Lawful Presence Verification

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Section 50-36-1) requires all applicants for a public benefit to verify their lawful presence in the United States before receiving the benefit. A Bright from the Start license is a public benefit issued to the owner of a child care facility each year. Therefore, the applicant’s eligibility must be verified before the annual license is issued.

Read the information below to determine the requirements for verification of lawful presence based on the type of ownership of your program :

• Your child care program(s) are owned by a sole proprietor, one person. (This includes family providers.)

  1. You are not required to submit verification of lawful presence this year, if you previously submitted and Bright from the Start confirmed verification of U.S. citizenship.

     You can pay your license fee beginning November 1, 2025. Click here for license fee information.

  2. You are required to submit an Affidavit for Lawful Presence Verification this year. If you previously submitted verification of lawful presence as a permanent legal resident or as a legal alien in the U.S. Bright from the Start will e-mail a notice and affidavit to you on November 1^st.

     Click here for more information.

• Your child care program(s) are owned by a corporation, unincorporated association, general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability company (LLC), or are board-sponsored..

  1. The owner, or a person acting on behalf of the owner, must affirm that the person who previously submitted verification of U.S. citizenship, remains the same or must indicate if this has changed.

     Bright from the Start e-mailed a notice to these programs on November 1, 2025. Please complete the Affirmation online at www.decalkoala.com on the License Fee page.

     You can pay license fee beginning November 1, 2025, after the Affirmation process is completed. Click here for license fee information.

  2. owner who previously submitted verification of lawful presence as a permanent legal resident of the U.S. or as a legal alien in the U.S., is required to submit an Affidavit for Lawful Presence Verification this year.

     Bright from the Start will e-mail a notice and Affidavit to these programs on November 1, .

• Your child care program(s) are owned by a government entity such as a municipality, county or state agency, university or college: you are not required to submit verification of lawful presence documents to Bright from the Start.

  You can pay your license fee beginning November 1, 2025. Click here for license fee information.

License fees are due December 1, 2025

You can pay your license fee after the verification of lawful presence is completed and eligibility is verified. Allow adequate time for your verification documents to be processed. You will be notified by e-mail when you can pay your license fee, which you can do online at www.decalkoala.com or by mail. You will receive your annual license after your license fee has been paid. Click here for license fee information.

Click here to identify the person(s) authorized to complete the Affidavit or Affirmation and for more information about completing the verification Affidavit or Affirmation process.

Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
License fees: contact feepayment@decal.ga.gov
Affidavit/Affirmation: contact CCSAffidavit@decal.ga.gov
Or call 404-657-5562

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