Your Three-Step Legal Roadmap
Most families spend weeks worrying about legal requirements when the actual work takes less than an hour. Here's your straightforward path to getting legally started with homeschooling in your state.
01
Look Up Your State Requirements
Visit HSLDA.org/legal and click on your state. The Home School Legal Defense Association maintains current, accurate information for every state's homeschool laws. Read through your state's page carefully—this is your official rulebook.
States fall into four general categories: low regulation (no notification required), moderate regulation (simple notification), high regulation (notification plus some oversight), and very high regulation (notification, testing, and curriculum approval). Knowing where your state falls helps you understand what's ahead.
02
Identify Your Specific Requirements
Create your personalized checklist based on what your state requires. Most states ask for one or more of these common elements, but requirements vary significantly by location.
You may need to submit a letter of intent or notification form, teach certain core subjects like reading and mathematics, maintain attendance or educational records, administer standardized tests at specific grade levels, or have a qualified individual review your child's progress annually.
03
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Don't withdraw your child from school until you've completed your state's notification process. Timing matters, and following the correct sequence prevents complications with truancy laws.
Hold off on purchasing expensive curriculum packages until you understand what your state actually requires and what teaching approach works best for your family. Finally, remember that you don't need a teaching degree or special certification in most states—you're already qualified to teach your own children.
Understanding Common Requirements
Notification Letters
This is simply informing your state or district that you're homeschooling. It's not asking permission—it's providing required notice. Most notification letters are one page and take 10 minutes to complete. Some states want it annually, others only once when you start.
Subject Requirements
Many states specify that you must teach certain core subjects, typically including language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. This doesn't mean you need to follow a traditional school schedule or use specific textbooks—you just need to cover these general subject areas throughout the year.
Record Keeping
Some states require you to maintain records of instruction, which can be as simple as a log of books read, activities completed, or topics covered. These records protect you and document your child's educational progress. Many homeschool families keep portfolios with samples of work, photos of projects, and lists of field trips or experiences.
Testing and Assessments
Several states require standardized testing at certain grade levels or periodic evaluations by a qualified individual. If your state requires testing, you typically have options for which test to use and when to administer it. Evaluations can often be done by a certified teacher, and many homeschool-friendly evaluators work specifically with homeschool families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I mess up the paperwork?
You fix it. State education departments want compliance, not perfection. If you submit something incorrectly or miss a deadline, they'll typically send a letter explaining what needs to be corrected. Respond promptly, make the requested changes, and move forward. Very few families face serious consequences for honest mistakes made in good faith.
When's the best time to start homeschooling?
Anytime that works for your family. Many families transition at natural breaks like winter break, spring semester, or the traditional fall start, but you can legally begin homeschooling whenever you're ready. Some families even start mid-week. The key is following your state's withdrawal and notification procedures regardless of when you start.
Do I need to officially withdraw from school?
It depends on your state's laws and your child's current enrollment status. Some states require formal withdrawal letters, while others only need homeschool notification. Check your state's specific requirements on HSLDA.org. Never simply stop sending your child to school without following proper procedures, as this could trigger truancy concerns.
The Truth About Legal Requirements
Legal fear is the number one thing that stops families from starting their homeschool journey. Parents imagine complex regulations, intimidating officials, and mountains of paperwork. But here's the reality: most states require very little to get started.
The typical process takes less than an hour once you know what to do. Look up your state's requirements, complete the necessary forms or letters, and move forward with teaching your children. Don't let fear of paperwork keep you stuck in a situation that isn't working for your family. The legal requirements are manageable, straightforward, and designed to be completed by regular parents—not educational experts.
Get the Legal Stuff Done With Step-by-Step Support
The Working Parent Homeschool System includes state-specific guidance that walks you through your exact legal requirements. No guessing, no endless Google searches, no worrying if you're doing it right. Module 2 provides templates, checklists, and clear instructions tailored to your location, so you can complete the legal requirements quickly and confidently.
You'll know exactly what forms to file, when to file them, what records to keep, and how to stay compliant year after year. Plus, you'll have ongoing support as regulations change or questions arise. Join during the 30-Day Founders Launch and get everything you need to start legally and successfully.
