ethics Committee Formal Opinion #1988-9/2.
  3. Complete the Status Change Form to reflect your specific request.
    1. Status Change To INACTIVE Any member whose Association Dues and Court Fees are current and not engaged in the practice of law in NH, not designated as “of Counsel” in NH, or in a position the duties of which require the giving of legal advice or service in NH are eligible for Inactive status.
    2. Status Change To INACTIVE RETIRED Any member whose Association Dues and Court Fees are current and is fully retired from the practice of law in all jurisdictions is eligible.
    3. Status Change To MILITARY INACTIVE Any member whose Association Dues and Court Fees are current and is on active duty in the Armed Forces is eligible. Dues and court fees are waived for the duration of your active duty service.
      • Limitations While On INACTIVE, INACTIVE RETIRED or MILITARY INACTIVE Status:
        Members on ANY of the INACTIVE statuses listed above CANNOT:
        1. Practice law in the state of NH.
        2. Be designated as “of Counsel” in the state of NH.
        3. Vote in Association affairs, or hold an office.
      • Members on ANY of the INACTIVE statuses listed above:
        1. Can be a member of an Association section provided the $40.00 sign-up fee is paid.
        2. Will continue to receive the NH Bar News.
        3. Can be reinstated to Active status by paying the Active dues and Court fees for the current fiscal year (June 1-May 31) minus any dues & fees already paid in that fiscal year. Please contact the Member Records Coordinator, 603-224-6942, for total amount due, if any.

III.  Limited Active Status –Bylaws Article II, Section 7

Limited Active Membership Status for unpaid volunteer pro bono service through 603 Legal Aid, NH Legal Assistance (NHLA), and Disabilities Rights Center-NH (DRC). Members who are otherwise not engaged in the practice of law in any jurisdiction, or who occupy a position the duties of which do not require the giving of legal advice or services in New Hampshire or any other jurisdiction, are eligible to request Limited Active Membership Status for pro bono legal services for the sole purpose of providing unpaid volunteer civil pro bono legal services to the indigent. As annually certified, by April 20th, by the Director of the named entity. The annual membership fee for the Limited Active Membership Status for pro bono Service shall not exceed 10% of the Active membership fee. The NHBA Board of Governors reserves the right to grant and rescind Limited Active Membership Status, and strongly encourages members requesting or maintaining this membership status to volunteer for approved civil legal services through one or more of the above named entities for a minimum of 40 hours per year.

IV.   Status Change to Resigned

We suggest that you consider an Inactive, or Inactive Retired membership status rather than resignation. If you decide that resignation is the choice you want to make, please read Article II, Section 8. You must be in good standing (all dues & fees paid; CLE invoices paid; NHMCLE credits up to date; and nothing pending at the Attorney Discipline Office) to be eligible.

If you want or need to practice in the state of New Hampshire after you have resigned, the requirements for readmission are found in Supreme Court Rule 37(15).

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do when I wish to return to ACTIVE status?
Call the NH Bar Association to find out how much you owe in dues for the one fiscal year in which you are returning to ACTIVE status. If you have paid the INACTIVE dues for that year, you will simply owe the balance. Your status will be changed to ACTIVE the day your INACTIVE dues are paid up in full.

SC Rule 53.1.B.3. Return to Active Membership Status -- Lawyers who are suspended or have selected INACTIVE membership status with the New Hampshire Bar Association for more than two (2) consecutive reporting years are required to complete 360 minutes of additional CLE upon returning to ACTIVE membership status. Lawyers may complete the additional credits during the reporting year in which they return to active membership status or in the reporting year immediately preceding. Lawyers shall report completion of these credits by such method as the NHMCLE Board shall prescribe.

Contact the Member Records Coordinator, 603-715-3208 for more information.

What types of INACTIVE status are available?

  • Inactive
  • Military Inactive
  • Inactive Retired
  • Honorary Inactive

Learn about each of the available statuses.

How do I change my status to inactive?
Read the requirement for the status you wish to change to (see above), fill out the status change form and submit it to Member Records Coordinator, 2 Pillsbury St., Ste 300, Concord NH 03301. Questions? Call 603-715-3208.

Must I complete the Trust Accounting Compliance form mailed with my dues if I change to any of the INACTIVE statuses?
If you were on ACTIVE status for any portion of the prior fiscal year (June 1 – May 31) you must file the TAC form. If you are in doubt or have questions, please call the PCC office at 603-224-5828.

Must I complete the NHMCLE Affidavit of Compliance included with the status change form packet if I change to any of the Inactive Statuses?
If you were on ACTIVE Status for any portion of the prior Reporting Year (June 1 – May 31) you must fill out the NHMCLE Affidavit. If you have completed you NHMCLE requirement, you will sign the Non-exempt affidavit. If you have not completed your minutes and are exempt, you will fill out the Exempt Affidavit and the check the Exemption you are claiming.

Other questions
If, after reading this information, you still have unanswered questions regarding a status change, please email or call the Member Records Coordinator at the New Hampshire Bar Center, (603) 224-6942.

Related Links