If your child attends a licensed child care centre or home child care agency in Ontario, the operator must have your child’s immunization record on file. Parents who choose a non-medical exemption must give the operator a sworn affidavit on the Ministry of Education’s form: the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief for Child, form 3042E, made under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
Because it is an affidavit, the form only counts once it is sworn or affirmed in front of a commissioner for taking affidavits or a notary public. This guide explains what the form says, how to fill it in and how to get it sworn quickly in Hamilton.
Please note: Crown Seal Notary witnesses and commissions the affidavit. We do not give medical advice or advice on whether to vaccinate. For health questions, speak with your health care provider or your local public health unit.
What is form 3042E?
Form 3042E is a one-page affidavit published by the Ontario Ministry of Education. In it, the parent states that immunization conflicts with their sincerely held religious or conscientious convictions, and that the affidavit is made to meet subsection 35(2) of Ontario Regulation 137/15, the general regulation under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
You can download the current version from Ontario’s Central Forms Repository: Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief for Child (3042E, PDF). A French version (3042F) is available on the same form page.
Child care form vs. school form
Ontario uses two different forms, and they are not interchangeable:
- Licensed child care: form 3042E under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. It is sworn before a commissioner and given to the child care provider, with any copy your public health unit asks for.
- School: the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (form 014-4897-64). Parents must also complete a vaccine education session with public health first, and the form is filed with public health.
A child care exemption does not carry over when your child starts school, so you will need the school form at that point.
How to fill in the form
- Parent’s name: your last name, then first name, exactly as on your photo ID.
- Child’s details: last name, first name and date of birth in yyyy/mm/dd format.
- Home address: unit, street number and name, city, province and postal code.
- Child care centre or home child care agency: the full name of the program your child attends.
- Leave the signature and the “Sworn or solemnly affirmed before me” section blank. These are completed at your appointment.
If you have more than one child in care, complete a separate form for each child.
Getting it sworn at Crown Seal Notary
Bring the printed, unsigned form and valid government-issued photo ID for the parent named on it. We confirm your identity, administer the oath or solemn affirmation, watch you sign, and complete the commissioner’s section with our signature and seal. It usually takes about 10 minutes.
- Where: 21 King St W, 5th floor, Hamilton, open 7 days a week, or a mobile visit to your home or workplace.
- Cost: $45 for the first document and $15 for each additional document at the same visit, so a second child’s form is $15.
- Language: the affidavit must be understood by the person swearing it. If English is not your first language, see our guide to commissioning with an interpreter.
After it is sworn
Give the sworn affidavit to your child care centre or home child care agency and keep a copy for your records. Some public health units also ask parents to send them a copy, so check your local public health unit’s instructions.
Quick answers
Can a family member witness it? No. It must be sworn before a commissioner for taking affidavits or a notary public.
Can I do it online? We offer online commissioning ($50) where it is permitted. Check first that your child care provider will accept a remotely commissioned affidavit.
Is there a Crown Seal template? No template is needed because the government form is required. Our form 3042E page has the official download link and a checklist.
Book an appointment or call or text 289-207-0851 to have your child care vaccine exemption affidavit sworn today.
