When you submit your application through the Applicant Portal or send a hard copy to the Office of Admissions, the moral character determination process begins. Here's how it unfolds:
An Application for Determination of Moral Character (Determination Application) may be accessed and submitted in the Applicant Portal any time after the applicant registers with the State Bar as a law student or attorney applicant.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a moral character application at the beginning of the last year of law study or at least eight to 10 months prior to the date they wish to be admitted to practice law in California.
Applicants for a Multijurisdictional Practice Program or the Registered Foreign Legal Consultant Program must submit a moral character application after registering with the State Bar as an attorney applicant, in addition to submitting an application for the desired program.
When you submit a Determination Application, you must:
When you submit a Moral Character Extension Application, you must:
After receiving your application, we will send you an email to confirm its receipt. It's the first step in ensuring your application is on track.
The Office of Admissions will then conduct an initial review to ensure your application is complete. If it is, we'll notify you via email that your application has been deemed filed and will be further processed. If it's not complete due to missing information, documentation, or payment, we'll let you know via email. Please note that applications incomplete for more than 60 days will be deemed abandoned.
Generally, applications are processed in a minimum of 180 days, or 6 months, from the file date, unless there are issues in the applicant's background that require further consideration or review by the State Bar.
After your application has been deemed filed, it may be referred for further consideration and a moral character investigator will be assigned to review it. If additional information is needed, they will contact you. You will have 90 days from the request date to provide this information. Failure to submit a timely response will result in your application being deemed abandoned.
Please be aware that no refunds will be issued for abandoned applications. However, if you choose to withdraw your Determination Application or Extension Application within 30 days of the online submission date or receipt of the hard copy application, you will receive a 60 percent refund of your application fees. If your withdrawal request is received more than 30 days after submission, no refund will be granted.
In some cases, we may invite you to participate in an informal conference to discuss issues relevant to your moral character determination. Attendance is not mandatory, and you may have legal counsel present if you choose to participate. If you decline the invitation, we will make a determination based on available information, without drawing any negative inference. Informal conferences are held pursuant to the Procedures Governing Informal Conferences.
If you receive an adverse determination of moral character from the State Bar, you have options for review:
A positive moral character determination is valid for 36 months.
If you receive a positive determination but have not yet been certified to practice law, you may request an extension of the determination by submitting an Extension Application no sooner than 30 months and no later than 36 months after the issuance of the initial positive determination or approval of the preceding Extension Application. If a positive determination is issued on an Extension Application, it is valid for 36 months or until submission of a subsequent Extension Application. If an Extension Application is not submitted prior to the expiration date of the positive determination, the applicant must submit a new Determination Application if they wish to pursue admission to the practice of law.
We're here to assist you in the moral character process. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to us.
For questions related to a moral character application, please contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or 800-843-9053.