When applying for the Florida Bar, it is incredibly important that you first review the application question, then collect all necessary paperwork (See Documents That Could Be Required, below).
To help ensure honest and complete answers, you’ll be referring to the paperwork you gather. Obtaining all the necessary documents can be a time-consuming process, so it’s very tempting to just guess and answer questions off the top of your head, but remember: the Board will get the paperwork, and they’ll compare it against what you submitted. It’s highly unlikely that your memory is 100% accurate. Don’t create a candor issue for yourself where one doesn’t exist – it’s preventable at the application stage.
NOTE: Some questions on the Bar application overlap with law school application questions. If you’re thinking that you probably should have gathered documents before filling out your law school applications, you’re right. It’s not too late to amend your law school application with more detail or correct misinformation, after you get the documents. Check with your law school to find out the requirements for application amendments.
Failing to submit any required forms or data along with your Florida Bar application can significantly slow the process. It could even cause your application to be denied or subject you to a defective filing fee and/or late fees.
We can’t stress enough the importance of carefully reviewing all parts of your application before submitting it – even reviewing the fee check, which needs to be made out properly to The Florida Board of Bar Examiners, and include the correct fees. This is why we have created this page to help you get your Application for the Florida Bar done properly the first time. Our Florida Bar Application Checklist covers what you need to complete your Florida Bar Application.
Documents Required For Your Florida Bar Application
- Proof of Citizenship
- Certified copy of birth certificate
- Or photocopy of certificate of naturalization
- Or certification of citizenship
- For noncitizens – provide a copy of immigration documents
- Residence List
- Three year residence list with dates and addresses.
- City and state list and dates since you turned 16 years of age.
- Schools Attended (include dates of attendance)
- Undergraduate and graduate schools
- Law schools
- Transcripts are also required from all schools and should be sent to the board from the educational institution
- Personal References
- Must include 5 references who know you well and within the last 5 years
- Include each person’s full name, mailing address, and phone number
- Employment
- From the last 10 years or since you turned 16 years of age (whichever is shorter)
- Include information on jobs where you were terminated
- Include self-employment, full-time, part-time, internships, externships
- Include employers’ names, addresses, phone numbers, date range of employment, job title, business type, supervisor and reason for leaving.
- Military Service Information
- Financial Details
- Delinquent and defaulted credit
- Delinquent student loans
- Liens/judgements
- Payments returned for insufficient funds
- Unfiled tax returns
- Litigation (where you were named as a party) – this includes but is not limited:
- Divorce
- Bankruptcy
- Administrative or executive proceedings
- Arrests, Charges, Violations
- Dates
- Agency
- Explanation of event
- Final disposition
- Sealed records must be unsealed by petition with the appropriate court
- Details about all bar admission and registration applications filed in any jurisdiction
- Fingerprints must be scanned and submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI. Confirmation must be received by the board before your application will be processed.
Documents That Could Be Required For Your Florida Bar Application - and That Should Be Used when Answering Application Questions
- Complete copy of any reports/statements (from police, witnesses, etc.) related to misdemeanor and/or felony charges, and citations
- Complete copy of university/college transcripts for all schools attended
- If you were suspended or otherwise disciplined in school, a complete copy of your student file
- Complete copy of employment history (obtainable through Social Security)
- If you were terminated, written up, etc., a complete copy of your employment file
- Complete copy of a recent credit report
- Complete copy of bar applications and registrations from other jurisdictions
- If you have been a defendant or counter-defendant in a lawsuit, a copy of the complaint or initial pleading, answer, counterclaim, disposition of each action, or documentation from the court that documents are not available.
- Records of bankruptcy, divorce, and any other court proceedings in your history.
- DD-214 with reentry code and character of military service
When You’re Ready To Complete Your Application To The Florida Bar
- The Florida Bar Application must be completed online.
- Use Google Chrome and a high speed connection, if possible.
- You will need to install a Two Factor Authenticator such as Authy on your smart device. Be sure to enable backups.
- Create an account
- Log into your account.
- Complete each section thoroughly and save when the section is complete.
- When your application is complete you will be able to review it. Be sure that each response is finished and is accurate.
- Finalize your Florida bar application.
- A cover sheet must be generated, printed, and mailed to the board. It must be received within 6 months.
- While you can print out a copy of your application for your records, DO NOT mail a copy to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners – they already have your online application.
- Your student registration fee can be submitted electronically or by attaching a check or certified money order to your cover sheet. Checks and money order must be payable to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.
Where To Mail Florida Bar Application Cover Sheet And Documents (note the different zip codes)
Via US Postal Service:
1891 Eider Court
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1750
Via FedEx, Priority USPS, etc:
1891 Eider Court
Tallahassee, FL 32309
Florida Bar Application Amendments
Note that to be considered timely, the Board must get your Bar application amendment within 30 days of any change to an application answer.
You might want to check if your law school requires amendments to the law school application after you’ve been admitted – most do.
You can amend a Bar application electronically, directly in your applicant portal, or print an Amendment to Application form from your portal if you want to submit a written amendment . Pick only one way to make the amendment . Type or write in ink the necessary amendment information including the file number. Be sure to sign this paperwork. A notarized Amendment application can be mailed to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.
What Is A Passing Score For The Florida Bar?
In February of 2023, only 54.7% of first-timers passed the Florida bar. In February of 2022, the rate was 62.6%.
There are actually two ways in which you can pass the Florida Bar. One way is by the Individual Method, where you pass both Parts A and B individually. The other is by the Overall Method, where your average score between the two sections is 136 or more.
How Long Is The Florida Bar Exam?
The Florida Bar Exam is taken over two days. On the morning of the first day, you will answer three essay questions. In the afternoon of the first day, you will complete 100 multiple choice questions. On the second day, you will complete the Multistate Bar Exam, which has 200 multiple choice questions. The questions will be divided in half between the morning and the afternoon.
Florida Bar Application Checklist Review
We have reviewed all the documentation you will need and might need for your Florida Bar application. We also provided information on filling out your application online and the final steps of this process. The key is to take your time and get every detail just right. But this process is tedious, and many people struggle to get things right on their own. Seek knowledgeable counsel from Elizabeth S. Conan, Attorney at Law, so that you can complete your Florida Bar Application correctly, completely, and honestly the first time.
