Find out if your state requires a homeschool letter of intent to get started on your homeschool journey!
Getting Ready to Homeschool
Gearing up for your first homeschool year can feel daunting, I know.
However, there are a few simple tricks that can make this transition a smooth one.
First, take a deep breath and remind yourself of the reason you are doing this!
Then, take some time to get to know your homeschool laws so you can begin the homeschool planning process.
Finally, be patient with yourself and focus on progress over perfection as the year advances.
All that said, getting your ducks in a row, in the form of paperwork, will be one of the first things you need to tackle in your homeschool.
Possibly including a homeschool letter of intent.
What is a Homeschool Letter of Intent?
A homeschool letter of intent is a signed form used by parents to declare their intent to instruct their child (or children) at home for the upcoming school year.
These forms are not required in every state.
However, for states that do require an intent to homeschool form, they typically need to be filled out and mailed (or turned in) to the school district you reside in prior to the start of the new school year.
While I’d love to offer this type of homeschool document to my readers, I don’t because all states have different requirements and I simply couldn’t make a one-size-fits-all type of form.
It’s incredibly important to follow all the proper legal steps required by your state when preparing to homeschool your children.
That said, there are plenty of resources out there to find out if you need a letter of intent and instructions on how to get your hands on the right one.
How do I know if I need a Homeschool Letter of Intent?
If you aren’t sure if your state requires an intent to homeschool form, it’s best to check your state’s homeschool laws just to be sure.
Simply click on your state of residence on the HSLDA website and read through the requirements.
While some states only require a letter of intent for the first year of homeschooling, many states require this form to be filed annually.
If your state requires a homeschool letter of intent, you can find most of the resources you need through HSLDA.
However, if you still can’t find what you need you can easily contact your local school district’s registration office for more detailed information on how to obtain all the proper resources you need.
For quick reference, the following states DO require a formal intent to homeschool form for the 2024 school year: Alabama, Alaska (only if filing as a religious private school), Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida (in some cases), Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa (in some cases), Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan (if filing as a non-public school), Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia (in some cases).
*Note: this list may not be 100% accurate as laws can change over time making this information outdated. Also, there are some states not on the list that still require notice in some form.
For example, Kansas requires homeschoolers to register as a private school with the state but does not require a formal letter of intent. Other states require applicants to fill out enrollment forms, transfer forms, file annual reports, or register and wait for approval of some kind.
So remember, just because your state isn’t on this list above doesn’t mean there won’t be important steps to take or forms to fill out.
Always do your own research and familiarize yourself with your state laws and requirements before starting your homeschool year!
Other Homeschool Documents
While I don’t offer a free letter of intent to homeschool form, I do have some other great homeschool documents available here on Life + Homeschool!
From a homeschool block schedule and supply list templates to a non-accredited private school document for your personal records!
That said, all the homeschool forms and documents you will find in our free printables library are for personal use only and may or may not meet the requirements of your homeschool state.
Always, always, always cover your bases and keep track of the necessary paperwork needed for homeschooling in your state by using legal forms and documents — especially when homeschooling in a stricter state.
