Homeschooling has become more popular in recent years and many parents choose this path to provide their children with the best education. However, when it comes to homeschooling, there are many additional requirements to complete the course.
One of these requirements is the need to have a letter created saying that your child has completed home school and then have it officially notarized. In this article, we will discuss what this process entails and answer fifteen essential questions about it.
What is a Notarization?
A notarization is the act of a public official, usually a Notary Public, witnessing the signing of a document, solely to ensure that it has been properly signed. This allows a document to be legally recognized in most states, including all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
While notaries are most commonly used for closing real estate deals, they can also serve other purposes. In the case of homeschooling documents, for example, a notarization confirms that the student and parent signatures on the home school completion letter are genuine and valid.
What is a Home School Completion Letter?
A home school completion letter is a document that is created and signed by both the parent and the student to officially document and attests that the student has completed their home school course and received the necessary education and experience to ramp up to higher education. A homeschool completion letter is typically written on official letterhead and signed both by the parent and the student.
Why is a Home School Completion Letter Necessary?
A home school completion letter is necessary in order to prove that your child has completed all of the necessary coursework and is ready to move on to higher education. Home school completion letters are necessary if your child plans to apply to a college, graduate school, trade school, or any other sort of higher educational program.
Most schools require a home school completion letter in order to properly assess a home schooled student’s eligibility for admission.
What Documents Will a Notary Need to Notarize a Home School Completion Letter?
When preparing to have a home school completion letter notarized, the notary will need to verify the identity of both the student and the parent signing the document. This will typically require that both the student and the parent sign the letter in the presence of the notary, and then provide some form of identification for verification.
This can include things such as a driver’s license or other government-issued ID. The notary will also need the original document in order to provide the notarization.
What Does the Notary Do When Notarizing a Home School Completion Letter?
When notarizing a home school completion letter, the notary will ask to see the document and to verify the identity of both the student and the parent signing the document. Then, the notary will witness both of the individuals signing the document directly and take an oath or affirmation from them. After this, the notary will place his/her official seal and signature on the document.
Then, the notary will provide both the student and the parent with a copy of the notarized document.
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Home School Completion Letter Notarized?
The cost of having a home school completion letter notarized will depend on several factors, such as the specific state you are in and the number of documents being notarized. Generally speaking, the cost will range from a few dollars to around $20 per document.
Where Can I Find a Notary to Notarize My Home School Completion Letter?
Finding a notary to notarize your home school completion letter is fairly simple. Notaries can be found in a variety of places, including banks, post offices, public libraries, and other government offices.
In some cases, you may even be able to find a notary that will come to your house to provide the necessary notarization services.
Do I Have to Use a Notary to Notarize My Home School Completion Letter?
Yes, it is typically necessary to use a notary to notarize your home school completion letter. This is mainly because notaries are legally authorized to witness the signing of documents.
In addition, notaries also provide additional services, such as verifying the identities of the persons signing the document, thus providing additional protection and assurance that the document is genuine and valid.
What Other Types of Documents Can a Notary Notarize?
Notaries are authorized to notarize a wide range of documents, including wills, trusts, contracts, affidavits, deeds, and a variety of other types of legal documents. In addition, notaries can also provide other services, such as document verification, taking affidavits and statements, witnessing signatures, and performing other legal tasks.
Do I Have to Have a Home School Completion Letter Notarized in My State?
Yes, typically you will need to have a home school completion letter notarized in your state. This is mainly due to the fact that the notary laws vary from state to state and the notarization will only be valid in the state where the notary is licensed to practice.
What Should I Include in My Home School Completion Letter?
When creating a home school completion letter, you should include the name and contact information of the student, the dates of completion of the course, and a statement that attests that your child has completed the necessary coursework to be ready to move on to higher education. It should also include both the parent and student’s signatures and should be written on official letterhead.
Is it Necessary to Have a Notarized Home School Completion Letter if My Child Plans to Join the Military?
No, typically it is not necessary to have a notarized home school completion letter if your child plans to join the military. Instead, the military typically requires a “Certificate of Private Education” which is issued by the state and does not require a notarization.
Do I Need to Have My Home School Completion Letter Notarized Every Year?
No, typically you do not need to have your home school completion letter notarized every year. A notarized home school completion letter is typically valid for a period of two years. After that, if the student wishes to continue on to higher education, they will typically need to have a new home school completion letter notarized.
Does the Notary Have to Sign the Home School Completion Letter?
No, the notary does not have to sign the home school completion letter. When providing notarization services, the notary is there to witness the signing of the document and to verify the identities of the individuals signing the document. The notary will then place their official seal and signature along with a notarial certificate on the document and provide copies to those involved.
What Other Types of Documents Do I Need to Have Signed and Notarized in Order to Complete the Home Schooling Process?
In addition to the home school completion letter, it may be necessary to have other documents signed and notarized in order to properly complete the home schooling process. Depending on the state and the type of home school program, this may include various tests or assessment documents, attendance records, transcripts, and more.
Conclusion
There are many requirements to complete a home school program, including the need to have a home school completion letter correctly signed and notarized. Notarizations are an important part of this process because they ensure that the document is legitimate and valid. In this article, fifteen essential questions about notarized home school completion letters were answered.