The following must be filed with The Florida Bar by an individual seeking to be registered as a Florida Registered Paralegal:
(a)Educational, Certification, or Experience Requirement.(1) evidence that the individual has satisfied the requirements of rule 20-3.1(a) by supplying evidence of the degree and attestation from the employing or supervising lawyer showing that the individual has the appropriate paralegal work experience; or(2) a certificate showing that the individual has obtained 1 of the certifications set forth in rule 20-3.1(b) and attestation from the employing or supervising lawyer(s) showing that the individual is currently primarily performing paralegal work.(b)Statement of Compliance. A sworn statement by the individual that the individual has read and will abide by the Code of Ethics and Responsibility set forth elsewhere in this chapter.(c)Registration Fee. An appropriate registration fee set by the board.(d)Review by The Florida Bar. Upon receipt of the items set forth in subdivision 20-4.1(a)-(c), The Florida Bar will review the items for compliance with this chapter. Any incomplete submissions will be returned. If the individual meets all of the requirements of this chapter, the individual will be added to the roll of Florida Registered Paralegals and a certificate evidencing such registration will be issued. If there is an open unlicensed practice of law complaint against the individual, the application will be held as pending until the investigation is resolved.(e)Annual Renewal; Content and Registration Fee. Except as provided elsewhere in this rule, the registration pursuant to this subdivision will be annual and consistent with that applicable to a lawyer licensed to practice in the state of Florida. An annual registration fee will be set by the board in an amount not more than the annual fees paid by inactive members of The Florida Bar. The renewal must contain a statement that the individual is primarily performing paralegal work as defined elsewhere in this chapter and a statement that the individual is not ineligible for registration set forth elsewhere in this chapter. A Florida Registered Paralegal who is not primarily performing paralegal work is not eligible for renewal of the registration but may reapply for registration. If there is an open unlicensed practice of law complaint against the individual, the renewal will be held as pending until the investigation is resolved.(f) Installment Payment of Renewal Fee. If a Florida Registered Paralegal is employed by a federal, state, or local government, the Florida Registered Paralegal may elect to pay their annual renewal fee in 3 equal installments. The Florida Registered Paralegal's notice of election to pay the renewal fee in installments under this rule and the first installment payment must be postmarked no later than August 15. The second and third installment payments must be postmarked no later than November 1 and February 1, respectively. Second and third installment payments postmarked after their respective due date(s) are subject to a one-time late charge of $50 per fiscal year, which shall accompany the final payment.
The Florida Bar will send written notice by registered or certified mail to the last official address of each Florida Registered Paralegal whose renewal fee and late fee have not been paid under this rule by February 1. Upon failure to pay renewal fees and any late charges under this rule by March 15, the individual's status as a Florida Registered Paralegal will be revoked.
(g)Renewal Fee Exemption for Activated Reserve Members of the Armed Services. Florida Registered Paralegals engaged in reserve military service in the Armed Forces of the United States who are called to active duty for 30 days or more during the bar's fiscal year are exempt from the payment of the annual renewal fee required under this rule. For purposes of this rule, the Armed Forces of the United States includes the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, the Air National Guard of the United States, the Air Force Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve. Requests for an exemption must be made within 15 days before the date renewal fees are due each year or within 15 days of activation to duty of a reserve member. To the extent renewal fees were paid despite qualifying for this exemption, such renewal fee will be reimbursed by The Florida Bar within 30 days of receipt of a Florida Registered Paralegal's request for exemption. Within 30 days of leaving active duty status, the Florida Registered Paralegal must report to The Florida Bar that he or she is no longer on active duty status in the United States Armed Forces. The Florida Bar will send written notice by registered or certified mail to the last official address of each Florida Registered Paralegal whose renewal fee and late fee have not been paid under this rule by February 1. Upon failure to pay renewal fees and any late charges under this rule by March 15, the individual's status as an Florida Registered Paralegal will be revoked.
Added November 15, 2007, effective 3/1/2008, (SC06-1622), (969 So.2d 360). Amended April 12, 2012, effective 7/1/2012 (SC10-1967); amended May 29, 2014, effective 6/1/2014 (SC12-2234).