How Long Is a Caregiver Affidavit Valid in Massachusetts? Renewal and Expiration Rules

The Two-Year Maximum

Under M.G.L. c. 201F, Section 5, a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit is valid for the period written on the form, up to a maximum of two years from the date of execution. If the parent writes a longer period or leaves the end date blank, the affidavit automatically expires at the two-year mark.

There is no grace period. Once the affidavit expires, the caregiver has no legal authority to sign school forms, consent to medical treatment, or access the child's records. Schools and medical offices that discover an expired affidavit will stop accepting the caregiver's signature.

How to Renew

Massachusetts places no cap on the number of times an affidavit can be renewed. The process is straightforward: execute a brand-new affidavit before the current one expires. The same requirements apply each time — the parent signs, two non-caregiver adult witnesses observe, a notary acknowledges, and the caregiver signs the acknowledgment section.

Set a calendar reminder at least 30 days before expiration. That gives enough time to coordinate with the parent, find witnesses, and visit a notary. If the parent is incarcerated, factor in the facility's scheduling for notary access.

Once the new affidavit is signed, deliver copies to every entity that holds the old one — the school, pediatrician, dentist, MassHealth, and anyone else on your distribution list.

Automatic Termination

An affidavit also terminates before its written end date if:

• The child stops living with the caregiver (the statute requires co-residence)
• The parent delivers a written revocation to the caregiver
• The child's sole parent dies, ending the parental authority underlying the affidavit

If authority ends before the written end date, let each institution holding a copy know so it can update its records. For a written revocation, M.G.L. c. 201F requires the parent or caregiver to provide a copy to every entity that received the affidavit.

How Revocation Works

A parent can revoke the affidavit at any time, for any reason. The revocation must be in writing, signed, and dated. The parent delivers it to the caregiver, and then one or both of them must send the revocation to every school, doctor, insurer, and agency that has the original on file.

There is no court process for revocation — it is entirely between the parent, the caregiver, and the institutions.

Why a Distribution Log Matters

M.G.L. c. 201F, Section 5 requires that revocation notices reach every entity that received the affidavit. Without a log of who got a copy and when, meeting that requirement is guesswork. A distribution log tracks the institution name, the date a copy was delivered, and a contact person — so when it is time to renew or revoke, you know exactly who to notify.

The Massachusetts School and Medical Consent Guide includes an Affidavit Distribution Log and a Two-Year Renewal Tracker printable, both designed for exactly this purpose.

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