Admission in Absentia

Admission in absentia occurs when the oath of admission is administered to a qualifying applicant to the bar by a judge or other official at a time and place other than a scheduled admission ceremony. The applicant must return the oath form (signed both by the applicant and by the person administering the oath) and payment in the appropriate amount to the Lawyer Registration Office.

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Who is able to be admitted in absentia?
Successful examinees and motion applicants who have been recommended for admission to the Minnesota Bar by the Board of Law Examiners may be admitted in absentia, under certain circumstances.
Under what circumstances may a successful EXAMINEE who has been recommended be admitted in absentia?
A successful examinee who did NOT attend one of the semi-annual Minnesota Supreme Court admission ceremonies or one of the Minnesota Supreme Court monthly admission ceremonies, may choose to be admitted in absentia. In absentia admissions of examinees may only occur after the semi-annual admission ceremony held after each bar exam.
Under what circumstances may a recommended MOTION admission applicant be admitted in absentia?
Motion admission applicants who have been recommended for admission by the Board who choose not to participate in one of the monthly admission ceremonies at the Supreme Court may request admission in absentia.
How do I request admission in absentia?
To ask for admission in absentia, contact the Lawyer Registration Office and request your in absentia admission documents. The Lawyer Registration Office will send you an instruction sheet and a copy of your unexecuted oath of admission.
Do the in absentia admission materials reference admission if you are outside of the state of Minnesota?
The in absentia admission materials will include a document describing how to be admitted, whether you are inside or outside the state of Minnesota.
Who can administer the oath of admission in absentia?
A Judge, a State or Federal Court Administrator or Deputy Court Administrator, a Commissioned Officer on active duty in the military service of the United States, or an Officer of the Foreign Service or Consular Officer of the United States may administer the oath of admission.
If I am admitted in absentia, when is the oath effective so that I can call myself a lawyer and offer services to clients?
The oath of admission is not effective until the executed oath and payment is received by the Lawyer Registration Office and the oath is signed by the Chief Justice. The Lawyer Registration Office makes every effort to process oaths within 1 business day of receipt. It is the new lawyer’s obligation to make sure the documents and payment are received. The documents can be mailed or delivered to 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 110, St. Paul, MN 55155. As soon as the lawyer has been entered into the system, the information will be available on Minnesota Attorney Registration System (MARS).
When will I receive my attorney ID number?
The Lawyer Registration Office mails the new lawyer a license card with the lawyer’s name and ID number on the card no later than two weeks following the Office’s receipt of the executed oath and payment. The information is viewable in the Minnesota Attorney Registration System (MARS) the same day that the lawyer is entered into the system. You may check MARS to find your license number prior to receiving your license card.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact us.