North Dakota Notice of Intent to Homeschool: Template & Filing Guide

The Statement of Intent is your formal notification to the state that you’re homeschooling. It’s not burdensome, but it’s required and deadline is firm. Here’s exactly what to file and how.

Key Takeaways

• File 14 calendar days before your start date (no extensions; no exceptions)
• Submit to your county superintendent, not the school district
• Include parent qualifications, child info, immunization records, and subject list
• File every year you homeschool (not one-time)
• Contact county superintendent for official form; template provided below

Statement of Intent: What’s Required

Your Statement of Intent must include:

1. Student Information

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Place of residence

1. Parent/Guardian Information

• Your name
• Proof of high school diploma or GED
• If you lack a diploma/GED, indicate you’ll use monitored homeschooling option

1. Immunization Records

• Proof of immunization (DPT, polio, MMR, hepatitis B)
• Or exemption documentation (medical, religious, philosophical)

1. Curriculum Intent

• List of subjects you’ll teach
• (Must include: English, math, social studies, science, PE)

1. Extracurricular Activities

• Sports, co-ops, classes, or other activities planned

Timeline: Don’t Miss the Deadline

The law is strict: File 14 calendar days before you begin instruction.

Examples:

• Starting Sept. 1? File by Aug. 18
• Starting Oct. 15? File by Oct. 1
• Starting Jan. 2? File by Dec. 19

No extensions. The deadline is fixed. Plan accordingly.

Annual renewal: File again every year before your next school year begins.

Where to File

Contact your county superintendent’s office, not the school district.

Find your county superintendent:

• Google “North Dakota county superintendent [your county]”
• Call your county auditor’s office; they can provide contact info
• Many counties post superintendent contact info on county websites

Filing options (varies by county):

• In-person at the county superintendent’s office
• Email (check if your county accepts it)
• Mail (postal mail, certified if required)

Call ahead to confirm filing procedures and get the official form.

Official Statement of Intent Form

Contact your county superintendent for the official form. Below is a template showing what information to include:

—

STATEMENT OF INTENT TO HOMESCHOOL

STUDENT INFORMATION

Student Name: _
Date of Birth: _
Place of Residence:

PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION

Parent/Guardian Name: _
Diploma/GED Status: [ ] High School Diploma [ ] GED Certificate
If neither, indicate: [ ] Will use monitored homeschooling option

IMMUNIZATION RECORDS

Immunizations current? [ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, exemption type: [ ] Medical [ ] Religious [ ] Philosophical
(Attach documentation)

CURRICULUM & SUBJECTS

Subjects to be taught (check all that apply):
[ ] English/Language Arts
[ ] Mathematics
[ ] Social Studies (including ND and U.S. history, geography, civics)
[ ] Science
[ ] Physical Education
[ ] Additional subjects: _

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Activities planned: _

SIGNATURE & DATE

Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: _

—

Gathering Documentation

Proof of Diploma/GED

What to submit:

• Original high school diploma or certified copy
• GED certificate or official transcript
• College transcript (if you hold college degree, this substitutes)

Don’t have the original?

• Contact your high school’s registrar for a certified copy
• GED Testing Service can provide official documentation
• Request this as soon as you plan to homeschool; it takes time

Immunization Records

What to submit:

• Copy of child’s vaccine record from previous doctor
• Immunization records from public school (if child attended)
• New records from your pediatrician

No records available?

• Contact your child’s previous healthcare provider
• If records are lost, you can get updated immunizations

Exemptions:

• Medical exemption: Doctor’s letter stating medical contraindication
• Religious exemption: Written statement of sincere religious belief
• Philosophical exemption: Written statement of philosophical objection

Process varies by county; ask your superintendent.

What If You Don’t Have Proof?

Missing diploma/GED?

You have two options:

1. Get your GED – Free/low-cost programs in ND. Do this before filing if possible.
2. Use monitored homeschooling – A certified teacher monitors your instruction for two years, at district expense. You can file now and pursue GED later.

Missing immunization records?

• Contact previous healthcare provider
• Request official transcripts
• If permanently lost, get updated immunizations
• Or file exemption

Don’t delay because of missing documentation. Work with your superintendent to complete it. Missing documents don’t prevent filing if you’re actively pursuing them.

Filing Checklist

Before you submit:

• [ ] Official Statement of Intent form (from county superintendent)
• [ ] Student name, DOB, address
• [ ] Your name and diploma/GED proof (or exemption plan)
• [ ] Immunization records or exemption documentation
• [ ] List of subjects to be taught
• [ ] List of extracurricular activities (or “none”)
• [ ] Your signature and date
• [ ] Copy for your records (keep one)

After Filing

What happens next:

• Superintendent acknowledges receipt
• They file it in your homeschool record
• You’re officially registered to homeschool
• Begin instruction on your planned start date

What they don’t do:

• Inspect your home
• Approve or reject your curriculum
• Monitor your lesson plans
• Make surprise visits

You’re documented, not micromanaged.

Common Filing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Missing deadline – Calendar the date now; file 2 weeks early to be safe
2. Filing with wrong office – County superintendent, not school district
3. Incomplete immunization info – Include all required vaccinations
4. Vague subject list – Be specific; “social studies” is better than “other”
5. No parent signature – Sign and date the form

Renewing Annually

Mark your calendar: Every year you homeschool, file a new Statement of Intent 14 days before your start date.

You don’t need to resubmit immunization records every year, but you do need a fresh intent form with updated information (if anything has changed).

Questions? Ask Your Superintendent

When in doubt, email or call your county superintendent:

• “What’s your preferred filing method?”
• “What form do you use?”
• “What documentation do you need for immunization exemptions?”

A five-minute call prevents confusion.

Summary

File your Statement of Intent 14 days before you start, submit to your county superintendent, include parent qualifications and immunization records, and list your subjects. File every year. It’s straightforward, and once filed, you have significant autonomy in how you teach.

This documentation supports your homeschool legally and keeps you in compliance with North Dakota law.

North dakota homeschool laws
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More homeschooling resources: Homeschooling by State (All 50 States) | Complete North Dakota Homeschooling Guide