Residency Processes

Residency Appeal

If you cannot provide approved proof of address, you can request a Residency Appeal.

How to Request a Residency Appeal

Residency Requirements for Enrollment

Before a student can attend a Charlotte-Mecklenburg school, the parent, guardian, or sponsor must show proof of living in Mecklenburg County.

All documents must:

Show the name and address of the parent, guardian, or sponsor.
Be printed and ready to show during registration.

Change of Address

To update your address, go to your child’s current school.

You must bring approved documents to make the change. If you don’t have the required documents, you can submit a Residency Appeal.

Change of Address Form

What Counts as Proof of Residency

You must show one document from each section below.

Section A - Where You Live (choose one)

Section B - Supporting Documents (choose one)

Section C - Special Cases (choose one)

Need Help?

If you're having trouble with residency documents, CMS offers an appeal process to help you register your child without delay.

Student Placement Office: (980) 343-5335

Residency Affidavit forms are available at any CMS school or the Student Placement Office.

Note: This policy does not apply to students who are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act.

Residency Affidavit Form

Residency Affidavit is for students who are presented and want to enroll and attend a CMS school now.

Used when a family is residing with another family for issues other than those covered by McKinney Vento
Renewed yearly
Can be completed at the school

Before any student is assigned to attend Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), the parent, legal guardian or sponsor (legal guardianship or sponsorship requires additional documentation from a court or agency) must provide proof of legal residence in Mecklenburg County.

All Documents must be pre-printed with the name and Mecklenburg County address of the student's parent, legal guardian or sponsor and must be presented at the time of enrollment.

For Proof of Residency

Notarized Residency Affidavit form AND a copy of mortgage statement, deed or lease from homeowner/leaseholder affirming tenancy

AND

ONE (1) of the following documents must be shown:

Any ONE utility bill or work order dated within the past 30 days, including gas, water, electric, telephone, OR cable
Valid North Carolina Driver's License OR Valid North Carolina Identification Card
Dated within the past 30 days: Payroll Stub, Bank Statement OR Credit Card Statement
Current Vehicle Registration
Dated within the past year: Vehicle Tax Bill, Property Tax Bill, W-2 OR Medicaid Card

Downloadable Residency Affidavit Form

Residency Affidavit.pdf

Residency Affidavit (Spanish)

Frequently Asked Questions - Residency Appeal Process

What if I don't have the required proofs of residency when I enroll?

What if I don't have a lease and do not live with my landlord or a friend?

If you are a tenant at will ("month-to-month") and do not have a written lease, ask your landlord to complete and sign the residency affidavit -link available at the student placement office or any school. This will fulfill the proof of residency requirement for Column A. Your landlord does not have to be present when you enroll, but the affidavit does have to be notarized. If you are having difficulty obtaining all three proofs of residency, please gather all the residency documentation and visit the Student Placement Office to speak with a Student Placement Specialist about your situation.

What if I live with a friend or relative?

If you share housing with a friend or relative, you may use the residency affidavit (available at any school or the student placement office) to fulfill the proof of residency requirement in Column A. Ask your friend or relative to complete and sign the affidavit to affirm your residence. You or your friend or relative will have to provide proofs of residency from Columns B & C. Proofs from Columns B & C must be from the same person.

Electric - Duke Energy (800) 777-9898
Water - Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities (704) 336-2211
Gas - Piedmont Natural Gas (704) 525-3882
Cable - Time Warner (704) 377-9600

What if I live in temporary housing while I secure a home (corporate housing, extended stay facility or hotel) and will not have the required proof of residency?