Pennsylvania Homeschool Affidavit (or Unsworn Declaration) Due August 1: What to Attach

A calm pennsylvania homeschool affidavit packet checklist for Pennsylvania home education supervisors: what goes in the notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration, what to attach, and when first-year vs returning filings are due—so August 1 stays distinct from the June 30 evaluator certification.

Not legal advice. Confirm current expectations with official Pennsylvania sources linked below and with your school district of residence.

August 1 in plain English: the start-of-year filing

Under 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(b)(1), the supervisor files a notarized affidavit with the superintendent of the school district of residence—prior to commencing the program and annually thereafter on August 1.

PDE's Home Education Program BEC and Home Education and Private Tutoring hub also authorize an unsworn declaration with the same substance—no notary, signed under penalty of perjury. Use the statute for content and deadlines; use PDE for the unsworn option and sample templates.

Who files: the supervisor—parent, guardian, or legal custodian responsible for instruction who has a high school diploma or its equivalent (§ 1327.1(a)).

With whom: the superintendent of the school district of residence.

District approval: Once necessary paperwork is filed, district approval is not required to commence (22 Pa. Code § 11.31a; PDE BEC). Check local board policy for preferred forms and how to submit (mail, portal, or in person—practice varies).

This page owns the August 1 affidavit / unsworn declaration only. For year-end evaluator certification, see the companion Pennsylvania Homeschool Evaluation (June 30) guide.

Affidavit vs unsworn declaration (same substance)

The statute says "notarized affidavit." PDE's BEC, hub, and Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide (Rev. May 2026) treat the unsworn declaration as an accepted alternative. Samples are not exclusive—a district form or careful self-created form is OK if every statutory requirement is met. Check local board policy.

Which one should I use?

Neither is "better" under PDE's framing. An unsworn declaration skips the notary trip; a traditional affidavit remains fully valid. Both need the same content and attachments. Pick what fits your schedule and district preferences—then keep a copy.

Filing a start-of-year declaration in another state? California's Private School Affidavit is a cousin mental model (different law and deadline)—see Bloomfolio's California Private School Affidavit guide.

Packet checklist: what to put in the filing

Two layers: (1) what the affidavit or unsworn declaration itself must set forth, and (2) what the PDE BEC says to attach.

Supervisor, student, and program-site info

• Name of the supervisor
• Name and age of each participating child
• Address and telephone number of the home education program site

English-language subjects statement + objectives outline

State that required subjects will be offered in the English language, and include an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area.

PDE's guide describes the outline as a game plan / table of contents—individualized; it need not mirror district curriculum order. Under § 1327.1(b)(1), that outline shall not be utilized by the superintendent in determining if the home education program is out of compliance with this section and section 1327. Planning language—not a compliance weapon.

Immunization evidence or exemption

Per School Code § 1303(a) and the PDE BEC, attach evidence of immunization (records or physician letter)—unless you provide a medical contraindication certificate or parent documentation objecting for religious or philosophical reasons. PDE's guide notes first-time enrollees' records are typically reviewed by the local school nurse; thereafter, annual evidence continues.

Health and medical services evidence or exemption

Attach evidence of health and medical services required for the child's age or grade under Article XIV (records or physician letter)—or a religious exemption, per the BEC.

Compliance assurance + §111 conviction certification

Assure the program will comply with § 1327.1 (the filing is satisfactory evidence thereof). Include a certification that the supervisor, all adults living in the home, and persons with legal custody of a child in the program have not been convicted of the criminal offenses enumerated in subsection (e) of section 111 within the five years immediately preceding the filing date. Use the statute and PDE templates for exact language; this guide does not list the enumerated offenses.

Students with a disability (short callout)

Additional requirements may apply. See the current PDE guide's disability section—do not invent IEP or special-education steps from this page.

Quick attach trio (BEC): (1) objectives outline by subject area, (2) immunization evidence or qualifying exemption, (3) Article XIV health/medical evidence or religious exemption—in addition to the completed affidavit or unsworn declaration.

First year vs returning: when is it due?

The filing covers the school year July 1 – June 30. Calendar context only (§ 1327.1(c)): at least 180 days or 900 hours (elementary) / 990 hours (secondary)—not this article's focus.

Practical tip: Withdrawing mid-year from brick-and-mortar school? File before commencing home education, with the packet complete. Keep a dated copy.

Don't confuse August 1 with June 30

Two different filings with the same superintendent—do not merge them.

One sentence: June = evaluator certification; August = affidavit/unsworn + attachments.

Portfolio and evaluator how-to stay on the companion Pennsylvania Homeschool Evaluation (June 30) guide—not here.

A year-round activity-log habit feeds the June portfolio later; it is not part of the August packet.

Suggested July packet timeline

After the June 30 certification is in:

1. Download the PDE elementary (K–6) or secondary (7–12) sample—affidavit or unsworn—from the PDE hub or BEC (re-check Word links at publish; URLs can move).
2. Draft the outline of proposed education objectives by subject area.
3. Gather immunization and health/medical PDFs (or exemption docs).
4. Notarize the affidavit or sign the unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury.
5. Submit per district instructions (verify locally). Keep a copy.

How Bloomfolio helps

Bloomfolio is a homeschool portfolio and docs product for families in 32 states, Pennsylvania among them. For Pennsylvania's August packet, the quiet win is drafting subject objectives and stashing immunization/health PDFs in one place. Sage can offer light help on objective wording.

Bloomfolio does not notarize, does not file with the superintendent, and does not replace PDE forms or templates. You still use PDE's language (or an equivalent that meets the statute) and submit yourself.

Soft CTA: If you are drafting objectives and collecting immunization/health PDFs anyway, keep the packet in one place. Start free—Free is $0 (up to 3 students, 20 Sage messages to start, +5 every day) for logging and keeping the packet together. When you want the affidavit packet and objectives generated, Essential is $8/mo (or Family at $15/mo); paid features include a 14-day free trial. See Free vs Essential when you are ready—no hard sell.

FAQ

Q: What must Pennsylvania homeschool parents file by August 1?
A: Under 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(b)(1) and PDE's Home Education Program BEC, the home education supervisor must submit a notarized affidavit or an unsworn declaration to the superintendent of the school district of residence prior to commencing the program and annually thereafter by August 1. The filing includes supervisor and student information, the program site, an English-language subjects statement with an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area, immunization and required health/medical evidence (or a valid exemption), a compliance assurance, and the section 111 conviction certification.

Q: What is the difference between a PA homeschool affidavit and an unsworn declaration?
A: PDE states the documents are similar in function and content. A traditional affidavit must be notarized. An unsworn declaration does not need a notary; it is signed under penalty of perjury. PDE publishes sample Word templates for both at the elementary (K–6) and secondary (7–12) levels. Check your local school board's home-education policy for submission preferences.

Q: What should be attached to the Pennsylvania home education affidavit?
A: Per the PDE Home Education Program BEC, attach (1) an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area, (2) evidence of immunization under School Code § 1303(a) or a qualifying medical/religious/philosophical objection, and (3) evidence of required Article XIV health and medical services for the child's age or grade level, or a religious exemption. The statute also requires supervisor/student/site details, the English-language subjects statement, compliance assurance, and §111 certification on the filing itself.

Q: When is the first-year affidavit due vs the annual August 1 renewal?
A: The first filing is due prior to commencing the home education program. Returning families file annually by August 1. PDE's guide notes year-round families may file as early as July 1 so the July 1–June 30 school year can start counting.

Q: What goes in the outline of proposed education objectives—and can the district use it against me for compliance?
A: Attach an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area—PDE describes it as a game plan / table of contents, individualized and not required to mirror district curriculum order. Under § 1327.1(b)(1), the superintendent shall not use that outline to determine whether the program is out of compliance with this section and section 1327.

Q: How is the August 1 affidavit different from the June 30 evaluator certification?
A: August 1 (and prior to commencing) is the supervisor's affidavit or unsworn declaration packet with the superintendent. June 30 is the evaluator's written certification that an appropriate education is occurring (24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(h.1)). The portfolio is reviewed by the evaluator; it is not the August filing. See the companion June 30 evaluation guide.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool requirements and district procedures can change. Always verify current rules with the official Pennsylvania sources linked above and with your school district of residence; consult a qualified attorney if you need advice about your situation.

Sources