This information was obtained from the floridabarexam website. Always check to make sure there have not been any changes or updates to this information. This is meant only as a guide.
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. A ticket of admission into the examination will not be issued if the complete application and required supplemental documents are not provided. If all required documents are not filed timely, late fees may be assessed.
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
Completion of this application will be time consuming. In order to complete your Bar Application efficiently online, it is suggested that you gather information and have it available when you complete the online questionnaire.
| ____1. | Residence information including dates and complete addresses for the past 3 years, dates and city/state since your 16th birthday |
| ____2. | Names and addresses of all undergraduate and graduate schools you attended and dates of attendance |
| ____3. | Names of all law schools attended and dates of attendance |
| ____4. | Five personal references who have known you well within the past 5 years, including names and current mailing addresses. |
| ____5. | Employment information for the last 10 years or since your 16th birthday, whichever is shorter. You are required to provide employers’ names, addresses, dates employed, position, type of business, supervisor and reason for leaving. Include self-employment or association with any occupation, business, enterprise or profession, either part-time or full-time. Include employment as a law clerk; include positions in clinics, internships, externships, or other similar non-paid positions. |
| ____6. | Financial information about delinquent credit, defaulted credit, unfiled tax returns, checks returned for insufficient funds and delinquent student loans |
| ____7. | Information about arrests, charges or accusations (including traffic violations) reporting dates, law enforcement agency, explanation of event and final disposition. If your arrest records are sealed, you must petition the appropriate court to unseal those records. |
| ____8. | Information about all bar admission or registration applications filed in Florida or any other jurisdiction |
| ____9. | 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. |
| ____10. | 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. |
| ____11. | Certificate of Dean Complete the top section and submit the Certificate of Dean to your law school dean after your graduation. If attending a Florida law school, do not provide the form to your school. |
The following documents from other agencies may be needed, depending on your response to various items on the Bar Application.
| ____12. | A copy of your DD-214, reflecting your character of service and re-entry code |
| ____13. | For lawsuits where you are personally named a defendant or counter-defendant, you are required to 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. |
| ____14. | Copies of bar applications or registrations filed in any other jurisdiction |
| ____15. | Certificates of Good Standing from each jurisdiction where you are admitted |
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 do not 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. |
| ____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. | Complete the handwriting sample in Section C at the end of your printed copy of the online Bar Application. |
| ____11. | Proceed to Section D of the Bar Application. |
| ____12. | When you have responded to all items, click the button, “Finalize My Application.” The program will accumulate your responses in a document and display it on the screen. Print the document. |
| ____13. | Complete the handwriting sample on the last page of Section D. |
| ____14. | Print and complete all supplemental forms in Step 4 below. |
| ____15. | Have all documents [Bar Application (Sections A-C), Bar Application (Section D), 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. |
| ____16. | 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 (Sections A-C) Completed and properly notarized. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. |
| ____2. | Bar Application (Section D) Completed and properly notarized. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. |
| ____3. | Authorization and Release (PDF – 63k) Three (3) originals, completed and properly notarized |
| ____4. | Affidavit of Compliance (PDF – 62k) |
| ____5. | Application fee Computed using the Application Fee Worksheet (PDF – 46k). Clip the check to the front page of the Bar Application. |
| ____6. | 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. |
| ____7. | 2″ x 2″ passport photograph Write your name on the back and staple to the Examination Application (if filed concurrently) or to the first page of the Bar Application. If previously filed with Examination Application, do not resubmit. |
| ____8. | Proof of citizenship |
All of the following as applicable:
| ____9. | Copies of letters of request for undergraduate and graduate transcripts |
| ____10. | Documentation of military service (DD-214, Report of Separation, or equivalent) |
| ____11. | Copies of litigation documents |
| ____12. | A copy of the judge’s signed order to unseal arrest records |
| ____13. | Copies of letters to doctors (as required by Items 25-26) |
| ____14. | Copies of bar applications from other jurisdictions |
| ____15. | Certificates of Good Standing |
| ____16. | 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 |
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)
Again, this is to be used as a guide only, alway check with the Florida Bar to make sure you comply with all of the specifics.
Soreide Law Group, PLLC, represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.