Amendment filing is the process of updating your homeschool registration or notice of intent when significant changes occur—such as moving to a new address, adding a student, or changing supervisors—as required by some states.
What is Amendment Filing?
Amendment filing refers to notifying education authorities of changes to an existing homeschool program after your initial Notice of Intent has been filed. While the initial notice establishes your homeschool, amendments update that registration when circumstances change during the school year. Common triggers include moving to a new address, adding another child to your homeschool, a student graduating or leaving the program, or changing the supervising parent. Not all states require amendments—many have one-time filing or no notification requirements at all—but those that do typically specify deadlines and procedures for reporting changes.
Key Takeaways
- Amendments update existing homeschool registrations when circumstances change mid-year
- Common triggers include address changes, adding students, and supervisor changes
- Only some states require amendment filing; many have no update requirements
- Deadlines vary from immediate notification to within 5-14 days of the change
- Failure to file amendments can result in truancy complications in high-regulation states
Common Situations Requiring Amendments
Common Situations Requiring Amendments
- Address change or relocation
Moving within the same state, especially to a different school district
- Adding a new student
When a child reaches school age or transfers from public school
- Student graduation or exit
When a child completes homeschooling or re-enrolls in public school
- Change of supervisor
If the parent responsible for homeschooling changes
- Corrections to filed information
Fixing errors in the original notice
State Variation
Requirements differ dramatically by state. Ohio requires notification within 5 days of moving to a new district during the school year. North Carolina mandates immediate notification of address or enrollment changes through their DNPE system. Maine asks for updates on mid-year changes including graduations. Meanwhile, states like Texas, Idaho, and Michigan have no notification requirements at all—no initial filing and certainly no amendments needed. Check your specific state requirements through HSLDA or your state homeschool organization.
Consequences of Not Filing
In high-regulation states, failure to update your homeschool registration can cause problems. Your child might appear "missing" from school enrollment records, triggering truancy investigations. Former school districts may send enforcement letters. When you eventually re-register or move, unexplained gaps can complicate matters. In most cases, the consequence is administrative confusion rather than legal penalty—but that confusion can create stress and require documentation to resolve.
The Bottom Line
Amendment filing keeps your homeschool registration accurate when life changes. If your state requires notifications, staying current prevents administrative headaches and keeps your family clearly within compliance. The process is typically simple—updating an online portal or sending a brief written notice. States without notification requirements obviously don't require amendments either. Know your state's laws (they can change), and when in doubt, over-communicate rather than assume notification isn't needed.
