In states where vaccine mandates apply to homeschoolers, some parents want to opt out. How do you do that?

In many states, parents need to properly document and file exemption forms. Failure to follow your state’s requirements could result in not being exempted, which means you could be in violation of your state’s immunization laws.

In some states, vaccine mandates do not even apply to homeschoolers. You can find out the status in your state and read more about vaccine mandates here.

But if vaccine mandates do apply to you in your state, and you want to opt out, this article and related research discusses how.

Note that this research only applies to vaccine exemptions for K-12 students. Requirements may vary for daycare facilities or higher education. Additionally this research does not address potential state requirements that schools report immunization/exemption numbers to the health department.

In states where exemptions are only submitted to the school, homeschool parents need only keep exemption forms in their own homeschool records and should not need to file them with any government agency unless otherwise requested.

Exemptions from school immunization requirements generally fall into two separate categories: medical and non-medical.

Medical Exemptions

Every state allows some form of medical exemption. All jurisdictions require some kind of written statement signed by a healthcare provider affirming the exemption. Most states provide a standard medical exemption form for providers and parents to complete and sign.

States usually specify exactly what kind of healthcare provider is required, typically a physician or nurse practitioner. Some states additionally require that the physician be the child’s regular care provider or be qualified to administer vaccines. Most states require that the provider hold an active license within that particular state, but not all states impose this requirement.

Non-Medical Exemptions

All states that recognize non-medical exemptions—whether termed religious, philosophical, etc—require some kind of written statement signed by at least one parent or legal guardian. Many states require filling out a specific department form.

The complexity of these statements varies considerably. Some jurisdictions require simple attestations, while others call for more detailed explanations or specific language. The format may range from checking a box on a standardized form to composing a more detailed explanation for the exemption request.

The following requirements may also apply in your state:

• Submission to the health department. But laws requiring submission to school administrators do not practically apply to homeschoolers. Homeschool parents, however, should be aware whether the state requires that exemption forms be submitted to the local or state health department. In states with this requirement, the exemption is often conditioned on department approval.
  
• Notarization. The written statement or department form may need to be notarized.
  
• Vaccine Education. A small but increasing number of jurisdictions require parents to complete educational modules before an exemption will be granted.
  
• Annual Renewal. While some states allow exemptions to remain valid throughout a child's school years, others require renewal annually or at certain grades. In these states, exemptions usually need to be submitted prior to the start of the school year.
  
• Additional requirements. Some states may require proof of objection from a religious denomination, a physician’s signature, or even in-person submission of the exemption forms.
  

Note also that local school districts may have their own administrative procedures for processing exemption requests. Parents should familiarize themselves with both state requirements and local procedures to ensure proper submission of exemption documentation.

Failure to comply with administrative requirements can result in denial of exemption requests, regardless of whether a family meets the substantive standards for an exemption. This underscores the importance of understanding not just whether you qualify for an exemption, but precisely how to obtain it.

Parents should maintain copies of all submitted documentation and any correspondence with school officials or health departments. This documentation trail can prove invaluable if questions arise about the validity or completeness of an exemption.

At Heritage Defense, we support parents’ rights to make informed vaccine decisions for their children. We hope this brings clarity to the process of obtaining an exemption. Members with further questions can schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.