If your child’s school or daycare is asking for shot records, you have options. Florida law recognizes a religious vaccine exemption for school and childcare enrollment. The state’s document for it is Form DH 681, the Religious Exemption From Immunization. This guide explains what the exemption is, who issues it, and how the process works.
What the religious vaccine exemption in Florida actually is
Section 1003.22, Florida Statutes sets the immunization rules for school entry. The same law contains a religious objection provision. It applies to public schools and private schools alike. Licensed childcare, daycare, and VPK programs follow the same two-exemption system.
Florida recognizes only two exemptions: religious and medical. There is no personal belief exemption in Florida, despite what you may have read online.
Who issues Form DH 681
Only your county health department issues the DH 681. You request it in person, and the department issues it on request. You cannot download it, and no parent-fillable version exists. Once issued, the form does not expire.
Plan for no charge, but confirm when you call your county office. Every county health department in Florida follows the same statewide rule. Only the logistics differ, like walk-in hours versus appointments.
The process at a glance
- Confirm the religious path fits your family. Our free two-minute quiz helps you check.
- Put your objection in writing, in your own words. Florida law asks only that you object in writing.
- Visit your county health department and request the DH 681.
- Deliver the signed form to the school or childcare provider.
Four steps sounds simple, and for many families it is. But each step hides details that trip people up. Which parent should go? What documents should you bring? What happens at the counter? What do you say if the front office hesitates? The course answers each of these, county by county.
What Florida does not require
You do not need a letter from a pastor. You do not need proof of church membership. You do not need to pass anyone’s test of your beliefs. We cover the details in this short myth-buster.
One honest caveat: outbreaks
During a declared outbreak, the county health department can temporarily exclude exempt children from school. The exclusion lasts for a period the county health department sets. It is rare, but you should know it exists before you decide.
Where families get stuck
- Going to the wrong county office, or the right office at the wrong time.
- Copying a template letter that reads as insincere.
- Showing up without the documents the visit requires.
- Disagreement between parents about the decision.
Each of these has a fix. The course exists to keep you out of these ditches the first time.
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.