What paperwork is required to become a Special Olympics New Hampshire athlete?
Getting started (or staying up to date) with Special Olympics New Hampshire should feel simple. Use the guide below to find exactly what forms you need based on your situation.
Let’s Find the Right Forms for You 👇
Are you a Young Athlete (ages 2–7 with or without ID)?
- Young Athletes Program Application (completed every 3 years)
- Communicable Disease Waiver (completed once)
Are you 8 years or older?
I’m new to SONH OR I just turned 8
- Application for Participation (full application)
I’m a returning athlete (no major changes)
- Athlete Renewal Form (completed annually)
I’ve had a major medical or life change (examples: new diagnosis, surgery, significant health update)
- Application for Participation (full application again to update records)
I’m a returning athlete but have never completed the new full application (your previous application is still within its old 3-year validity)
- Application for Participation (full application — one time to transition into the new system)
Are you participating through a school in a SONH event?
- School Application for Participation (completed every 3 years)
- Communicable Disease Waiver (completed once)
Supplemental Forms (Only If Needed)
Most athletes will not need these. These are only required if specific conditions apply during the application process:
- Athlete Medical Form
→ Required if you answer “Yes” to:- A concussion within the past one month
- A doctor recommending limited participation unless clearance is provided
- Atlanto-Axial Instability (AAI) Special Release Form
→ Required only if a doctor identifies symptoms and provides clearance - Emergency Medical Care Refusal Form (Athlete or Guardian)
→ Required only if emergency medical care is declined for religious or other reasons - Medical Referral Form
→ Required only if an athlete is not cleared for participation and needs further medical evaluation
Transitioning to Our New Application Process
As part of a broader Special Olympics International application update, we’ve transitioned to a new athlete application designed to be simpler and more up to date.
Here’s what’s changed:
- New applications are valid for 1 year (instead of 3)
- A doctor’s signature is no longer required
- All new submissions must use the new application
So… which form should I complete?
- If you’ve already completed the new application once:
👉 Complete the Athlete Renewal Form each year after - If you have an older (3-year) application on file:
👉 You can continue using it until it expires
👉 Once it expires, complete the new full application - If you’ve never completed the new application:
👉 Complete the new full application first
👉 Then move to the annual renewal form each year after
What to Expect Over Time
Over the next couple of years, all athletes will naturally transition to the new system:
- Older applications will phase out as they expire
- All athletes will move to:
- One full application (once)
- A renewal form each year after
A Quick Way to Think About It
- New, turned 8, or never did the new application? → Full Application
- Major life/medical change? → Full Application
- Returning each year? → Renewal Form
- Young Athletes (2–7)? → Young Athletes Application (every 3 years)
- School-based participation? → School Application (every 3 years)
For Program Coordinators
Managing athlete paperwork during this transition may require a quick check to determine which application an athlete has on file.
How to check an athlete’s status:
- Log into Agon
- Navigate to People → Athletes
- Click the blue View Compliance Report button
- Check the Notes column, which indicates whether the athlete has a new or old application on file
What to look for:
- Old (3-year) application on file
→ Athlete should complete the new full application once it expires - New application on file
→ Athlete should complete the annual renewal form when it expires
Need Help?
Not sure which form applies to you? We’re happy to help—reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.