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1. Where may I find copies of the Rules of the Supreme Court?
2. The application requires that I identify the type of admission I am requesting and identifies each type with a rule. Which type/rule do I select?
3. What is “regular admission?”
4. The bar application requires that I have to complete and pay for the NCBE HAWAII Character and Fitness Application. How can I do that?
5. What happens if I do not complete and pay the NCBE HAWAII Character and Fitness Application and/or fail to submit a copy and/or pay for the NCBE HAWAII Character and Fitness Application with my Hawaii bar application?
6. The application asks for multiple telephone numbers. I have only one, how do I complete the other fields?
7. The application asks for my current residential address. I do not have a residence. What address do I enter?
8. Why must I enter none, not applicable, or zeros in a field that does not apply?
9. My law school is not listed in the list of values for law schools, what do I do?
10. I graduated from a non-ABA school. Item 12 requires that I provide the name of each jurisdiction where I have been licensed and practiced. I was licensed by a jurisdiction, but I have not practiced. What do I select?
11. How do I print or save a copy of my application?
12. How do I submit exhibits and forms required by the application?
13. How do I convert or image a document to an Adobe PDF document?
14. If I enter a wrong email address and do not get the email with the password, what can I do?
15. How do I provide supplemental information after the application is filed?
16. What browsers may I use?
17. Will the application save my information if I must exit before completing?
18. Item 5 asks for each legal name change. Must an applicant report nick-names?
19. What does “validate” on the application mean?

Where may I find copies of the Rules of the Supreme Court?

Go to the Hawaii Judiciary webpage at: www.courts.state.hi.us and click on “Legal References,” then select “Court Rules.” You can also access the Rules of the Supreme Court from the bar application webpage. 

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The application requires that I identify the type of admission I am requesting and identifies each type with a rule. Which type/rule do I select?

Read each rule. Select the rule for the kind of admission you seek. Most applicants seek “regular admission.”

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What is “regular admission?”

Regular admission means a person has been granted an unlimited license to practice law in the State of Hawaii, subject to the Hawaii Supreme Court’s disciplinary authority.

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The bar application requires that I have to complete and pay for the NCBE HAWAII Character and Fitness Application. How can I do that?

Go to the NCBE website. Read and follow the instructions provided in the website. After you complete and pay for the NCBE HAWAII Character and Fitness Application, save (in PDF format) and/or print the application. You will need to submit this document when you complete the Hawaii bar application. NCBE will not begin their investigation or submit a report if timely payment is not received.

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What happens if I do not complete and pay the NCBE HAWAII Character and Fitness Application and/or fail to submit a copy and/or pay for the NCBE HAWAII Character and Fitness Application with my Hawaii bar application?

You will not be allowed to sit for the Hawaii bar examination..

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The application asks for multiple telephone numbers. I have only one, how do I complete the other fields?

Enter zeros in the fields.

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The application asks for my current residential address. I do not have a residence. What address do I enter?

Enter an address where you receive mail.

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Why must I enter none, not applicable, or zeros in a field that does not apply?

So the reviewer will know you did not unintentionally skip the field.

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My law school is not listed in the list of values for law schools, what do I do?

Select “other” and enter the name of the law school in the provided text field.

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I graduated from a non-ABA school. Item Number 12 requires that I provide the name of each jurisdiction where I have been licensed and practiced. I was licensed by a jurisdiction, but I have not practiced. What do I select?

STOP. You are not eligible for admission to the Hawaii bar. See Rule 1.3(b)(2) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii.

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How do I print or save a copy of my application?

JEFS will save your application each time you log out. After you complete the application and submit it, you will be able to print a PDF file-stamped copy of the application. Log onto the system, select “manage cases,” and your case. Open the “docket” tab, find your application (represented by a line entry with a PDF icon). Open the icon. Select “File” and “Save As” or “Print.” “Save As” will allow you to save a copy of the completed and stamped application to your computer.

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How do I submit exhibits and forms required by the application?

1. Convert or image the paper as an Adobe PDF file.
2. Save the PDF file to a folder on your computer.
3. Select the document category and type.
4. Click on the “Browse” button.
5. Find the document in the place you have it stored in your computer.
6. Select open to load the document in the data field.
7. When the document appears in the data field, enter any notes needed in the data field,
8. Select the “Upload File” button
9. When your application is complete and all exhibits and forms have been added, select the “Submit” button. At this point the system will upload your application and its attachments and will prompt you to select the form of payment.

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How do I convert or image a document to an Adobe PDF document?

Follow the instructions in your word processor to convert the document to an Adobe PDF file.

In some versions of Word you may select “save as” and then select Adobe PDF from the document type memu. In other versions of Word you will find an Adobe PDF tab that will give you the option of converting to PDF.

WordPerfect will let you convert a Word or WordPerfect document to a PDF by selecting “publish to” from the “file” menu.

Many copiers and scanners will save a scanned document as a PDF file. Follow the copier directions. Scan at no more than 300 dots per inch (dpi).

Commercial copying businesses will also copy and save documents as PDF files that may be copied to a portable drive or emailed so you may upload from your computer. 

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If I enter a wrong email address and do not get the email with the password, what can I do?

Re-register.

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How do I provide supplemental information after the application is filed?

An applicant may file declarations, affidavits, exhibits, and other documents.

1. Log on to JEFS.
2. Select “Submit add’l documents for pending application.”
3. Select the document category and type.
4. Click on the “Browse” button.
5. Find the documents in the place you have it stored in your computer.
6. When the document appears in the data field, enter any notes needed in the data field for them.
7. Select the “Upload File” button.
8. Select the “Submit” button.

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What browsers may I use?

IE 8 or 9 or higher
Firefox 5 or 6 or higher
Chrome 13 or 14 or higher
Safari 4 or 5 or higher

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Will the application save my information if I must exit before completing?

Yes. Each time you select “next” to move to the next page the information is saved.

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Item 5 asks for each legal name change. Must an applicant report nick-names?

No, nick names are not legal names. Each applicant must report each legal (i.e. official) name change.

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What does “validate” on the application mean?

When “validate” is selected, the system will check whether each required data field has data in it. The system does not determine whether the data is correct and the system makes no judgment concerning whether the information provided meets requirements for admission to the bar.

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