This form is designed to assist you in gathering information, completing your Bar Application and preparing the material to submit a complete application. Click the various links to access information or printer-friendly forms. Applications submitted with accurate and complete item responses and all required supplemental documents can be processed more expeditiously. Processing will not be initiated on defective applications and an additional defective fee may be charged.
STEP 1 - PRINT AND USE CHECKLIST
| ____1. | Print this Checklist |
| ____2. | Check each item when completed to ensure that your Bar Application includes all necessary supplemental documents and information |
STEP 2 - GATHER INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
It is suggested that you gather this information and have it available when you complete the updated Bar Application.
| ____1. | A copy of your prior Bar Application and all amendments previously filed by you. If you did not retain a copy, you may request a copy by writing to the address below and submitting the $35.00 copying fee. It is not necessary to submit a copy of your prior application with your supplement. |
| ____2. | Read and review each item of your prior Bar Application and amendments you previously filed to determine what additional information must be provided on your new application to assure that each response is correct and current. Items that are subject to change are residence addresses, employment information, and credit information. |
| ____3. | Five personal references who have known you well within the past 5 years, including names and current mailing addresses. |
| ____4. | Fingerprints (even if completed with a prior application) All applicants for admission to The Florida Bar must have their fingerprints scanned for electronic submission to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and to the FBI by Integrated Biometric Technology (IBT). Instructions for this step are in the answer to How do I submit the required fingerprints? in our FAQ. Confirmation of your compliance with this step must be received by the board before processing of your application can begin. |
| ____5. | If not previously provided, transcripts from all undergraduate schools from which you received an undergraduate degree, transcripts from all law schools attended (except your current law school, if you are still attending), even if the credit was transferred to another school or is reflected on another school's transcript, and transcripts from any post-secondary schools attended subsequent to law school. You should request that all transcripts be sent from each educational institution attended directly to the Board's office and provide a copy of each request with your application. |
The following documents from other agencies may be needed, depending on your response to various items on the Bar Application and whether the items were previously provided. If any of these items were previously provided, you are not required to submit them with your updated application.
| ____6. | A copy of your DD-214, reflecting your character of service and re-entry code |
| ____7. | For lawsuits where you are personally named a defendant or counter-defendant, include an exact and complete copy of the complaint or other initial pleading, answer, counterclaim, if any, and the disposition of each action, or a letter from the court verifying that the documents are not available. |
| ____8. | Copies of bar applications or registrations filed in any other jurisdiction. |
| ____9. | Certificates of Good Standing from each jurisdiction where you are admitted dated within the last six months. |
STEP 3 - COMPLETE THE BAR APPLICATION ONLINE
When you have gathered the information above, you are ready to complete the online Bar Application. A high-speed Internet connection is recommended.
| ____1. | Read the Introduction to the Online Bar Application. |
| ____2. | Create an Account. If you are unable to complete the online application within six months from the date you create your account, your account and all of the information you have entered will be deleted; you will have to start over by creating a new account. |
| ____3. | Log in to access the Main Menu of the Bar Application. It is best to answer the items in order. |
| ____4. | You may start and stop completion of the online Bar Application as necessary. To securely exit the program, return to the Main Menu, Log out and close your browser. When returning to the program, access the Bar Application's Main Menu from the "Resume Bar Application" link found on the left side of the Home page. |
| ____5. | Complete each item of the application until you have completed and saved each item as finished. Three columns of items are displayed, Not Started, Saved As Draft, and Saved As Finished. Each item must be complete in its entirety, including all prior information as well as any supplemental information. |
| ____6. | When all items are saved as finished on the Main Menu page, you will be offered instructions for printing a "Draft Version" of your Bar Application. Follow the on-screen instructions. When ready to proceed, click the "Draft Version" button. This will accumulate your individual item responses into a printer-friendly document and display it on your screen. Print the draft. |
| ____7. | Read and carefully review each item of the "Draft Version" of your application to assure that each item prints completely and correctly. Make individual item revisions or additions by clicking that item in the "Underway" column, reentering or correcting data and saving your work. You may print the draft as many times as necessary. |
| ____8. | When you are certain that your application is complete and accurate, return to the Main Menu page and follow the on-screen directions following the "Draft Version" button. Do not press the "Final Version" button without printing a draft and making corrections. You will not be able to make changes or additions to your Bar Application after clicking the "Final Version" button. When ready to proceed, click the "Final Version" button and your responses will be accumulated in a finalized printer-friendly document and displayed on your screen. |
| ____9. | Print two (2) copies of the "Final Version" of your Bar Application. You will need one copy to submit to the Board within six months of creating the final version and one copy for your records. Do not delay printing. The "Final Version" of your Bar Application will be removed from the Web Server 24 hours after creating the "Final Version". If you do not print the "Final Version" during this 24-hour interval, you will have to create another account and re-enter all item data. The "Draft Version" of your Bar Application will not be accepted. |
| ____10. | Do not proceed to Section D of the Bar Application. |
| ____11. | Complete the handwriting sample in Section C at the end of your printed copy of the online Bar Application. As you execute this sample, carefully read the text that you are writing regarding your obligation to keep the application current and complete after filing. |
| ____12. | Print and complete all supplemental forms in Step 4 below. |
| ____13. | Have all documents (Bar Application, Authorization and Release, Financial Affidavit, etc.) notarized. The notary should require identification and place you under oath prior to requiring you to sign each document. |
| ____14. | Confirm that the notarization is properly executed (including that the notary properly indicates how you were identified, signs, dates, and affixes his or her stamp). Incorrect notarization will cause your application to be returned and delay initiation of the background investigation. |
STEP 4 - PACKING LIST TO SUBMIT A COMPLETE BAR APPLICATION
As you package your application, check off each item below confirming that you have completed and included each required item.
| ____1. | Bar Application Completed and properly notarized. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. |
| ____2. | Authorization and Release (PDF - 63k) Three (3) originals, completed and properly notarized |
| ____3. | Affidavit of Compliance (PDF - 62k) (if not previously provided) |
| ____4. | Application fee Please see rule 2-28 (if previously denied), rule 2-29 (if filing after going stale), or rule 2-23.2 or rule 2-23.4, whichever is applicable (if filing after termination). Clip the check to the front page of the Bar Application. |
| ____5 | Fingerprints All applicants for admission to The Florida Bar must have their fingerprints scanned for electronic submission to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and to the FBI by Integrated Biometric Technology (IBT). Instructions for this step are in the answer to How do I submit the required fingerprints? in our FAQ. Confirmation of your compliance with this step must be received by the board before processing of your application can begin. |
All of the following as applicable:
| ____6. | Copies of letters of request for undergraduate and graduate transcripts |
| ____7. | Documentation of military service (DD-214, Report of Separation, or equivalent) |
| ____8. | Copies of litigation documents |
| ____9. | A copy of the judge's signed order to unseal arrest records |
| ____10. | Copies of letters to doctors (as required by items 25 and 26) |
| ____11. | Copies of bar applications from other jurisdictions |
| ____12. | Financial Affidavit (PDF - 442k) This form should be completed if required by a response to an item on the Bar Application |
Address your package to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and mail within six months of creating the final version.
| U.S. Postal Service: 1891 Eider Court Tallahassee, FL 32399-1750 |
FED EX or other delivery service: 1891 Eider Court Tallahassee, FL 32308 |
Do you need to file for admission into a Bar Examination? If yes, refer to our Checklist to File a Re-Examination/Conversion Application (repeater, postponer, or converter) for instructions and forms.
Reporting Changes to the Bar Application
Your Bar Application is a continuing application and you have an obligation to keep the responses to all items current and complete by the filing of timely amendments. Updates to your Bar Application should be made by using the Amendment form (PDF - 72k).