Key takeaways
Fill, sign, and submit TN ED-5379 from any browser — or have AI generate a custom version in seconds. No installs, no printing, no back-and-forth.
- The Religious Exemption to School Immunization Requirements (Tennessee Religious Exemption from Vaccination) allows opting out of vaccines for religious beliefs.
- Parents or legal guardians must sign for minors, while adult students sign for themselves to affirm their religious tenets.
- The document requires the student's name, address, and a signed declaration made under the penalty of perjury.
- Submit the completed exemption to the school prior to enrollment or upon the student's entry into the educational facility.
- Tennessee schools must keep a current immunization record or a valid religious exemption on file for every student.
- A religious exemption is distinct from a medical exemption, which requires a written statement from a healthcare professional.
What is TN ED-5379?
Tennessee Religious Exemption from Vaccination (Religious Exemption to School Immunization Requirements) is a document used to decline state-mandated immunizations for school attendance based on religious tenets. This written statement is authorized under Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-6-5001(b)(2) for students or guardians who adhere to a religion that forbids such medical procedures. By filing this document, individuals ensure their educational enrollment is processed in accordance with state laws regarding religious beliefs. It provides the legal basis for schools to waive standard immunization requirements.
The document requires several data points, including the child's name, the parent's contact information, and the specific state and zip code. To complete the vaccination exemption form, the applicant must mark the religious exemption checkbox and sign the declaration under penalty of perjury. This process is necessary for any student adhering to religious practices that prohibit vaccines who wishes to attend school. Educational institutions must maintain these records to ensure every enrolled student has either a current immunization certificate or a valid exemption on file.
Tennessee Department of Health
Who needs the TN ED-5379 — and who doesn't
Not everyone files TN ED-5379. The checklist below tells you whether it applies to your situation — and points you to the right alternative if it doesn't.
You need this TN ED-5379 if…
- You are a student or the parent of a minor student who adheres to a religion whose tenets and practices prohibit immunization.
- You intend to attend a school in Tennessee but wish to remain exempt from the state's mandatory vaccination requirements.
- You must submit a written statement to school authorities asserting that immunizations conflict with your religious beliefs.
You do not need this TN ED-5379 if…
- You do not belong to a religious organization or hold personal religious beliefs that forbid the use of vaccines.
- You are seeking an exemption based on medical contraindications and have a statement from a licensed physician.
- You have already received all vaccinations required by the Tennessee Department of Health for school attendance.
Why you need the TN ED-5379
Why people fill out TN ED-5379, and what tends to go wrong when they don't.
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Ensure School Entry This document provides the legal mechanism required under Tennessee law for students to attend school without mandated vaccinations when their religious tenets and practices forbid such medical requirements.
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Formal Religious Declaration By completing the specific fields for the child's identification and signing the declaration under penalty of perjury, you provide school administrators with a verified, written record of your religious exemption.
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Manage Records Digitally Use pdfFiller to fill, sign, and share the Tennessee Religious Exemption from Vaccination with school officials. The platform keeps your documents in secure encrypted storage, ensuring your family's data remains protected.
What each section of TN ED-5379 means
Every section explained — what it's asking, the records you'll need on hand, and the mistakes that most often cause a rejection or follow-up request.
| Child's Full Name | Enter the complete legal name of the student who is seeking an exemption from Tennessee school immunization requirements based on religious tenets and practices. |
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| Parent or Guardian Name | Provide the full legal name of the parent or legal guardian who is submitting the exemption request on behalf of the minor student. |
| Residential Street Address | Input the current street address where the student and their parent or guardian reside to maintain accurate school records and contact information. |
| Current State | Specify the state of residence, which is necessary to confirm the jurisdiction for the school immunization exemption being requested in Tennessee. |
| Postal Zip Code | Enter the five-digit zip code corresponding to the residential address provided to ensure the student's contact information is complete and accurate. |
| Religious Exemption Checkbox | Mark this checkbox to formally declare that the student is claiming a religious exemption from vaccinations required for school attendance in Tennessee. |
| Penalty of Perjury Declaration | This section contains a formal statement affirming that the information provided in the document is true and accurate, made under the penalty of perjury. |
| Required Filer Signature | The student or their parent or legal guardian must sign the document to certify the religious objection to the mandated school immunizations. |
How to fill out TN ED-5379 using pdfFiller
A walkthrough from the first field to the signature line. With your records in front of you, most people finish in under ten minutes.
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Open the editor Click Get Form to open Tennessee Religious Exemption from Vaccination in the pdfFiller editor to begin the process of documenting your religious beliefs for school attendance.
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Enter child's name Click the child's name field and type the full legal name of the student who is requesting the exemption from school immunization requirements in the state of Tennessee.
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Provide guardian information Click the field for the parent/legal guardian's name and type the name of the individual authorized to file the tennessee religious exemption form for the student.
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Fill in address Select the blank fields for the address, state, and zip code to provide the current residency information required for the school's health and immunization records.
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Check religious exemption Click the religious exemption checkbox to formally indicate that the student's religious tenets and practices forbid the administration of immunizations required for school entry or attendance.
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Sign the declaration Use the signature tool to add a legally binding e-signature to the vaccination exemption form, acknowledging the declaration made under penalty of perjury as the authorized signer.
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Save and share Click Done to save the document in your secure account. You can then download the finished PDF or share it with the school using a link or email.
Deadlines, key dates & penalties for TN ED-5379
When TN ED-5379 is due, what late filing actually costs, and how to request more time if you need it.
| Filing Deadline | The Religious Exemption to School Immunization Requirements must be submitted to the school prior to or at the time of the student's entry or attendance. |
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| Documentation Maintenance | Schools in Tennessee are required to keep a current immunization record or a valid exemption on file for every student enrolled in the school. |
Related content
The forms, guides, and worksheets most filers reach for alongside TN ED-5379.
Key terms used in TN ED-5379
A one-sentence glossary of the TN ED-5379 terms and concepts you'll see throughout this guide.
- Immunization
- The process of receiving vaccines to provide protection against specific diseases, often required for school attendance in Tennessee.
- Religious Exemption
- A legal provision allowing students to skip mandatory vaccines if immunization conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.
- Tenets and Practices
- The fundamental principles and religious observances of a faith that prohibit the acceptance of medical immunizations.
- Penalty of Perjury
- A legal declaration stating the information provided is true, with potential legal consequences for providing false or fraudulent statements.
- Parent/Legal Guardian
- The adult responsible for a minor student who is authorized to sign the exemption form on the student's behalf.
Frequently asked questions about TN ED-5379
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often about completing the TN ED-5379.
To obtain a religious exemption, you must submit a signed written statement to the school stating that vaccinations conflict with the tenets and practices of your religion. You can use pdfFiller to complete and sign this document electronically before sharing it with school administrators. This process ensures the school has the necessary records to allow attendance without mandatory immunizations.
The primary requirement is a written statement signed by the student or their parent or guardian asserting that the religious beliefs of the adherent prohibit immunization. The statement must include the child's name, the parent's contact information, and a declaration made under penalty of perjury. Using pdfFiller, you can easily fill out these fields and manage your records securely online.
Yes, a religious vaccine exemption is legally valid in Tennessee for students whose religious tenets and practices forbid immunization. This exemption allows students to attend school without providing proof of vaccination, provided the proper vaccination exemption form is filed. You can use pdfFiller to sign and send the completed form directly to school officials to ensure compliance with state regulations.
The religious exemption form must be signed by the student or the student's parent or legal guardian if the student is a minor. This signature serves as a formal declaration that the immunization requirements conflict with religious practices. With pdfFiller, you can add a legally binding e-signature to the document and download the finished PDF for your personal school records.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-6-5001(b)(2) is the legal authority that permits students to opt out of school immunization requirements based on religious grounds. It establishes that a signed statement of religious belief is sufficient to exempt a student from vaccinations required for school entry. This statute ensures that the religious freedoms of students and their families are respected within the education system.
A religious exemption is based on personal religious tenets, while a medical exemption requires a written statement from a physician or authorized practitioner detailing specific contraindications. Unlike the religious version, a medical exemption must specify the duration of the exemption and the particular vaccines involved. Both types of documents can be managed, edited, and stored securely using the pdfFiller platform.
