Indiana Notice of Intent to Homeschool: What You Need to Know

by | Apr 13, 2026 | Homeschooling in Indiana, Laws & Requirements

This post contains affiliate links.

Indiana Notice of Intent to Homeschool: What You Need to Know

Many homeschooling parents assume they need to file a “notice of intent” when starting homeschooling. If you’re considering homeschooling in Indiana, here’s the critical point: Indiana does NOT require a notice of intent to homeschool. This is fundamentally different from many other states. This guide clarifies what you actually need to do when beginning homeschooling in Indiana.

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana does NOT require a notice of intent filing
  • No notification to state or school district is required
  • You simply begin homeschooling without any paperwork
  • If child is in public school, formal withdrawal is required (but this is different from notice of intent)
  • No filing deadlines because there’s nothing to file

What Indiana Does NOT Require

Many states require families to file a “notice of intent” before starting homeschooling. Examples include:

  • Pennsylvania: Requires notice of intent filed with school district
  • North Carolina: Requires declaration of intent
  • New York: Requires notice of intent to superintendent
  • Illinois: Requires equivalent alternative education notification

Indiana is notably NOT on this list. There is no notice of intent requirement in Indiana law.

This means:

  • You do not file anything with the state
  • You do not notify your school district
  • You do not submit any paperwork
  • You do not need approval or permission
  • You simply begin homeschooling

Why This Matters

Indiana’s lack of a notification requirement reflects the state’s commitment to parental rights and minimal regulation. By not requiring notification, Indiana prevents any possibility of state oversight or approval gatekeeping. You exercise your parental right to educate your child at home without the state’s involvement or permission.

This is one of the most straightforward aspects of Indiana homeschooling law, and it’s significantly different from states with more regulatory approaches.

What You Actually Need to Do

If you’re starting homeschooling in Indiana, here’s your actual checklist:

If Your Child Is Currently Enrolled in Public School

You MUST formally withdraw your child. (This is different from notice of intent — it’s an exit document, not a registration document.)

For elementary or middle school:

  • Contact the school principal
  • Provide written notification that your child is withdrawing
  • Include the effective date of withdrawal
  • Keep a copy for your records

For high school:

  • Request the withdrawal form (required under IC 20-33-2-28.6)
  • Complete and submit the form to the registrar
  • Keep a copy for your records
  • Request copies of student records (transcript, test scores, medical records)

If Your Child Is Not Currently Enrolled in Public School

If your child has never been enrolled in public school, you don’t even need to file a withdrawal form. You simply begin homeschooling. That’s it.

Required Documentation to Maintain

You do not file anything with the state, but you should maintain records of your own:

  • Attendance records: Daily record of instructional days (required by IC 20-33-2-20)
  • Curriculum choices: What you’re using for instruction
  • Work samples: Copies of assignments, tests, projects (useful for transcripts and college applications)
  • Transcript: For high school, create a transcript documenting courses, grades, and credits

These are records you keep for your own reference and use. You don’t submit them to anyone.

Common Confusion: Withdrawal Form vs. Notice of Intent

Parents often confuse these two documents:

| Document | Purpose | Required? | Who Gets It? | |———-|———|———–|————-| | Withdrawal form | Documents student leaving public school | YES (if in public school) | School registrar/principal | | Notice of intent | Notification to start homeschooling | NO (not required in Indiana) | N/A — doesn’t exist in Indiana |

Withdrawal form:

  • Required if child is currently enrolled in public school
  • Signals that the student is exiting public school enrollment
  • You submit it to the school

Notice of intent:

  • Does NOT exist as a requirement in Indiana
  • Some parents create one privately for their own records, but it’s optional
  • It’s not submitted to anyone

If you’re coming from a state that requires notice of intent, understand that Indiana is fundamentally different. You’re not required to notify anyone.

Can You File a “Notice of Intent” Voluntarily?

Some families choose to create and keep a private notice of intent for their own records, even though it’s not required. This might include:

  • Date homeschooling began
  • Student names and ages
  • Intended curriculum
  • Educational philosophy or approach
  • Contact information

This is entirely optional and serves no legal purpose in Indiana. It’s simply a document some families create for their own clarity and record-keeping.

You are not required to file it anywhere or share it with anyone.

What If the School District Asks for Information?

After you formally withdraw your child from public school, the district may send letters or ask questions about where the child will be attending school or what program they’ll be in.

You are not legally required to respond to these inquiries. Your obligation is limited to the withdrawal form itself.

Many families simply write “homeschool” on the form if a field requests the future school. Beyond that, additional information is optional.

Transition Timeline

Here’s a practical timeline for transitioning a child from public school to homeschooling:

Before the transition:

  • Research curriculum options
  • Join a local homeschool group for support
  • Gather resources (homeschool convention, websites, books)

At the time of withdrawal:

  • Submit written withdrawal notice (elementary/middle) or withdrawal form (high school)
  • Request student records
  • Obtain immunization records and health documentation
  • Keep copies of all withdrawal documentation

After the transition:

  • Begin 180-day instruction requirement tracking
  • Maintain daily attendance records
  • Implement curriculum and lesson planning
  • Connect with local homeschool community for support

Summary

Indiana does not require a notice of intent to homeschool. There is no filing, no notification requirement, and no approval process. If your child is in public school, you formally withdraw them. If not, you simply begin homeschooling.

This represents Indiana’s philosophy: parental rights to educate are fundamental, and the state does not require permission or advance notice to exercise those rights. Once you withdraw from public school (if applicable), your only ongoing obligation is to provide 180 days of instruction and maintain attendance records.

This streamlined approach is one of the reasons Indiana is an attractive state for homeschooling.