The Florida Bar Annual Membership Fee Statement is the official invoice every Florida Bar member must complete and return each year to keep their license to practice law active under Rule 1-7.3 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. The statement sets your annual fee, lets you elect active or inactive status, certifies your trust account compliance under the IOTA program, confirms pro bono reporting under Rule 4-6.1, and collects voluntary contributions to The Florida Bar Foundation. Miss the August 15 deadline and late fees start the very next day, with delinquency and automatic suspension following on October 1.
The Florida Bar has more than 110,000 members, making it the third-largest unified state bar in the country, and roughly 3% of members each year fall into delinquent status because of fee statement errors, missed deadlines, or incomplete certifications. This article walks you through the form one box at a time so you do not become part of that statistic.
- 📝 How to complete every line of the 2026–2027 Annual Membership Fee Statement, including hidden fields most members skip.
- 💳 The exact fee tiers, late penalties, and payment methods accepted through the Member Portal.
- ⚖️ How to elect inactive or retired status without accidentally giving up your right to practice.
- 🏦 How to certify IOTA compliance, CLER reporting, and pro bono reporting on the same statement.
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes that trigger rejection, late fees, or suspension under Rule 1-3.6.
What the Fee Statement Is and Who Must File It
The Annual Membership Fee Statement is the document The Florida Bar mails (and posts in the Member Portal) every May to all members of record. It is authorized by Rule 1-7.3, which requires every member to pay annual membership fees as a condition of remaining in good standing. The statement is more than a bill: it is a sworn certification that triggers your status, your trust account compliance, your CLER cycle, and your pro bono reporting all at once.
Every active Florida Bar member must file, including out-of-state members, military spouses with limited licenses, and authorized house counsel. Inactive members under Rule 1-3.3 must also file, paying a reduced fee, but they cannot practice law in Florida while inactive. Retired members who have formally elected retirement under Rule 1-3.5 are exempt from fees but should still acknowledge the statement when one is mailed.
The form solves a single problem: it documents that you have paid, certified, and reported everything required to keep your law license. Failure to file by August 15 sets in motion late fees, then delinquency, then suspension. A suspended lawyer who continues to practice commits the unauthorized practice of law under Chapter 10 — a criminal offense in Florida.
The statement is jurisdictional to Florida, but it interacts with federal practice. Members admitted to federal courts in Florida (such as the Middle, Northern, and Southern Districts) usually require Florida Bar good standing to remain in those federal rolls, so a lapse here cascades quickly.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering everything before you log in saves you from a half-finished statement that you have to redo. The Bar’s online system does save drafts, but a missing certification number or trust account answer can stall you mid-flow. Build your packet first.
Here is the pre-filing checklist every Florida Bar member should assemble before opening the Member Portal:
- Florida Bar number. This is your unique 6- or 7-digit ID. Without it, you cannot log in or look up your statement on the Find a Member directory.
- Member Portal username and password. Reset early if expired; password resets can take a few hours to clear.
- Current address of record. Under Rule 1-3.3, your official address must be current within 30 days. The fee statement asks you to confirm it.
- Trust account information. Bank name, account number, and IOTA-eligibility status are required for the IOTA certification under Rule 5-1.2.
- CLER cycle dates. Know your three-year CLER reporting cycle under Rule 6-10.3 so you do not certify the wrong cycle.
- Pro bono hours and contributions. You must report hours done and dollars donated for the prior calendar year under Rule 4-6.1.
- Section and division memberships. Decide which voluntary sections you want to renew (Tax, Family Law, Business Law, etc.) and have their dues amounts ready.
- Payment method. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, ACH, or paper check made payable to The Florida Bar.
- Email address on file. The Bar sends payment receipts and suspension notices by email; an outdated address can cause you to miss a delinquency notice.
If any of these are missing, the statement either rejects your submission or accepts an incorrect entry that you must amend later through the Membership Records Department.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The Florida Bar mails a paper Annual Membership Fee Statement to every member’s address of record in early May each year, and it simultaneously posts an electronic version inside the Member Portal. Both versions carry the same revision date — for the current cycle, the form is marked Rev. 05/2026 — and both produce the same legal effect once submitted.
To access the online version, log in at member.floridabar.org, click the Fees & CLE tab, and choose Pay Annual Fees. The portal pre-fills your name, Bar number, address, and prior-year status, and it prompts you for each certification in order.
If you prefer paper, the mailed form arrives folded inside a window envelope with a return envelope addressed to The Florida Bar, Member Records, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300. Lost the paper version? Call Member Records at (850) 561-5832 and they will mail a duplicate, or download the duplicate request form from the Bar’s site.
Members with disabilities can request an accessible version under the Bar’s ADA accommodation policy. Members serving overseas in the military can request a deferral under Rule 1-3.5 by contacting Member Records before the deadline.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Annual Membership Fee Statement Line by Line
The statement is organized into seven parts: identification, status election, IOTA certification, CLER certification, pro bono reporting, voluntary contributions and sections, and signature/payment. Every part has fields that must be completed exactly as printed, using the official rules as the controlling authority.
Part 1, Box A: Florida Bar Number
This box asks for the unique number The Florida Bar assigned to you when you were admitted. In plain English, it is your law license ID number, found on your Bar card and at the top of every dues statement.
To answer it, write your full Bar number with no leading zeros and no dashes — for example, 123456. The portal pre-fills this automatically when you log in, but the paper form requires you to handwrite it in the upper-right corner.
A specific example: Maria Lopez writes 0987654 as 987654 in Box A because her Bar number drops the leading zero on Bar records.
A common nuance arises if you were recently admitted: new members admitted between January 1 and June 30 receive a prorated statement; those admitted July 1 or later receive no statement until the next cycle. Confirm your admission date on the Find a Member page before filing.
The most common mistake is transposing two digits, which routes your payment to another lawyer’s account; the consequence is that your status remains delinquent even after you pay. A widespread misconception is that the Bar number is the same as your CLER ID — it is not, and confusing the two creates a CLER reporting failure.
Part 1, Box B: Full Legal Name
This box asks for your name exactly as it appears on the Florida Supreme Court roll of attorneys. In plain English, it is the name you were sworn in under, including any middle name or suffix.
Type or print your name in the format Last, First Middle Suffix with no nicknames. Carlos A. Rivera Jr. writes Rivera, Carlos A. Jr. in Box B.
If you have legally changed your name, you must first file a Name Change Request with Member Records under Rule 1-3.3. Submitting a different name on the fee statement without that filing creates a mismatch that delays processing.
The most common mistake is writing a married name when the roll still shows the maiden name; the consequence is that the payment posts to a non-existent account and is returned. The misconception here is that the Bar updates names automatically when other agencies do — it does not.
Part 1, Box C: Address of Record
This field asks for the official mailing address the Bar will use for all correspondence, including disciplinary notices. In plain English, it is your “served-here” address under Rule 1-3.3.
Enter the street address, city, state, and ZIP code, with no abbreviations beyond the standard USPS forms. Janet Kim writes 200 South Biscayne Blvd, Suite 2500, Miami, FL 33131.
A nuance: if you only have a P.O. Box, you must also list a street address for service of process. The form has a separate “Designated Mailing Address” box for that scenario.
The most common mistake is leaving the address stale after a move; the consequence is missing a Bar Counsel grievance notice, which can lead to default discipline. A misconception is that updating the firm’s address with the Florida Bar Foundation also updates Bar records — it does not.
Part 1, Box D: Email Address
This box asks for the email the Bar will use for all electronic notices, including delinquency and suspension warnings. In plain English, it is the digital twin of your address of record.
Enter a working professional email — not a shared assistant inbox. Marcus Bell enters mbell@bell-law.com.
The nuance: under Rule 1-3.3, you have an affirmative duty to maintain a current email and to update it within 30 days of any change.
The most common mistake is using a firm email after leaving the firm; the consequence is that you never see the Bar’s late-fee notice and slip into delinquency. A misconception is that Bar emails are optional — they are formal service of process for many notices.
Part 2, Box E: Membership Status Election
This is the most consequential field on the form. It asks whether you want to remain Active, elect Inactive status under Rule 1-3.3, or elect Retired status under Rule 1-3.5.
Check exactly one box. Diane Patel, who is taking a year off to raise her newborn, checks Inactive.
The 2026–2027 fee tiers are: Active — \$265, Inactive — \$175, Retired — \$0. Members admitted less than three years pay the same active fee; there is no longer a reduced “new lawyer” rate after the 2014 rule change.
A nuance: an inactive member cannot give legal advice, appear in court, or hold themselves out as a Florida lawyer. Retired members must affirmatively elect retirement and cannot return to active practice without petitioning for reinstatement under Rule 1-3.7.
The most common mistake is checking Inactive to save \$90 while continuing to practice; the consequence is the unauthorized practice of law, which is a third-degree felony under Florida Statute 454.23. The misconception is that Inactive is a quiet, no-consequence default — it is a binding legal status that takes effect immediately.
Part 3, Box F: IOTA Trust Account Certification
This box asks every member to certify whether they handle client trust funds and, if so, that those funds are in an IOTA-eligible account under Rule 5-1.1(g).
Check one of three options: I do hold trust funds in an IOTA account, I do not hold trust funds, or I am exempt because I am a government lawyer or in-house counsel. Ahmed Khan, a solo practitioner who handles real estate closings, checks the first box and lists his IOTA account at Truist Bank.
The nuance: the Florida Bar Foundation administers IOTA, and your bank must be an approved institution. Filing a non-approved bank triggers a follow-up letter from Foundation staff.
The most common mistake is checking “no trust funds” when you in fact hold a small retainer; the consequence is a Bar audit and potential discipline under Rule 5-1.2. The misconception is that flat-fee retainers are not trust funds — many are, until earned.
Part 4, Box G: CLER Compliance Certification
This box asks whether you have completed your Continuing Legal Education Requirement (CLER) for the cycle ending this year, under Rule 6-10.3. Florida requires 33 credit hours every three years, including 5 hours of ethics, 3 hours of technology, and 3 hours of professionalism, mental health, or substance abuse.
Check “completed,” “exempt,” or “deferred.” Aisha Greene, whose cycle ends 06/30/2026, checks completed and lists 36 hours on her CLE transcript.
A nuance: judges, full-time law professors, and military lawyers may be exempt under Rule 6-10.3(c). Confirm before checking the exempt box.
The most common mistake is certifying completion when you are short hours; the consequence is a CLER delinquency, a separate \$150 fee, and possible suspension. The misconception is that bar-sponsored webinars automatically post to your CLER record — they do not until the provider files with the Bar’s CLE office.
Part 5, Box H: Pro Bono Reporting
Under Rule 4-6.1, every member must report pro bono service for the prior calendar year. The form asks for hours of free legal service to the poor and dollars contributed to legal aid.
Enter both numbers, even if zero. Carlos Rivera Jr. enters 25 hours and \$500 contributed for 2025.
A nuance: reporting is mandatory, but the service itself is aspirational — the Bar’s goal is 20 hours or \$350 per member per year. You will not be disciplined for low numbers, but you will be disciplined for failing to report.
The most common mistake is leaving the box blank because you did nothing; the consequence is a non-reporting flag that delays processing. The misconception is that pro bono done through a firm-wide program does not count for individual reporting — it does, when you supervise or perform the work.
Part 6, Box I: Voluntary Bar Foundation Contribution
This optional field invites a tax-deductible donation to The Florida Bar Foundation, which funds legal aid statewide.
Enter any whole-dollar amount, or leave it blank. Janet Kim enters \$250.
The nuance: contributions are deductible as charitable gifts under IRC §170 when itemized.
The most common mistake is confusing this voluntary line with mandatory dues; the consequence is over- or underpayment. The misconception is that the donation is the same as IOTA interest — it is not.
Part 7, Box J: Section and Division Dues
This field lists The Florida Bar’s 27 voluntary sections (such as Family Law, Tax, Business Law, Real Property) and lets you renew or join with one checkbox each.
Check each section you want and enter the dues amount printed beside it. Marcus Bell joins the Tax Section for \$60 and the Business Law Section for \$65.
The nuance: section membership is separate from Bar membership; lapsing a section does not affect your license but does cut you off from CLE discounts and listservs.
The most common mistake is double-paying because you also pay through a section’s own portal; the consequence is a credit that the Bar will refund only on written request. The misconception is that section dues are mandatory — they are entirely optional.
Part 7, Box K: Signature and Date
The signature block asks you to certify under penalty of perjury that all answers above are true. The portal version uses an electronic signature checkbox; the paper version requires a wet signature and date.
Sign your full legal name and date the form MM/DD/YYYY. Diane Patel signs Diane R. Patel and dates 07/12/2026.
The nuance: an electronic signature in the Member Portal carries the same legal weight as a wet signature under Florida’s Electronic Signature Act.
The most common mistake is having an assistant sign on your behalf; the consequence is a void filing and possible discipline for misrepresentation. The misconception is that the date can be back- or forward-dated to control late fees — the system uses the actual submission timestamp.
Part 7, Box L: Payment Method
The final field asks how you are paying. Options are credit card, ACH debit, or check.
Choose one and enter the matching information. Ahmed Khan chooses ACH and enters his Truist routing and account numbers.
The nuance: credit card payments incur a 3.5% convenience fee charged by the Bar’s processor; ACH and check payments do not.
The most common mistake is paying by personal check from a trust account; the consequence is an IOTA violation plus a returned-check fee. The misconception is that the convenience fee is refundable — it is not.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how very different members complete the same statement. Each follows one named filer through the form.
Scenario 1: Carlos Rivera Jr., Active Solo Practitioner
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Box A — Bar Number | 123456 |
| Box B — Name | Rivera, Carlos A. Jr. |
| Box C — Address | 800 Brickell Ave, Suite 1400, Miami, FL 33131 |
| Box D — Email | carlos@riveralawpa.com |
| Box E — Status | Active (\$265) |
| Box F — IOTA | Holds trust funds; account at Bank of America |
| Box G — CLER | Completed; 34 hours, cycle ending 06/30/2026 |
| Box H — Pro Bono | 25 hours, \$500 to Legal Services of Greater Miami |
| Box I — Foundation | \$100 |
| Box J — Sections | Real Property (\$70), Solo & Small Firm (\$45) |
| Box K — Signature | Carlos A. Rivera Jr., 07/12/2026 |
| Box L — Payment | Credit card, total \$480 + 3.5% fee |
Scenario 2: Diane Patel, Inactive Member on Parental Leave
| Form Section | What Diane Enters |
|---|---|
| Box A — Bar Number | 987321 |
| Box B — Name | Patel, Diane R. |
| Box C — Address | 45 Live Oak Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32301 |
| Box D — Email | dpatel.esq@gmail.com |
| Box E — Status | Inactive (\$175) |
| Box F — IOTA | Does not hold trust funds — inactive |
| Box G — CLER | Deferred — inactive status |
| Box H — Pro Bono | 0 hours, \$0 contributed |
| Box I — Foundation | Blank |
| Box J — Sections | None |
| Box K — Signature | Diane R. Patel, 06/30/2026 |
| Box L — Payment | ACH from personal checking, \$175 |
Scenario 3: Judge Marcus Bell, Active Member with Judicial Exemption
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Box A — Bar Number | 445566 |
| Box B — Name | Bell, Marcus T. |
| Box C — Address | Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301 |
| Box D — Email | mbell@leoncountyfl.gov |
| Box E — Status | Active (\$265) |
| Box F — IOTA | Exempt — government lawyer |
| Box G — CLER | Exempt under Rule 6-10.3(c) |
| Box H — Pro Bono | 0 hours, \$350 contributed |
| Box I — Foundation | \$250 |
| Box J — Sections | Trial Lawyers (\$60) |
| Box K — Signature | Marcus T. Bell, 08/01/2026 |
| Box L — Payment | Check #2034, \$575 |
How to File the Completed Form
The Florida Bar accepts the Annual Membership Fee Statement through three filing channels. Each channel has its own fee, processing time, and proof-of-filing.
Online through the Member Portal. The fastest channel. Log in at member.floridabar.org, complete each part, and submit. Payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or ACH. Credit cards add a 3.5% convenience fee; ACH is free. Processing is real-time, and your receipt and updated good-standing certificate are emailed within minutes. Save the PDF receipt as your proof of filing.
By mail. Print the paper form (or use the original mailed copy), sign in ink, and mail with a check or money order payable to The Florida Bar to The Florida Bar, Member Records, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300. No credit cards by mail. Processing takes 7–10 business days from receipt. Your proof of filing is the cancelled check and your USPS Certified Mail receipt — always send Certified.
In person. Walk into the Bar’s headquarters at 651 East Jefferson Street in Tallahassee during business hours (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekdays). Pay by check or money order. Staff stamp your copy as proof of filing on the spot.
The deadline is August 15 of each year. Payments postmarked August 16 through September 30 incur a \$50 late fee. After September 30, members are declared delinquent under Rule 1-3.6, adding a separate \$150 reinstatement fee plus the original dues.
What Happens After You File
After your payment posts, the Bar updates your status to Member in Good Standing in the Find a Member directory, usually within 24 hours for online filings and within 10 business days for mailed filings. You receive an email receipt that doubles as proof of payment for firm reimbursement and tax records.
The Bar also issues your annual Bar card by mail in late summer; expect it within 6–8 weeks. If you elected Inactive status, your record changes immediately, and any active-member listings (court rosters, e-filing portals) update over the following weeks.
If your IOTA, CLER, or pro bono certifications raise a flag, the Bar’s Department of Lawyer Regulation sends a follow-up letter. Respond within the deadline stated — usually 30 days — to avoid a referral to grievance committee.
Late or non-payment triggers the escalation timeline in Rule 1-3.6: late notice on August 16, delinquency on October 1, and Supreme Court suspension by separate order if delinquency continues past 60 days.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each of the mistakes below is one the Bar’s Member Records staff cite as the most common cause of rejected, delayed, or late-flagged statements.
- Transposing your Bar number digits. Your payment posts to another lawyer’s account and yours stays delinquent.
- Using a stale address of record. You miss late-fee, delinquency, and suspension notices and lose due-process protections.
- Checking Inactive while still practicing. You commit unauthorized practice under Florida Statute 454.23, a third-degree felony.
- Certifying CLER completion when short hours. You incur a \$150 CLER delinquency fee and risk suspension.
- Skipping the pro bono boxes because numbers are zero. Non-reporting itself is the violation, not zero hours.
- Misclassifying flat-fee retainers as non-trust funds. Triggers an IOTA audit and possible Rule 5-1.2 discipline.
- Paying with a trust account check. Violates Rule 5-1.1 and creates a separate disciplinary issue.
- Letting an assistant sign on your behalf. Voids the certification and exposes you to misrepresentation charges.
- Mailing a check without Certified Mail. No proof of timely filing if the Bar claims it never arrived.
- Forgetting to update your email. Suspension notices go to a dead inbox and you lose the right to contest before the deadline.
- Confusing voluntary section dues with mandatory fees. Either overpays or underpays the total due.
- Waiting until August 14 to file. Portal slowdowns near the deadline can push your timestamp into August 16.
Do’s and Don’ts
The Florida Bar’s Member Benefits page summarizes best practices, but these are the field-tested rules that veterans follow.
- Do file in May or June, the moment the statement arrives, while your CLER and IOTA records are fresh in mind.
- Do print and save your PDF receipt; firms reimburse only with a receipt, and the IRS treats it as a deductible business expense.
- Do verify your status on Find a Member within 48 hours of payment to catch posting errors.
- Do update your address and email at the same time you pay to keep both records in sync.
- Do use ACH instead of credit card to avoid the 3.5% convenience fee on a \$265+ payment.
-
Do call Member Records at (850) 561-5832 the moment something looks wrong — staff fix posting errors quickly when caught early.
-
Don’t check Inactive as a money-saving move while continuing to take cases.
- Don’t rely on your firm administrator to file for you without a written confirmation of payment.
- Don’t ignore a CLER deficiency letter — the 30-day clock runs from the date on the letter, not the date you read it.
- Don’t pay from a client trust account under any circumstances.
- Don’t assume a name change with the DMV updates the Bar — file the name change form separately.
- Don’t wait for paper copies to arrive if mail to your address is slow; the Member Portal is always available.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most Florida Bar members file the statement themselves through the portal, but some firms use a central administrator to batch-file for all attorneys. Each path has trade-offs.
Pros of filing yourself:
- You control the timestamp and avoid blame-shifting if something is missed.
- You see every certification firsthand, which keeps your CLER and IOTA awareness sharp.
- You avoid administrator errors, which are the leading cause of mass-firm delinquencies.
- You retain the receipt directly for tax and reimbursement records.
- You can immediately confirm good standing on Find a Member.
Cons of filing yourself:
- It takes 20–30 minutes you may not have during a busy summer.
- You bear sole responsibility for any miscertification.
- You have to track section dues separately for each section you join.
- You miss out on firm batch-payment discounts some sections offer.
- You may forget to update your email or address while in the flow.
Pros of using a firm administrator:
- Centralized payment is efficient for firms with 20+ attorneys.
- One W-9 and one payment method covers everyone.
- Administrators track deadlines firm-wide and chase laggards.
- Some firms pay sections automatically, removing decision fatigue.
- Receipts are filed centrally for accounting.
Cons of using a firm administrator:
- The certifications are personal under Rule 1-7.3; you cannot delegate the truth of them.
- Administrator turnover causes missed deadlines.
- Mass-mail rejections can take weeks to surface.
- Lateral-move attorneys often fall through the cracks during firm transitions.
- You may not see the receipt until weeks later.
Active vs. Inactive Status at a Glance
| Feature | Active Member |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (2026–2027) | \$265 |
| May practice law in Florida | Yes |
| CLER reporting required | Yes — 33 hours/3 years under Rule 6-10.3 |
| IOTA certification required | Yes if holding trust funds |
| Pro bono reporting required | Yes under Rule 4-6.1 |
| Listed in Find a Member as | Member in Good Standing |
| Switching status mid-year | Allowed by petition under Rule 1-3.7 |
| Reinstatement after lapse | Petition + fees + CLER catch-up |
| Feature | Inactive Member |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (2026–2027) | \$175 |
| May practice law in Florida | No |
| CLER reporting required | No, but must catch up to reactivate |
| IOTA certification required | No |
| Pro bono reporting required | Encouraged, not required |
| Listed in Find a Member as | Inactive |
| Switching status mid-year | Allowed by written election |
| Reinstatement to active | Petition under Rule 1-3.7 plus CLER cure |
FAQs
Is the Florida Bar Annual Membership Fee Statement the same as the Bar dues invoice?
Yes — they are two names for the same document mailed each May under Rule 1-7.3, combining dues, certifications, and section selections in one filing.
Can I file the statement after August 15 without penalty?
No — the Member Portal automatically adds a \$50 late fee starting August 16, and a \$150 delinquency fee applies after October 1.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box B?
No maiden name unless that is the name on the Florida Supreme Court roll; you must first file a separate name change request before changing it on the statement.
Should I check Inactive in Box E to save money during a slow year?
No — Inactive status bars all Florida law practice under Rule 1-3.3, and practicing while inactive is a third-degree felony under Florida Statute 454.23.
Do I have to certify IOTA in Box F if I never touch client money?
Yes — every member certifies, but you check the “do not hold trust funds” option under Rule 5-1.1 so the Bar has an answer on file.
Can I leave the pro bono boxes in Part 5 blank if I did zero hours?
No — you must enter zero in both fields under Rule 4-6.1; leaving them blank counts as non-reporting, which is itself a violation.
Is the Florida Bar Foundation contribution in Box I mandatory?
No — it is entirely voluntary and tax-deductible as a charitable gift to The Florida Bar Foundation.
Can my paralegal sign Box K on my behalf?
No — signatures must be personal under Rule 1-7.3; a delegated signature voids the filing and exposes you to misrepresentation discipline.
Is paying by credit card the same total as paying by ACH?
No — credit cards carry a 3.5% convenience fee on the Member Portal, while ACH and check payments are free.
Can I switch from Active to Inactive after I pay the active fee?
Yes — you may petition under Rule 1-3.7, but the Bar generally does not refund the difference between active and inactive fees mid-year.
Will I get a paper Bar card after I file?
Yes — the Bar mails a wallet-sized card for the new year within 6–8 weeks of payment posting.
Do retired members under Rule 1-3.5 still file the statement?
No fee is owed, but retired members should still acknowledge any statement they receive and confirm retired status with Member Records.
Does the statement update my CLER record automatically?
No — CLER hours come from your providers’ filings with the Bar’s CLE office; the statement only certifies that you have completed the cycle.
Can I file the statement from outside the United States?
Yes — the Member Portal accepts filings worldwide, and members on military deployment may request a deferral under Rule 1-3.5.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Bar CLE Reporting Affidavit (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Bar IOTA Trust Account Confirmation (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Bar IOTA Trust Account Registration (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Bar Inactive Status Petition (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Bar Annual Membership Fee Statement + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the State Bar of Arizona Annual Registration + FAQs