Utah courts follow the UCCJEA to decide which state has the authority to make or modify custody orders. Generally:

• Utah can register an out-of-state custody order if either parent or the child now lives in Utah.
• Utah can modify that order only if the original state no longer has jurisdiction or if that court declines jurisdiction in favor of Utah.
• If both parents remain in the original state, Utah cannot modify the order. It can only enforce it.

The UCCJEA aims to prevent conflicting custody orders between states and to keep the case in the state most connected to the child.

To register your out-of-state custody order in Utah, follow these steps:

After registration, the court must notify the other parent. The notice usually includes:

• A copy of the registered order
• A statement that the order will be confirmed unless the other parent contests it within a set deadline, often 20 days

You will need to provide a valid mailing address for the other parent.

If the other parent files an objection, the court will set a hearing. The contesting parent must show one of the following:

• The original court did not have jurisdiction
• The order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by another court
• The order has expired

If none apply, the Utah court will confirm the registration and the order becomes enforceable in Utah as if issued here.

Utah can modify the custody order only under limited circumstances:

• The original state no longer has a significant connection to the child or parties
• All parties have moved out of the original state
• The original state declines jurisdiction and allows Utah to proceed

If those conditions are met, Utah can address custody or parent-time using the same standards that apply to any Utah custody modification case.

Utah judges often coordinate directly with the issuing court to clarify jurisdiction and avoid duplicate cases. Courts may hold phone or video conferences to decide which state should proceed, keeping one clear home state for custody decisions.

Utah courts follow the UCCJEA to decide which state has the authority to make or modify custody orders. Generally:

• Utah can register an out-of-state custody order if either parent or the child now lives in Utah.
• Utah can modify that order only if the original state no longer has jurisdiction or if that court declines jurisdiction in favor of Utah.
• If both parents remain in the original state, Utah cannot modify the order. It can only enforce it.

The UCCJEA aims to prevent conflicting custody orders between states and to keep the case in the state most connected to the child.

To register your out-of-state custody order in Utah, follow these steps:

After registration, the court must notify the other parent. The notice usually includes:

• A copy of the registered order
• A statement that the order will be confirmed unless the other parent contests it within a set deadline, often 20 days

You will need to provide a valid mailing address for the other parent.

If the other parent files an objection, the court will set a hearing. The contesting parent must show one of the following:

• The original court did not have jurisdiction
• The order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by another court
• The order has expired

If none apply, the Utah court will confirm the registration and the order becomes enforceable in Utah as if issued here.

Utah can modify the custody order only under limited circumstances:

• The original state no longer has a significant connection to the child or parties
• All parties have moved out of the original state
• The original state declines jurisdiction and allows Utah to proceed

If those conditions are met, Utah can address custody or parent-time using the same standards that apply to any Utah custody modification case.

Utah judges often coordinate directly with the issuing court to clarify jurisdiction and avoid duplicate cases. Courts may hold phone or video conferences to decide which state should proceed, keeping one clear home state for custody decisions.