Proof of residency is almost always required for school enrollment. It’s simply a legal document that tells an interested organization such as a school or college that you live where you say you live. This is important for educational institutions because some of their funding may be tied to enrolling students from a certain location.
It may also be that local students get preferential terms or reduced rates for tuition and other services. It’s important that you can prove that you qualify for these favorable rates.
Another reason to provide proof of residency in some areas is that certain very popular elementary and high schools expect students to live within a particular school district. Parents have been known to go to considerable lengths, up to and including moving home, in order to fall within a favorable school’s catchment area. It’s also not unknown for people to “borrow” a friend or relative’s address simply to prove that they live in the right area.
As a proof of residency is a legal document, an affidavit; in fact, there are legal penalties for giving false information. This is a deterrent for people who might be thinking about falsifying their declaration.
If you are under age, your parents will probably have to make this declaration for you.
How to Write a Proof of Residency for School
There is no need to worry about getting the correct format for your proof of residency for school. Proof of residency for school templates are available for free. They will guide you through this simple document, which, when you have completed it, will need to be notarized by a notary public.
What Does a Proof of Residency for School Contain?
It’s a good idea for you to have some form of proof of your address with you to show to the notary public, the official who will legally certify that the information you are supplying is correct.
Some proofs of identity and address could be a driver’s license, a social security card, or a rent book. Proof of identity alone could be a birth certificate, bank document, or passport.
Remember that the information that you will be supplying on the proof of residency should be true and also accurate. So, if, for example, you are always known as Butch, you should state that your first name is the name on your birth certificate – Alfonso.
Equally, if your home is known locally as Pete’s Place, but it has a more formal address – Pete’s Bar and Grill – then the more formal address is the one you should use for this document. You are preparing a legal document, and as such, it should be clear, complete, and accurate.
- Your letter should begin with the heading – Notarized Affidavit of Residency
- Your full legal name – this should include any middle names. The full names, not the initials, should be used.
- Your address. This must show your apartment number (if any), the name of your property (if it has one – for example, Triple J Ranch), the street address, the town or city, the state, and the zip code
- Next comes the date on which you will have the document notarized
- It is usual to use the phrase “To whom it may concern” as a form of address, but you could also use the name and title of the person requesting the proof of residency.
- You then declare the full address where you live and also the length of time that you have lived there.
Once all this is done, you can go to the notary public, who will notarize the document. He or she confirms that they have checked that you are who you say you are and that you live where you say that you live.
Sample Proof of Residency Letter for School
Notarized Affidavit of Residency
Alfonso Bettancourt Jr
Apartment 218
Nelson Mandela House
Swanage Blvd
Springfield
Massachusets
98765-4321
31st December 2032
To whom it may concern.
I, Alfonso Bettancourt Jr., formally acknowledge residence at the street address of Apartment 218, Nelson Mandela House, Swanage Blvd, City of Springfield, State of Massachusetts, since 14th May 2010.
Full Name
Signature
Contact Details
What if I am Homeless?
If you are homeless, you should contact the institution asking for proof of residency and explain the situation to them. There are usually special arrangements available to help you in this case. Don’t let homelessness deter you from applying to school.
