Although Cui Lin was a member of the influential Cui family of Qinghe Commandery, his extended family was not well-acquainted with him, and only his cousin Cui Yan thought him exceptional.
In 213, Cao Cao was enfeoffed as the Duke of Wei (魏公), and Cui Lin was promoted to Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk (御史中丞), a powerful position overseeing correspondence from the provincial inspectors and their subordinates.