What Will The School Need To Enroll My Child?

Georgia law 20-2-690.1 requires any person, whether or not a parent or legal guardian, who has “control or charge of any child between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays” to enroll and send the child to a public school, private school, or home study program.

Georgia law requires that kindergarten students be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 and first-grade students be 6 years old on or before Sept. 1 to be registered.

The following is a summary of the documentation required for any parent/legal guardian (granted through the court system) or a non-parent seeking to enroll a student in the Cobb County School District (District).

If the person enrolling the student is not the student’s parent/legal guardian, the school will require that person to complete Form JBC-14 (Kinship Caregiver Affidavit) in full.

There are FIVE (5) main documents required of ALL students before being enrolled in the District. To help ensure that the enrollment process for your child goes as smoothly as possible, please refer to the following items:

1. PROOF OF RESIDENCY: Residency as defined by the Georgia Board of Education rule 160-5-1-.28 shall mean the place where the student lives with a parent, guardian, or other person (see Form JBC-14), unless the student is an emancipated minor. The student must be an occupant of a dwelling located within the school system boundaries. Proof of residence in the attendance zone of the school in which the student enrolls shall be required when a student enrolls and whenever a change of residence occurs, unless the student is homeless. Individuals not legally admitted into the country cannot be denied a free public education.

To verify residency within the District, two or more of the following items (no more than one from each category) are required:

• home ownership documentation or lease/rental agreement; and
• current utility monthly statement

2. CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION: as required by Georgia Law 20-2-771:

Georgia Form 3231 is required for all kindergarten students, all students new to Georgia, and students coming from any private school. A licensed health-care provider or the county health department must sign the form. To be enrolled in the District, ALL certificates of immunization must be marked “Complete for Attendance” OR have a future expiration date. Expired certificates will not be accepted for enrollment.

• Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children Under 7 Years Old
• Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children, 7 to 18 Years Old
• State of Georgia Immunization requirements
  • Kindergarten Immunization Requirements (In English)
  • Kindergarten Immunization Requirements (En Español)
• Form JGC-4 (Waiver of Immunization Requirements Due to Conflict of Religious Beliefs)
• Medical Waivers/Exemptions are a part of Georgia Form 3231 and are reviewed annually.
• Back to School 2021 Letter from Cobb & Douglas Public Health

3. CERTIFICATE OF VISION, HEARING, DENTAL, AND NUTRITIONAL SCREENING: as required by Georgia Law 20-2-770 (Georgia Form 3300) for all kindergarten and new first grade students, all students new to Georgia, and any child enrolling from a private school dated within 12 months before the day of enrollment. However, if a student is enrolling from another Georgia public school, a completed 3300 Form will be accepted by any District school.

• Cobb & Douglas Public Health Centers

4. PROOF OF BIRTH DATE: for students enrolling in kindergarten (the age of five on or before Sept. 1) or first grade (the age of six on or before Sept 1), students new to Georgia or coming from a private school. The school will accept evidence, in the order set forth below, that shows the student’s date of birth. Refer to Section B of Rule JBC-R (Admissions/Withdrawals) for additional entrance age requirements.

• Birth Certificate
• Military ID
• Driver’s License
• Passport
• Adoption Record
• A religious record authorized by a religious official
• An official school transcript
• Affidavit of age

5. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: According to Georgia Law 20-2-150d, an official copy of the student’s Social Security card/number is required for enrollment. However, no student may be denied enrollment for failing to provide their Social Security number. Any parent/legal guardian who objects to the incorporation of the Social Security number into the child’s school records may have the requirement waived by signing a statement objecting to the requirement Form JBC-4 (Statement of Objection to the Use of Social Security Number for Student Identification). However, a Social Security Number will be required by the State for a student applying for the HOPE scholarship.

OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENROLLMENT as required by Georgia Law 20-2-670:

• Parental Disclosure
  As a prerequisite of enrollment, the parent/guardian must disclose whether the student:
  • Has ever been adjudicated delinquent of the commission of a class A designated felony act or class B designated felony act, and if so, the date of such adjudication, the offense committed, the jurisdiction in which such adjudication was made, and the sentence imposed;
  • Is currently serving a short-term suspension, a long-term suspension, or an expulsion from another school, the reason for such discipline, and the term of such discipline;  
  • Is currently the subject of a notice of a disciplinary hearing;
  • Is currently or has ever been the subject of a:
    • Notice of a report of criminal action;
    • Notice of chronic disciplinary problem;
    • Disciplinary and behavioral correction plans; or
    • Report of the commission of a prohibited act (see O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1184).
• Critical Records
  In accordance with Georgia Law, a certified copy of the following records from all schools attended during the 24 months preceding enrollment are required (if applicable):
  • Academic Transcript 
  • Attendance Records
  • Student discipline records, including, but not limited to, all records of any: 
    • Disciplinary order of short-term suspension, long-term suspension, or expulsion;
    • Notice of a report of criminal action;
    • Notice of chronic disciplinary problem;
    • Disciplinary and behavioral correction plan; and
    • Report of the commission of a prohibited act (see O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1184);
  • Record of the student having ever been adjudicated delinquent of the commission of a class A designated felony act or class B designated felony act, and if so, the date of such adjudication, the offense committed, the jurisdiction in which such adjudication was made, and the sentence imposed.
  • An Individualized Education Program (IEP) pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or a plan under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. and
  • Psychological evaluations.

Additional Information:

The School May Also:

• request proof of custody or custody documentation; or
• suggest that the adult with whom the student lives obtain legal guardianship.
• request proof of name verification; and
• other information the school deems necessary for proper placement.

Provide the names and phone numbers of persons who may pick up your child if you cannot be reached, and the name and phone number of your child's doctor.

See Rule JBC-R (Admissions/Withdrawals) for additional details on Admissions.

To apply for free and reduced meal benefits, submit an online application here.