Do Both Parents Need to Complete the FAFSA Form?

Not always — it depends on your family situation

No, both parents do not have to fill out the FAFSA. The form asks for information from the parent or parents who claim you as a dependent on their tax return. If your parents are married and file taxes jointly, one parent can complete the FAFSA and provide the household financial information. If your parents are divorced, separated, or unmarried, only the parent you live with most of the time (your custodial parent) fills it out — not both.

The key rule is that the FAFSA uses information from your custodial parent, which the U.S. Department of Education defines as the parent with whom you lived for more than half the year. If you lived equally with both parents, it is the parent who claimed you as a dependent on their most recent tax return. The non-custodial parent's information does not go on the form at all.

Key Takeaways

If your parents are married and file taxes together, only one parent needs to complete the FAFSA using your household's combined financial information.
If your parents are divorced or separated, only your custodial parent (the one you lived with most of the time) completes the FAFSA.
The non-custodial parent's income and assets do not appear on the FAFSA unless your school uses a separate CSS Profile form that asks for it.
Both parents may need to provide tax documents to the custodial parent so they can fill out the form accurately, even though only one parent submits it.

When you live with both parents equally

If you spend roughly equal time with both parents and they do not file taxes jointly, the FAFSA uses information from whichever parent claimed you as a dependent on their federal tax return for the year before you start college. That parent is your custodial parent for FAFSA purposes, even if you spend half your time with the other parent.

If both parents claimed you as a dependent (which is not allowed by the IRS, but sometimes happens), contact the Federal Student Aid office at 1-800-4-FED-AID to clarify which parent should complete the form. They can help you determine which parent's information should be used.

What happens with the non-custodial parent's information

The non-custodial parent's income, assets, and financial details do not go on the FAFSA. This is true even if that parent contributes money toward your education or has a high income. The federal government calculates your financial need using only your custodial parent's household information (and your own income and assets, if you have them).

However, some colleges use an additional form called the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. The CSS Profile may ask for non-custodial parent information. If your school requires it, you will receive instructions about how to provide that information. This is separate from the FAFSA itself.

How to complete the FAFSA if you have two parents

The custodial parent should create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID at studentaid.gov before starting the FAFSA. This ID is what they use to sign in and submit the form. You will also need your own FSA ID to sign the form electronically.

The custodial parent will need to gather tax documents: their own federal tax return, W-2s or 1099 forms, and information about any untaxed income or assets. If the other parent's information is needed to complete the household picture (for example, if they contribute to household expenses), the custodial parent should ask for those details, but the non-custodial parent does not sign or submit anything themselves.

Both you and your custodial parent must sign the FAFSA electronically using your FSA IDs. The non-custodial parent does not sign it.

What if your parents are married but file taxes separately

If your parents are married but file separate tax returns, the FAFSA still asks for information from both of them. The parent who claims you as a dependent is the one whose information goes on the form, but you may need to provide details about the other parent's income as well, depending on your school's requirements.

This situation is less common and can be complicated. If this applies to you, contact your school's financial aid office before filling out the FAFSA — they can tell you exactly what information you need to gather from each parent.

If you are unsure who your custodial parent is

Your custodial parent is the one you lived with for more than half of the 12 months before you start college. Count the actual days or months you spent at each parent's home. If it is genuinely equal, use the parent who claimed you on their most recent tax return.

If you are still uncertain, ask your parents which one claimed you as a dependent on last year's tax return. That is the clearest answer. If there is a custody agreement or court order, that document may also clarify which parent is considered custodial, though the IRS definition (who claimed you on taxes) is what the FAFSA uses.

What to do if your parents refuse to provide information

If your custodial parent will not help you complete the FAFSA, you have limited options. You cannot submit the form without a parent's information unless you are considered independent. Most students under 24 are considered dependent, which means a parent's financial information is required.

If you are in an unsafe situation or your parent is unwilling to cooperate, contact your school's financial aid office. They can discuss whether you might may have access to as an independent student or whether alternative documentation is possible. Each school handles these situations individually, and the financial aid office is the right place to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the non-custodial parent have to sign anything?

No. Only the custodial parent and the student sign the FAFSA. The non-custodial parent does not sign, submit, or officially participate in the form, even if they provide financial information to the custodial parent.

What if my parents are not married and never were?

The same rule applies: the parent you lived with most of the time is your custodial parent. If you lived equally with both, use the parent who claimed you on their tax return. Only that parent's information goes on the FAFSA.

Can my school ask for the non-custodial parent's information?

Yes, but not on the FAFSA itself. Some colleges use the CSS Profile or their own financial aid form, which may ask for non-custodial parent information. Your school will tell you if this is required. The FAFSA itself never asks for non-custodial parent details.

What if my custodial parent does not know their tax information?

They can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a copy of their tax return, or they can log into their IRS account at irs.gov. The FAFSA also has a tool that can pull tax information directly from the IRS if your parent authorizes it, which is faster than gathering documents manually.

Do I have to use the same custodial parent every year?

No. If your living situation changes, your custodial parent may change. Each year, use the parent you lived with most during that year. If this changes from year to year, you will use different parents' information on different FAFSA forms.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.