Nine Justices sit on the United States Supreme Court. Whenever a sitting justice either voluntarily retires or passes away, a vacancy on the court is recognized. The President of the United States nominates someone to fill the vacant seat, with the advice and consent of the US Senate. A nomination to the Court is considered to be official when the Senate receives a signed nomination letter from the President. Once the Senate has held hearings and investigated the qualifications of the nominee, they vote and if a majority is in favor, the person is approved and takes his or her place on the highest court in the land.