To become a legal document assistant, you must:

• Meet certain education and experience requirements (see below)
• Provide a bond (or cash deposit)
• Apply in the county in which you work
• Complete 15 hours of continuing education (renewals only)

Disqualifications

You may not register if any of the following apply to you:

• Civil judgment - B&P 6403(a)(3) & (a)(5)
• Criminal convictions - B&P 6403(a)(2) & (a)(4)
• Registration revocations - B&P 6403(a)(6)
• Suspension or disbarment - B&P 6402

You must provide documentation showing that you meet one of four education/experience options:

1. ABA-Approved Paralegal Program
   1.   Education: Graduation from a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
   2.   Experience: None
   3.   Documentation: 1) Certificate/Diploma, 2) proof of ABA approval
2.   Non-ABA-Approved Paralegal Program
   1.   Education: Graduation from a paralegal program that is accredited but not approved by the ABA and requires the completion of at least 24-semester units of specialized legal courses
   2.   Experience: None
   3.   Documentation: 1) Certificate/Diploma, 2) transcripts showing proof of coursework
3.   Bachelor's Degree
   1.   Education: A bachelor's degree
   2.   Experience: One year of law-related experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney or one year of experience providing self-help prior to January 1, 1999
   3.   Documentation: 1) Diploma, 2) letter from the attorney verifying experience required experience, or 3) letter declaring you meet the experience requirement for offering self-help prior to 1999
4.   High School Diploma/GED
   1.   Education: A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma
   2.   Experience:  Two years of law-related experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney or two years of experience providing self-help service prior to January 1, 1999
   3.   Documentation: 1) Diploma, 2) letter from the attorney verifying experience required experience, or 3) letter declaring you meet the experience requirement for offering self-help prior to 1999

You must provide supporting documentation each time you renew. 

To register as a legal document assistant, you must record a bond or deposit cash in lieu of a bond.

Your bond must include the following information:

• Name of Surety Company
• Name of Principal
• In favor of the State of California
• Name of County of primary registration
• Specific term with an expiration date
  • Continuation Certificates require the original recorded bond or certified copy be included with a cover sheet for recording
• Correct Liability Amount

Individual UDA	$25,000
Corporation:
1 - 4 employees	$25,000
5 - 9 employees	$50,000
10 or more employees	$100,000

• Signature and acknowledgment of the surety company or the attorney in fact for the surety company
  o    If signed by an attorney in fact for the surety, a copy of the "Power of Attorney" must be attached to the bond unless the bond indicates it has been executed pursuant to CCP 995.630(b)
• Principal's signature
• Filing Fee

Instead of posting a bond, a LDA registrant may submit a cash deposit. We will keep your deposit in an interest-bearing account and hold it until your expiration date, plus three years.