California homeschool letters

The letters a family sends, addressed and ready to print. Nothing you type is saved or sent.

California asks for a notice: Between October 1 and October 15 each year; a new school can file from August 1 to June 30., to California Department of Education (online).. Below are that notice, the letter to the school your child is leaving, and the letters for when homeschooling ends or you move.

Checked October 27, 2026. Information, not legal advice: California's statute and education department are the final word.

State letters 0.1.0 · nothing you type is saved or sent

Which letter? Notice of intent to homeschool Letter to the school your child is leaving Letter when homeschooling ends Change of address

To: California Department of Education (online). · When: Between October 1 and October 15 each year; a new school can file from August 1 to June 30. · California has its own form: Private School Affidavit (online). Send that; this letter can go with it as a cover note.

What California's law asks the notice to give: California has no separate homeschool law. Most home-teaching families are exempt by running a private school at home, and a private school files a Private School Affidavit each year with the state Department of Education between October 1 and October 15. The state's filing system is open from August 1 to June 30 for new schools and home schools. A credentialed private tutor is a different route and has no affidavit in the statute. Put each item in the details box, one a line.

Your name Date Starting

Your address (it prints under your name) Children's names, one a line (they print on the letter only) Details the law asks for, one a line

________________

To: California Department of Education (online).

Re: Notice of intent to homeschool, California

I am writing to give notice that I will provide home education for ________________, beginning ________________, under California's homeschool law.

________________

Please confirm that you have received this notice. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Signed ______________________________

________________

Before you send it

Read what to file in California: the To and By lines there are the ones these letters use, each linked to the law.
Keep a copy, and send it a way you can prove: by hand with a dated receipt, by certified mail, or by email if the office accepts it.
Taking a child out of school mid-year? See the California checklist for the order of steps.