Arizona law fully protects your right to decline childhood vaccines. If you choose to opt out, you must fill out the correct official paperwork before your child starts daycare, preschool, or school.
Here is exactly how the system works in Arizona, broken down simply by age group.
1. For Daycare & Preschool (Ages 0 to 4)
If you are enrolling an unvaccinated baby or toddler into a childcare facility or preschool, Arizona law requires a Religious Beliefs Exemption Form.
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- The Rule: You must sign this form stating that the required vaccines conflict with your family’s religious practices or spiritual beliefs.
- Where to get it: You can download this directly from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) website.
2. For Kindergarten through 12th Grade (Ages 5+)
Once your child reaches kindergarten, the law shifts to a Personal Beliefs Exemption Form
The Rule: You can opt out based on your personal moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs. Your reasons do not have to be tied to a church or organized religion.
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- How it works: The form lists each individual disease. You will put your initials next to each vaccine you are declining, then sign and date the bottom.
3. Quick Facts About the Forms
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- No Notary Needed: You do not need to pay a notary or get the forms stamped. A parent’s signature is all that is legally required
- Free of Charge: Schools and daycares cannot charge you a fee for filing an exemption formÂ
- Turn it into the Office: Give the completed form directly to your school nurse or daycare director during registrationÂ
The “Stay at Home” Rule during Outbreaks
If you choose to decline vaccines, you must plan for the possibility of temporary school exclusions.
Under Arizona public health rules, if a contagious disease (like measles or chickenpox) breaks out at your child’s school, the county health department will immediately require all unvaccinated children to stay home. This quarantine typically lasts 21 days or until the outbreak is completely over, to keep your child safe from exposure.