{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/20-146.29.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/20-146.29.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/20-146.29.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/20-146.29.html"}],"law_id":86219,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86219,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.29","catch_line":"Expedited enforcement of child custody; determination","history":"2001, c. 305.","full_text":"A\n\nA petition under this article must be verified. Certified copies of all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be attached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached instead of the original.B\n\nA petition for enforcement of a child custody determination must state:1\n\nWhether the court that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so, what the basis was;2\n\nWhether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this act and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;3\n\nWhether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;4\n\nThe present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known;5\n\nWhether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child and attorneys’ fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law-enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and6\n\nIf the child custody determination has been registered under § 20-146.26, the date and place of registration.C\n\nUpon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child. The hearing must be held on the next judicial day after service of the order unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of hearing at the request of the petitioner.D\n\nAn order issued under subsection C must state the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that at the hearing the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child and the payment of fees, costs, and expenses under \u00a7 20-146.33, and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the respondent appears and establishes that:1\n\nThe child custody determination has not been registered under § 20-146.26, and that:\n\t\t\t\ta. The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter;\n\t\t\t\tb. The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter;\n\t\t\t\tc. The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of § 20-146.7, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or2\n\nThe child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered under § 20-146.26, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":308831,"text":"A petition under this article must be verified. Certified copies of all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be attached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached instead of the original.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":308832,"text":"A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination must state:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":308833,"text":"Whether the court that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so, what the basis was;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":308834,"text":"Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this act and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":308835,"text":"Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":308836,"text":"The present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":308837,"text":"Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child and attorneys’ fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law-enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":308838,"text":"If the child custody determination has been registered under § 20-146.26, the date and place of registration.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"8":{"id":308839,"text":"Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child. The hearing must be held on the next judicial day after service of the order unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of hearing at the request of the petitioner.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":308840,"text":"An order issued under subsection C must state the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that at the hearing the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child and the payment of fees, costs, and expenses under \u00a7 20-146.33, and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the respondent appears and establishes that:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"10":{"id":308841,"text":"The child custody determination has not been registered under § 20-146.26, and that:\n\t\t\t\ta. The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter;\n\t\t\t\tb. The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter;\n\t\t\t\tc. The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of § 20-146.7, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"11":{"id":308842,"text":"The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered under § 20-146.26, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13406,"edition_id":1,"name":"Enforcement","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13273,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:50","permalink":{"id":179313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13406,"identifier":"3","token":"20\/7.1\/3","url":"\/20\/7.1\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13273,"edition_id":1,"name":"Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act","identifier":"7.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12711,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:33","permalink":{"id":179223,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13273,"identifier":"7.1","token":"20\/7.1","url":"\/20\/7.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12711,"edition_id":1,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":178075,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12711,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":63086,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.22","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/20-146.22\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.22","metadata":false},{"id":59321,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.23","catch_line":"Enforcement under Hague Convention","url":"\/20-146.23\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.23","metadata":false},{"id":60597,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.24","catch_line":"Duty to enforce","url":"\/20-146.24\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.24","metadata":false},{"id":69527,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.25","catch_line":"Temporary visitation","url":"\/20-146.25\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.25","metadata":false},{"id":56762,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.26","catch_line":"Registration of child custody determination","url":"\/20-146.26\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.26","metadata":false},{"id":66332,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.27","catch_line":"Enforcement of registered determination","url":"\/20-146.27\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.27","metadata":false},{"id":85878,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.28","catch_line":"Simultaneous proceedings","url":"\/20-146.28\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.28","metadata":false},{"id":86219,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.29","catch_line":"Expedited enforcement of child custody; determination","url":"\/20-146.29\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.29","metadata":false},{"id":69576,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.30","catch_line":"Service of petition and order","url":"\/20-146.30\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.30","metadata":false},{"id":73118,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.31","catch_line":"Hearing and order","url":"\/20-146.31\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.31","metadata":false},{"id":77444,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.32","catch_line":"Ex parte order to take physical custody of child","url":"\/20-146.32\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.32","metadata":false},{"id":59809,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.33","catch_line":"Costs, fees, and expenses","url":"\/20-146.33\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.33","metadata":false},{"id":54375,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.34","catch_line":"Recognition and enforcement","url":"\/20-146.34\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.34","metadata":false},{"id":67591,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.35","catch_line":"Appeals","url":"\/20-146.35\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.35","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":85878,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.28","catch_line":"Simultaneous proceedings","url":"\/20-146.28\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.28","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":69576,"structure_id":13406,"section_number":"20-146.30","catch_line":"Service of petition and order","url":"\/20-146.30\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.30","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-146.29\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2001. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 305<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":56827,"section_number":"20-146.12","catch_line":"Initial child custody jurisdiction","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-146.12\/"},{"id":56762,"section_number":"20-146.26","catch_line":"Registration of child custody determination","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-146.26\/"},{"id":59809,"section_number":"20-146.33","catch_line":"Costs, fees, and expenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-146.33\/"},{"id":56615,"section_number":"20-146.7","catch_line":"Notice to persons outside state","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-146.7\/"}],"permalink":{"id":179343,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86219,"identifier":"20-146.29","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.29","url":"\/20-146.29\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-146.29\/","token":"20\/7.1\/3\/20-146.29","dublin_core":{"Title":"Expedited enforcement of child custody; determination","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-146.29","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A petition<\/span> under this article must be verified. Certified copies of all orders<\/span> sought to be enforced and of any order<\/span> confirming registration must be attached to the petition<\/span>. A copy of a certified copy of an order<\/span> may be attached instead of the original. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A petition<\/span> for enforcement of a child custody<\/span> determination must state: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Whether the court<\/span> that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction<\/span> and, if so, what the basis was; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court<\/span> whose decision must be enforced under this act and, if so, identify the court<\/span>, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders<\/span>, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court<\/span>, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The present physical address of the child and the respondent<\/span>, if known; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody<\/span> of the child and attorneys’ fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law<\/span>-enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> If the child custody<\/span> determination has been registered under § 20-146.26<\/a>, the date and place of registration. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Upon the filing of a petition<\/span>, the court<\/span> shall issue<\/span> an order<\/span> directing the respondent<\/span> to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing<\/span> and may enter any order<\/span> necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child. The hearing<\/span> must be held on the next judicial day after service of the order<\/span> unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court<\/span> shall hold the hearing<\/span> on the first judicial day possible. The court<\/span> may extend the date of hearing<\/span> at the request of the petitioner<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> An order<\/span> issued under subsection C must state the time and place of the hearing<\/span> and advise the respondent<\/span> that at the hearing<\/span> the court<\/span> will order<\/span> that the petitioner<\/span> may take immediate physical custody<\/span> of the child and the payment of fees, costs, and expenses under \u00a7 20-146.33<\/a>, and may schedule a hearing<\/span> to determine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the respondent<\/span> appears and establishes that: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The child custody<\/span> determination has not been registered under § 20-146.26<\/a>, and that:\n\t\t\t\ta. The issuing court<\/span> did not have jurisdiction<\/span> under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12<\/a> et seq.) of this chapter;\n\t\t\t\tb. The child custody<\/span> determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court<\/span> having jurisdiction<\/span> to do so under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12<\/a> et seq.) of this chapter;\n\t\t\t\tc. The respondent<\/span> was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of § 20-146.7<\/a>, in the proceedings before the court<\/span> that issued the order<\/span> for which enforcement is sought; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The child custody<\/span> determination for which enforcement is sought was registered under § 20-146.26<\/a>, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court<\/span> of a state having jurisdiction<\/span> to do so under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12<\/a> et seq.) of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXPEDITED ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD CUSTODY; DETERMINATION (\u00a7 20-146.29)\n\nA. A petition under this article must be verified. Certified copies of all\norders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be\nattached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached\ninstead of the original.\n\nB. A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination must state:\n\n 1. Whether the court that issued the determination identified the\n jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so,\n what the basis was;\n\n 2. Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated,\n stayed, or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this act\n and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the\n proceeding;\n\n 3. Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current\n proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective\n orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the\n court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;\n\n 4. The present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known;\n\n 5. Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child\n and attorneys’ fees is sought, including a request for assistance from\n law-enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and\n\n 6. If the child custody determination has been registered under §\n 20-146.26, the date and place of registration.\n\nC. Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the\nrespondent to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may\nenter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child. The\nhearing must be held on the next judicial day after service of the order unless\nthat date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the\nfirst judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of hearing at the\nrequest of the petitioner.\n\nD. An order issued under subsection C must state the time and place of the\nhearing and advise the respondent that at the hearing the court will order that\nthe petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child and the payment\nof fees, costs, and expenses under \u00a7 20-146.33, and may schedule a hearing to\ndetermine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the respondent appears\nand establishes that:\n\n 1. The child custody determination has not been registered under §\n 20-146.26, and that:\n \t\t\t\ta. The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 (§\n 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter;\n \t\t\t\tb. The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has\n been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so\n under Article 2 (§ 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter;\n \t\t\t\tc. The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in\n accordance with the standards of § 20-146.7, in the proceedings before\n the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or\n\n 2. The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was\n registered under § 20-146.26, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified\n by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 (§\n 20-146.12 et seq.) of this chapter.\n\nHISTORY: 2001, c. 305.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}