Florida offers two paths to a vaccine exemption in Florida schools and childcare: religious and medical. They use different forms, different offices, and different rules. Picking the right one first saves you weeks. Here is how they compare, plus a free quiz that points you to your fit.
The two paths, side by side
| Religious (DH 681) | Medical (DH 680) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles it | Your county health department | Your child’s physician |
| How | In person, issued on request | Entered through the Florida SHOTS registry |
| Basis | Your written religious objection, in your own words | The physician’s medical judgment |
| Expiration | None | Temporary or permanent, as the physician certifies |
| Covers | K-12 public and private, childcare, VPK | Same settings, per the certification |
Questions that point you to one path
Start with the nature of your objection. If it is religious in conviction, the DH 681 path exists for exactly that. Florida law asks only that you object in writing. No pastor letter, no membership proof.
If your concern is your child’s health history or a medical condition, talk with your physician. The medical path runs entirely through the doctor, not through you. You cannot file a DH 680 yourself.
One thing that does not exist: a personal belief exemption. Florida rejected that option in 2026.
Situations that need extra care
- Parents who disagree. When both parents share decision-making, one parent’s exemption request can create real conflict. This deserves careful handling before anyone visits an office.
- College students. Florida campuses follow a different statute and a different waiver process. A DH 681 is not the college document.
- New to Florida. Out-of-state exemptions do not transfer. Florida requires Florida’s forms.
Find your path in two minutes
The free triage quiz asks a handful of questions and tells you which path fits, or whether your situation needs more than a form. It is the same starting point students use inside the course.
Get the full step-by-step
The Florida Vaccine Exemption Course walks you through the whole process in plain language. It includes a request-letter helper you complete in your own words, a directory of all 67 county health departments, printable checklists, and what to do if a school pushes back.
It costs $49. One-time purchase, no recurring fees, free updates for as long as the course is offered.
This article is legal education, not legal advice. Reading it does not make Legal Lotus Learning, or its affiliates, your lawyer. Every family’s situation is different. If your case involves a dispute or unusual circumstances, talk with a licensed Florida attorney.
Last verified: July 3, 2026. Florida law on this topic is politically active. We re-check this article when the law changes.