Free Massachusetts Child Care Authorization

The Child Care Authorization document is used to grant or allow another person or institution (a "Caretaker") temporary authority to care for or make certain decisions on behalf of your child(ren) in your absence. For example, you may need to provide notice to your child's teacher, school, or other organization so they know who to contact to pick up your child if they are unable to reach you. This document should only be used if you are providing an institution with a basic authorization in regards to who has authority to make decisions for your child in your unexpected absence.

If you are planning a vacation, weekend away or other event and plan to leave your child(ren) in the care of a loved one, grandparent or other caretaker you should use Rocket Lawyer's Power of Attorney for Child. The Power of Attorney for Child will give another individual full legal authority to make decisions for your minor child. This document grants care and control over your child for a set period of time. State laws vary but typically limit the length of a Power of Attorney for Child to six to nine months. If you need to grant authority for a longer period of time you should user Rocket Lawyer's Find a Lawyer search engine to locate an attorney to assist you in the guardianship process.

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Your contact information should be provided as part of the Child Care Authorization form including your residential address, home and mobile phone number, fax number (if you have one), and email address. Your contact information will allow the school to reach you quickly in case any questions arise.

The Letter to School provides notice to school officials regarding the identity of the Caretaker(s) and the scope of the authority granted to the Caretaker(s). It is important to understand that the Letter to School does not provide the grant of authority to the Caretaker(s). Rather, the Letter to School simply provides notice to the school officials of the temporary authority granted to the Caretaker(s). The Child Care Authorization document provides the authority to the Caretaker(s).

If the grant of authority may be terminated by the Parent(s) at any time, rather than on a certain date, the school should be notified as soon as possible after the Parent(s) terminate the Caretaker's authority.

1. The Child Care Authorization document should be signed, but it is not necessary that the signature be witnessed or notarized.
   

2. The Parent(s) or legal guardian should provide the original copy of the Authorization to the Caretaker(s) and keep one copy for their records.

The Child Care Authorization can be terminated by either or both of the Parents by notifying the Caretaker(s) about the termination. Generally this occurs when the Parent(s) return from their absence. However, it may also happen if the Parents wish to terminate the authority of the named Caretakers and grant authority to someone else. There is no requirement that the notification of termination to be in writing. In fact, verbal notification is generally effective. It is also important to notify the child(ren)'s school and any other party that may have been relying on the Child Care Authorization (such as a medical provider) as soon as possible after the termination.