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Proof of Residency

The burden of proof for documenting residency in Prince George County rests with the parent or legal guardian. Generally, the domicile of a minor child is said to be that of the parent or guardian. A child is deemed to reside in Prince George when the child lives with 1) a natural parent or parent by legal adoption; 2) when the parents are deceased, and the child is living with a person acting in place of the parent who resides in Prince George; or 3) when the parents of a child are unable to care for the child and the child is living, not solely for school purposes, with a person acting in place of the parent who resides in Prince George. Proper documentation will be required. Residency requirements also apply to emancipated students who have reached 18 years of age.
 
A student who does not reside in Prince George County and who is not otherwise eligible under the special circumstances outlined in this policy will not be permitted to attend Prince George County Public Schools. If a student is found not to reside in Prince George County and does not meet the special circumstances outlined in this policy, the parent or guardian must withdraw the student immediately and may be liable for paying the cost of tuition for the time the student has been enrolled.
 
Additional direction is provided in the following special circumstances:
 
  • a. A student requiring special needs who is part of a special agreement with another school division is permitted to enroll under the terms of the agreement.
  • b. Consistent with case law and the opinions of the Virginia Attorney General, school staff are not permitted to inquire into a prospective student’s citizenship or visa status in order to enroll that student but may require the parent or guardian to provide proof of residency.
 
The parent or legal guardian may establish residency in Prince George County by providing one of the following documents in the name of the individual:
 
  • a. Copy of lease or rental agreement with current address and parent/guardian name, or residence manager’s letter on company letterhead stating residence is a corporate residence located in Prince George County;
  • b. Copy of deed with current address and parent/guardian name;
  • c. Real estate tax receipt with current address and parent/guardian name;
  • d. Copy of lease or other approved documentation for property at Fort Lee; or
  • e. In circumstances where the parent or legal guardian lives with a friend, relative or they are renting/leasing from a landlord without a written lease, the parent or legal guardian may establish residency by annually completing the residency form (Form JEC-F), as follows: 
 
Homeowner/leaseholder with whom they are living or leasing certifies that either the family is living at their residence or leasing without a written lease, and provides a copy of one of the following documents in the name of the homeowner/leaseholder:
 
  • 1. Lease for one year or residence manager’s letter on company letterhead stating residence is a corporate residence located in Prince George County;
  • 2. Deed with current address and homeowner’s name; or 
  • 3. Real estate tax receipt with homeowner’s current address and name.
 
Once residency has been established, the parent or legal guardian must provide within two months from the date of enrollment any two of the following documents in their name for verification that they are living at homeowner/leaseholder’s address:
 
  • 1. Utility bills for most recent two months that may include water, gas, electricity, cable or telephone;
  • 2. Vehicle-related documents that may include current driver’s license, registration, insurance policy or paid insurance bill;
  • 3. Employment verification that may include current payroll stubs, current employer verification on company letterhead, or similar documents deemed acceptable by the school principal;
  • 4. Tax document that may include current forms of IRS-1099, IRS-1040, IRS-W2, IRS-W4;
  • 5. Other official correspondence from a governmental agency; 
  • 6. Medical bills dated within past three months; or 
  • 7. Consecutive bank statements from the last two months. 
  • f. If the family is purchasing or constructing a home, leasing an apartment or home in Prince George County or is waiting for military housing and expects to take occupancy within 90 days, they must complete Form JEC-F1, and provide supporting documentation, to obtain permission for the children to be enrolled, subject to School Board approval (see Policy JECC).
  • Effective July 1, 2005, Section 22.1-264.1 of the Code of Virginia provides that any person who knowingly makes a false statement concerning residency of a child shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. If it is proven that the address given is not the primary place of residence, tuition will be back-charged to date of enrollment. 
 
If a principal receives information indicating that a student resides outside Prince George County or the attendance area if not on approved waiver, the principal shall send a letter to the parent or legal guardian that requires satisfactory proof of residency within five school days. If satisfactory proof of residency is not provided within five days, the principal will notify the parent or legal guardian that the student will be withdrawn from school at the end of an additional five school days.
Residency Hotline
 
The Prince George School Board has set up a Residency Hotline for concerned citizens to report parents or guardians in violation of documenting residency in Prince George County to allow their child(ren) to attend the school district. Please dial 804-733-2700, ext. 144, with as much identifiable information as possible, i.e. name of student, address currently residing, etc., and we will investigate each matter. Attending school without being a resident of Prince George County will result in legal action and requirement to repay Prince George County the cost of education for the time the student has been enrolled in Prince George County Public Schools.