A grandparent, aunt, uncle or other adult relative who is raising a child in Louisville can enroll that child in Jefferson County Public Schools without custody papers. Kentucky's Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit makes the caregiver "the person responsible for enrolling the minor in school and acting as the minor's legal contact with the school."
The Kentucky Department of Education's Pupil Attendance Manual for the 2026 to 2027 school year, dated July 2026, says the same thing from the district's side. Under KRS 159.010, anyone with custody or "charge" of a child has to send that child to school in the district where the child lives. The manual says "this may be a relative or a family friend who has taken over care for the child but does not have legal guardianship or other formal legal order." It adds that the court system's Standard Power of Attorney for School Decision Making form "is not required under Kentucky law for the adult to enroll the student in school."
The statutes, state forms and JCPS pages below were rechecked October 29, 2026.
Which school district is the child's?
The child belongs to the district where they sleep most nights. The state attendance manual says that when the adults responsible for a child live in different districts, "the student's district of residence ... will be the district where the student lies his/her head at night, most nights, with the adult who has custody or charge of the student."
So if a child lives with you in Jefferson County most nights, JCPS is the district, even if a parent lives in Bullitt or Oldham County. Within JCPS, your address decides the resides school. Look it up on the district's SchoolFinder or call the JCPS Demographics Office at 502 485 3050.
The manual also says the district's Director of Pupil Personnel may conduct a home visit "to confirm ... that the child actually resides in the district." Expect questions if the arrangement is new. That isn't the same as the school doubting your affidavit. KRS 158.144(4) says a person who relies in good faith on a properly completed affidavit "shall be under no obligation to undertake further investigation" into the caregiver's authority, and (5) protects that person from civil or criminal liability for the reliance. A residency check looks at where the child lives; the affidavit settles who makes school decisions.
What is the Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit?
It's a Kentucky form that lets a relative caregiver make school and medical decisions without going to court. The law behind it is KRS 405.024, and the school side is KRS 158.144.
The form says a "Caregiver" means an adult "with whom a minor resides, including a grandparent, stepgrandparent, stepparent, aunt, uncle, or any other adult relative." The form's signature line reads "TO BE SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY," and the state's kinship handbook says the affidavit "must be notarized," so plan on a notary.
Under KRS 405.024, the affidavit has to include your name and address, your relationship to the child, a statement that you're over 18, the child's name and birth date, and a statement that the child lives in your home. It names the child's parents or legal custodians and your relationship to them, and it carries their dated signatures approving your authority. If a parent or custodian is unavailable to sign, the law asks for a statement describing why and your reasonable efforts to locate them.
Tell the truth on it. Under KRS 405.024(11) and KRS 158.144(8), a person who "knowingly makes a false statement" in the affidavit "shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor." The form itself must include a statement acknowledging those criminal penalties.
What decisions can a caregiver make?
Nearly all school decisions. KRS 158.144 says a caregiver with the affidavit may make decisions about "enrollment, attendance, extracurricular activities, discipline, special education and related services, and other school-related activities."
The law also says "A school shall honor" that authority when the caregiver presents a properly completed affidavit. The affidavit is valid in the school district where the caregiver lives.
If the child has an IEP or needs an evaluation, the caregiver with the affidavit can take part in those decisions. KRS 158.144(7) adds that the affidavit law doesn't override federal special education law, Section 504 or federal student privacy law, so the IEP team still follows the federal rules on who signs. Our IEP and 504 comparison explains the two plans.
When can a school refuse the affidavit?
KRS 158.144 names two reasons to refuse the affidavit itself and one reason to refuse a caregiver's decision. The school official enrolling the child "shall not honor the affidavit" if there are reasonable grounds to believe it was presented "solely" for one of these purposes:
Access to athletics programs.
Getting around school assignment or boundary rules to reach programs "unique to a particular school."
In plain terms, the affidavit is for a child who really lives with you. It isn't a way to get a child into a different high school's team or a magnet without applying.
The third is about the parent, and it covers a single decision rather than the whole affidavit. KRS 158.144(3) says a school official "shall refuse to honor a caregiver's decision if he or she has actual knowledge that a parent, de facto custodian ... guardian, or legal custodian has made a school-related decision superseding the decision of a caregiver." If a parent has told the school something different, the parent's decision controls.
What can't the affidavit do?
It doesn't make you a legal guardian. The form says, "An affidavit does not give a caregiver the status of a de facto custodian, guardian, or legal custodian of the minor."
A parent's decision still wins. The form says a caregiver's decision "shall be superseded by a decision of the child's parent(s), de facto custodian, guardian, or legal custodian."
It also expires. The form says authorization "is valid for one (1) year and may be renewed annually unless revoked." KRS 158.144 says it must be revoked if the child stops living with you, and that you then have to give written notice to any school where you used it.
What else will JCPS ask for?
JCPS asks every new student for proof of address dated within the last 30 days. The district's Registration page accepts a gas, electric or water bill, a lease or closing statement with the signature page, a paycheck or stub, or an SSI or other government benefits letter "that has your name and address on it."
JCPS's registration landing page, rechecked October 29, 2026, says proof "must show the parent/guardian's name, the address, and must be current." Neither page says how that applies to a grandparent or aunt holding an affidavit, and JCPS hasn't published anything confirming that proof in the caregiver's name is accepted. Call the Office of School Choice before you go, and bring documents in your name, at your address, along with the affidavit. The child's records and birth certificate help but aren't proof of address.
JCPS also posts its own Caregiver Affidavit form, built on the same two statutes and also signed in front of a notary. The district form says it goes in the student's permanent school file. Neither it nor the registration pages say whether JCPS will take the state form instead, so ask which one to bring when you call. If you can, get both notarized at the same visit.
Two JCPS pages describe registration a little differently. The Registration page says new students register online, and families without a computer can register in person at the School Choice office. The New Students page says new students can register online, at any JCPS elementary school or at the Office of School Choice.
What if the child has nowhere stable to live?
Then federal law may give more help than the affidavit. The JCPS Registration page says you can register a child "regardless of immigration status and/or a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The New Students page goes further: a student who "lives in a shelter, hotel, or family member's residence" or has a temporary arrangement "because of economic hardship" may qualify for help from the Office of Access and Opportunity at 502 485 3650 or homelessmlbx@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Under the McKinney Vento Act, a child living doubled up with relatives after losing housing may qualify. The JCPS Access and Opportunity page, rechecked October 29, 2026, says eligible students can "Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization/medical records." They can also stay at their school of origin with transportation.
The same page says every school has a trained McKinney Vento and foster care liaison. If the child came to you because a parent lost housing, ask that liaison whether the child qualifies before you assume the affidavit is the only route.
Is help available for kinship families?
Yes. Kentucky's Kinship Caregiver Handbook explains the difference between informal arrangements and placements made through the state child welfare agency, and it links forms. It also tells caregivers to sit down with the school's guidance counselor, family resource coordinator or principal and review the child's grades, testing and attendance.
What should you bring to enroll?
Bring the notarized affidavit the office tells you to use, a proof of address in your name dated within 30 days, and any records you have for the child. The JCPS Office of School Choice is in the Lam Building, 4309 Bishop Lane, Louisville, KY 40218. Call 502 485 6250 or email jcpsschoolchoice@jefferson.kyschools.us. Put a reminder on your calendar to renew the affidavit in a year.