State law guide
How to Homeschool in Utah
Checked by hand against Utah Code 53G-6-204, last verified June 10, 2026.
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Is homeschooling legal in Utah?
Yes, homeschooling is fully legal in Utah. Yes, homeschooling is completely legal in Utah, and as of 2025 it got even simpler. One short letter to your district, one time, and you're free to teach your own way. Here's exactly what Utah requires, in plain English.
Utah homeschool requirements at a glance
| Notice required | Yes, a one-time notification (letter of intent) to your district when you start. No annual refiling, no notary. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | No, you choose what to teach. |
| Testing / assessment | No, districts may not require testing. |
| Recordkeeping | No, districts may not require records of instruction or attendance. |
| Parent qualifications | None. |
Utah homeschool law in detail
Each requirement below links to the statute that governs it, so you can read the law yourself instead of taking our word for it. The governing law is Utah Code 53G-6-204.
Notice / letter of intent
Utah changed this in 2025. Under HB 209 (effective May 7, 2025) the old notarized affidavit is gone. When you withdraw a child to homeschool or choose not to enroll one, you give a one-time initial notification (which may include a letter of intent) to your district of residence's local school board (Utah Code 53G-6-204(3)). No notary and no background attestation. The district must record it and acknowledge receipt within 30 days. Filed on or before May 7, 2025? You don't refile.
Read the law: Utah Code 53G-6-204(3)
Required subjects
None. You are "solely responsible for the selection of instructional materials" and "the time, place, and method of instruction" (53G-6-204(2)(a)).
Read the law: No subject mandate in the statute No required subjects; under 53G-6-204(2)(a) the parent is solely responsible for selecting instructional materials and the time, place, and method of instruction.
Required days or hours
None. No required days or hours.
Read the law: No instruction-time mandate in the statute No required days or hours. Record cites no specific subsection; governing statute is Utah Code 53G-6-204.
Recordkeeping
Not required. The law says a board "may not require a parent to maintain records of instruction or attendance" (53G-6-204(2)(b)). Keeping your district acknowledgment and informal records is still smart.
Read the law: No recordkeeping mandate in the statute Not required; under 53G-6-204(2)(b) a board may not require a parent to maintain records of instruction or attendance.
Testing and assessment
None. A board "may not require standardized or other testing" (53G-6-204(2)(b)).
Read the law: No assessment mandate in the statute None; under 53G-6-204(2)(b) a board may not require standardized or other testing.
Withdrawing from public school
The same one-time notification covers it. Also tell your child's current school in writing so they mark the child unenrolled rather than truant; keep a copy.
Read the law: Utah Code 53G-6-204(3) The same one-time notification under 53G-6-204(3) covers withdrawal; record cites no separate withdrawal subsection.
Good to know
Utah encourages voluntary cooperation and resource sharing between districts and homeschool families; extracurricular eligibility rules are set per district.
How to start homeschooling in Utah
- If your child is currently enrolled, send a short withdrawal note to the school so they're unenrolled. Some families send it certified mail for a paper trail.
- Write a simple one-time notification (a letter of intent) to your local school board stating your child will attend a home school and you're assuming responsibility for their education.
- Deliver it to your district once, mail, in person, however they accept it. It does not need to be notarized anymore.
- Watch for your acknowledgment. The district must acknowledge receipt within 30 days. Keep it with a copy of your notification.
- Start homeschooling your way. Pick your curriculum, set your schedule, and don't refile each year.
File your notice
Utah requires a one-time signed notice (affidavit) of intent to your local school board under HB 209 (effective 2025). There is no statewide downloadable form, so use your district's notice or a signed letter. It is filed once, not every year.
No login and no fee to file. If you need wording, our fill-in-the-blank letter template is just below.
Form links checked when we built this page.
Homeschool funding in Utah
We're verifying Utah's funding programs against official sources right now, dollar amounts and rules change yearly, and we'd rather be right than first. Check back soon.
Free Utah Letter of Intent template
Fill-in-the-blank and ready to send. Free, no email required.
Download the free templateFind homeschool families near you in Utah
Co-Op
- Cache Valley Homeschoolers · Cache County
Facebook group offering field trips and resources
Visit website - Club Amity · Davis County
A local homeschool co-op, offering classes for children up to 16 years old
Visit website - Cornerstone Classical Community · Salt Lake County
A Classical-Christian homeschool co-op located in SLC, serving students from preschool - high school
Visit website - Elevation Homeschool Co-op · Davis County
A loosely classical co-op formed in 2014 by like-minded homeschool families in Davis County
Visit website - Fire Canyon Academy · Washington County (St. George area)
A non-denominational Christian community of homeschooling families in the St. George area, offering educational experiences for youth
Visit website - George Mueller Academy · Utah County (Lehi)
A homeschool co-op in Lehi bringing local families together to support individual education
Visit website - South Valley Leadership Academy · Salt Lake County (West Jordan)
A co-op in West Jordan focused on growing leaders who love learning and embody moral virtues
Visit website
Forest & Nature School
- Cache Valley Forest School · Cache County
Provides quality place-based education in a holistic forest setting through student-led learning and play
Visit website - Community Roots Forest School · Utah County (Saratoga Springs)
Located in Saratoga Springs, offers all-outdoor, all-weather nature immersion programs inspired by the European Waldkindergarten model
Visit website - Grateful Gathering Forest School · Salt Lake County (Sandy)
Based in Sandy, offering nature-based exploration and child-led play for ages 3-9
Visit website - Juniper and Birch Forest School · Iron County (Cedar City)
Located in Cedar City, offering nature-based school and day camps for preschool and elementary-aged students
Visit website - The Child's Element · Davis County (Bountiful and Holladay)
Offers outdoor programs including Mindful Forest Preschool and summer camps in Bountiful and Holladay
Visit website - Wildwood Forest School · Utah County
An outdoor nature-immersion school serving Utah County families, offering programs for ages 3-9
Visit website - Wonderbloom Nature Playschool · Salt Lake County (Murray)
A non-profit, state-licensed, nature-based early childhood education program for children ages 2-5 located in Murray
Visit website
Waldorf School
- Elderberry Wilds · Wasatch County (Midway)
Offers Waldorf-inspired programs including morning-garden parent-child groups and seasonal story gardens in Midway
Visit website - Mountain Sunrise Academy · Utah County (north side of Utah Lake)
Tuition-free public K-8 Waldorf charter school located along the north side of Utah Lake
Visit website - Treeside Charter School · Utah County (Provo)
A Waldorf-inspired charter school in Provo, delivering whole-child education for students from kindergarten - 6th grade
Visit website - Wasatch Charter School · Salt Lake County (Salt Lake Valley)
A K-8 tuition-free charter school in the Salt Lake Valley guided by the principles of public Waldorf education
Visit website
Homeschooling in nearby states
Utah homeschooling FAQ
Do I still have to get my homeschool affidavit notarized in Utah?
No. As of May 7, 2025, HB 209 replaced the notarized affidavit with a simple one-time notification. No notary, no background attestation. A plain written letter of intent to your district is enough.
Do I have to refile every year?
No. The notification is a one-time filing. As long as you keep homeschooling in the same district, you don't refile. If you filed before May 7, 2025, the district can't make you submit a new notice.
My child has never been to public school, do I still notify?
Yes. The law applies whether you're withdrawing an enrolled child or choosing not to enroll one. Either way, you provide the one-time notification to your local school board.
Will the district test my child or check my curriculum?
No. Utah law prohibits the district from requiring testing, records, or teaching credentials. You choose your materials, schedule, and how you evaluate progress.
How will I know my notice was received?
The board must keep a record of your notification and acknowledge receipt within 30 days. Save that acknowledgment with a copy of your notice.
Can my homeschooler play sports or take a class at the public school?
Utah law encourages cooperation between districts and homeschool families, and homeschoolers are generally eligible to participate under district standards. Check with your specific district.
Sources
- Utah Code 53G-6-204
- Utah HB 209 (enrolled, eff. May 7, 2025)
- HSLDA, How to Comply with Utah's Homeschool Law
- HSLDA, Utah
- USBE Home School
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change, always confirm current requirements with your state's official sources before relying on them.