How do I register a custody or support order from another state to make it enforceable in California?

To make a custody or support order from another state enforceable in California, you must register it with the appropriate California Superior Court. This process formally asks California to recognize and enforce the terms of your existing order. Here is how you register an out-of-state order: Step 1: Obtain Certified Copies of Your Order Contact the court clerk in the state and county that issued your original custody or support order. Request at least one certified copy of the order. A certified copy has an official stamp or seal from the court, proving it is a true and correct copy. Step 2: Complete the Correct California Forms You will need to fill out specific registration forms. For a child custody and visitation order, use Form FL-580, "Registration of Out-of-State Custody Order." For a support order, you will use forms like FL-570, "Registration of Out-of-State Support Order." You can find these forms on the official California Courts website. Step 3: File Your Documents with the Court File the completed registration form and your certified out-of-state order with the clerk of the Superior Court in the California county where the child lives or where enforcement is needed. You may have to pay a filing fee unless you obtain a fee waiver. Step 4: Serve the Other Party After filing, you must have another adult serve a copy of the filed registration documents on the other parent. The other parent has a specific time limit to object, typically 20 days after being served for a custody registration. If no objection is filed, the order is confirmed and becomes enforceable in California. Important Details and Nuances For support orders, your local child support agency (LCSA) can often manage the registration process for you at no cost. For custody orders, you are generally responsible for completing the process yourself or with the help of an attorney. The process for custody is governed by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), while support is governed by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). Warnings and Limitations Registering an order allows California to enforce it, but it does not automatically give California the power to modify (change) it. California generally cannot modify another state's child support order if any party or the child still lives in the issuing state. Similarly, California can only modify a custody order if it has jurisdiction, which usually requires the child to have lived in California for at least six months before the case is filed. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations, especially if you anticipate the other party will contest the registration or if you also want to modify the order, you should consult with a qualified California family law attorney.