Kindergarten Registration in Illinois: Documents and Deadlines

Updated November 2026.

Most Illinois school districts open kindergarten registration in January, February or March for the following fall. To register, you usually need your child's birth certificate, proof that you live in the district, and later, health and immunization records. A child must be 5 on or before September 1 to start public kindergarten.

Each district sets its own dates and forms, so check your district website. Here is what to expect and how to get ready.

When registration opens

• Suburban districts: many open online registration between January and March. Some hold in-person registration days.
• Chicago Public Schools: you can enroll directly at your neighborhood school with proof of residency. Magnet, selective enrollment, dual language and other choice programs need a GoCPS application, which for 2027-28 closed on November 13, 2026. See our CPS kindergarten enrollment guide.
• Private schools: often accept applications in the fall or winter before.

Registering early helps districts plan classes and staffing, and some before and after school programs fill by spring.

Full-day kindergarten is coming everywhere

A 2023 Illinois law requires every school district to offer full-day kindergarten starting with the 2027-28 school year. Districts may still offer a half-day option too. A district that meets certain funding criteria can apply for a waiver of up to two more years. Many districts in the Chicago area already offer full-day classes. If yours does not, ask what will change for your child's year.

Documents to gather

Proof of age and identity

A certified copy of your child's birth certificate. Under Illinois law, schools must ask for it at enrollment, and you have 30 days to provide it. A passport may be accepted in some districts.

Proof of residency

Districts usually ask for one or two documents from a list, such as:

• A mortgage statement, property tax bill or signed lease
• A recent utility bill (gas, electric or water)
• A driver's license or state ID with your current address
• A vehicle registration or bank statement

If you are moving, living with relatives, or between homes, call the district. Students experiencing homelessness have the right to enroll right away under federal law.

Health and immunization forms

Illinois kindergarteners need a physical exam, up-to-date vaccines, an eye exam and a dental exam. Health exams and immunizations are usually due by October 15 or the first day of school, depending on the district. The dental exam is due by May 15 of the kindergarten year. Our Illinois kindergarten health requirements guide has the full list.

Other forms

• A home language survey
• Emergency contacts and authorized pickup list
• Custody papers, if they apply
• Records of special education services or an IEP, if your child has one
• Before and after school care registration, if offered

Kindergarten screening

Some districts invite new kindergarteners to a short screening in the spring or summer. It may include vision and hearing checks and simple play-based tasks, such as naming colors, counting, drawing a picture or hopping. Screening helps teachers plan support and balance classes. It is not a test your child can fail, and it does not decide whether your child can enroll.

If your child is younger than the cutoff, some districts offer an early-entrance assessment, usually in the spring. See our guide to the Illinois kindergarten age cutoff.

A simple registration checklist

1. Find your district's kindergarten page and note the registration window.
2. Order a certified birth certificate now if you do not have one.
3. Gather two proof-of-residency documents.
4. Book the pediatrician, eye doctor and dentist visits for spring or summer.
5. Ask about screening dates and kindergarten open houses.
6. Sign up for before and after school care if you need it. See before and after school care for kindergarteners.

Frequently asked questions

When does kindergarten registration open in Illinois?

Usually between January and March for the next school year. Check your district.

What documents do I need for kindergarten registration?

A certified birth certificate, proof of residency, and health and immunization records by the district's deadline.

Can I register my child if they turn 5 after September 1?

Not for public kindergarten in most cases. Some districts allow early entrance after an assessment.

Is kindergarten required in Illinois?

No. School attendance is required starting at age 6 by September 1. Bills to make kindergarten mandatory have been introduced but, as of November 2026, have not passed. Most families still enroll at age 5.

Getting ready for kindergarten at Children's Land

Our pre-K program for four and five-year-olds builds the skills children use in kindergarten, and our private kindergarten program offers a 1:10 teacher-child ratio and MAP testing twice a year. Find a location or contact us.

Related reading: Private vs Public Kindergarten in Illinois: How to Choose.