Modification to out of state child custody order
While modification of an out-of-state child custody order without the consent of the other party is generally not possible, under certain circumstances modification can be accomplished after registering the order in a tribunal of the state of California.
Registration of out of state child custody order
In order to register the out-of-state child custody order a petitioner must do all of the send all of the following to an appropriate tribunal of the state of California:
(1) A letter or other document requesting registration.
(2) Two copies, including one certified copy, of the determination sought to be registered, and a statement under penalty of perjury that to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person seeking registration, the order has not been modified.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3429, the name and address of the person seeking registration and any parent or person acting as a parent who has been awarded custody or visitation in the child custody determination sought to be registered.
Modification of out of state child custody order
In order modify the out-of-state child custody order in a tribunal in the state of California it is necessary to prove all of the following:
(1) This state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding, or was the home state of the child within six months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in this state.
(2) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under paragraph (1), or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the grounds that this state is the more appropriate forum under Section 3427 or 3428, and both of the following are true:
(A) The child and the child’s parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this state other than mere physical presence.
(B) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships.
(3) All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph (1) or (2) have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under Section 3427 or 3428.
(4) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(b) Subdivision (a) is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this state.
(c) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.
(d) The presence of a child in this state for the purpose of obtaining gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care, as defined by Section 16010.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, is sufficient to meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
See Fam Code § 3421 If these requirements can be proven then the petitioning party may seek a court order for modification on the same grounds as would generally be available to a party seeking to modify a child custody order which was originally issued in the state of California.
Required Notice to the opposing party
Before a child custody determination is made under this part, notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the standards of Section 3408 must be given to all persons entitled to notice under the law of this state as in child custody proceedings between residents of this state, any parent whose parental rights have not been previously terminated, and any person having physical custody of the child. See Fam Code § 3425
Required Notice to the court
In a child custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the child’s present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last five years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period. However, where there are allegations of domestic violence or child abuse, any addresses of the party alleging violence or abuse and of the child which are unknown to the other party are confidential and may not be disclosed in the pleading or affidavit. See Fam Code § 3429
If you have any questions regarding an out-of-state or foreign child custody order, contact Walker Law Corporation for a consultation.
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