FAQs - Enrollment & Custody Issues

Answer: No. You need to obtain custody or guardianship of the child and, as required by Ohio Law, proof of custody must be provided at the time of enrollment. Please contact the Franklin County Clerk of Courts office at (614) 525-4410 for further details.

Question: I have a motion for custody. Can I enroll my child with a court ordered motion?

Answer: Yes, IF the motion is court-filed, stamped, and has a future hearing date, typically within 60 days. The Student Enrollment Center can accept this motion until the final court documents are completed.

A: In the State of Ohio, if parents were not married or at the time of birth, the mother is the sole custodial parent unless the father goes to court and obtains an order of custody (Ohio Revised Code 3109.042). Proof of custody must be provided at the time of enrollment in order to enroll your child(ren). Please contact the Franklin County Clerk of Courts office at (614) 525-4410 for further details.

Answer: No. The court order must be signed by a judge/magistrate, dated, and time-stamped to be valid and accepted.

Answer: No. The SWCSD will not accept notarized statements. You need to obtain custody/guardianship of the child and, as required by Ohio Law, proof of custody must be provided at the time of enrollment. Please contact the Franklin County Clerk of Courts office at (614) 525-4410 for further details.

Question: We live in two different school districts. Can my child attend school in either school district?

Answer: No. The child must attend school in the district of the “residential parent for school placement purposes" as stated in the divorce/separation agreement and/or shared parenting plan.

Question: I do not want the non-custodial parent to have access to the children’s school records. Is this acceptable?

Answer: No. According to Ohio Law, a non-custodial parent has the same rights as a custodial parent pertaining to student records. The only exception is if you have a protection order or restraining order which would not allow access by the other parent. If you have such an order and wish for us to honor your request, the enrollment center MUST have a copy of the protection order. Otherwise, the school district cannot deny the non-custodial parent rights to student records.

Answer: No. The SWCSD is not an open-enrollment school district. You must live within the district boundaries to attend a school in the SWCSD. You can review your home address and school assignment by visiting this page.

Question: How can I enroll my child in school in the SWCSD? (Click here)

A: At the time of enrollment, the parent/guardian is required to provide proof of residency. However, we do understand there are situations that may require a family to move in with a friend/relative. In these situations, two notarized forms must be completed: 1) an Oath of Residence Affidavit by Parent/Guardian; and 2) a Residency Affidavit by Renter/Owner. This will require the renter/owner to provide the required proof of residency at the time of enrollment and grants the registering family thirty (30) days to provide the district with proof of residency at that address. 

(Link to Oath of Residence Form English) (Oath of Residency Form Spanish) (Oath of Residency Form Somali) 

(Residency Affidavit English) (Residency Affidavit Spanish) (Residency Affidavit Somali) 

Answer: No. SWCSD honors all suspensions and expulsions from other school districts. In addition, if a student is expelled from the SWCSD, the expulsion applies to all schools in the district. S/he must re-enroll at the Enrollment Center once the expulsion is completed.

Question: My child currently attends school in the SWCSD. Due to financial hardship......we lost our home and are currently homeless, without a permanent address or living in a shelter. What do I do?

A: Contact the SWCSD State & Federal Programs Department at (614) 801-8390 for more information and assistance.