{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/20-88.92.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/20-88.92.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/20-88.92.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/20-88.92.html"}],"law_id":60717,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60717,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.92","catch_line":"Foreign support agreement","history":"2015, c. 727.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in subsections C and D, a tribunal of the Commonwealth shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in the Commonwealth.B\n\nAn application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by:1\n\nA complete text of the foreign support agreement; and2\n\nA record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an order of support in the issuing country.C\n\nA tribunal of the Commonwealth may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.D\n\nIn a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of the Commonwealth may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds that:1\n\nRecognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy;2\n\nThe agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;3\n\nThe agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in the Commonwealth, another state, or a foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in the Commonwealth; or4\n\nThe record submitted under subsection B lacks authenticity or integrity.E\n\nA proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":221956,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in subsections C and D, a tribunal of the Commonwealth shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":221957,"text":"An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":221958,"text":"A complete text of the foreign support agreement; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":221959,"text":"A record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an order of support in the issuing country.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":221960,"text":"A tribunal of the Commonwealth may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":221961,"text":"In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of the Commonwealth may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds that:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"6":{"id":221962,"text":"Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"7":{"id":221963,"text":"The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"8":{"id":221964,"text":"The agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in the Commonwealth, another state, or a foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in the Commonwealth; or","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"D4"},"9":{"id":221965,"text":"The record submitted under subsection B lacks authenticity or integrity.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"D4","prefix_anchor":"D4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"E"},"10":{"id":221966,"text":"A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14137,"edition_id":1,"name":"Support Proceeding Under Hague Convention","identifier":"13","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14136,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:59","permalink":{"id":178641,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14137,"identifier":"13","token":"20\/5.3\/13","url":"\/20\/5.3\/13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14136,"edition_id":1,"name":"Uniform Interstate Family Support Act","identifier":"5.3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12711,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:59","permalink":{"id":178595,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14136,"identifier":"5.3","token":"20\/5.3","url":"\/20\/5.3\/","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":82126,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.83","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/20-88.83\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.83","metadata":false},{"id":63851,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.84","catch_line":"Applicability","url":"\/20-88.84\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.84","metadata":false},{"id":55284,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.85","catch_line":"Relationship of Department of Social Services to United States central authority","url":"\/20-88.85\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.85","metadata":false},{"id":76442,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.86","catch_line":"Initiation by Department of Social Services of support proceeding under convention","url":"\/20-88.86\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.86","metadata":false},{"id":67675,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.87","catch_line":"Direct request","url":"\/20-88.87\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.87","metadata":false},{"id":58148,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.88","catch_line":"Registration of Convention support order","url":"\/20-88.88\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.88","metadata":false},{"id":72770,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.89","catch_line":"Contest of registered convention support order","url":"\/20-88.89\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.89","metadata":false},{"id":56389,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.90","catch_line":"Recognition and enforcement of registered convention support order","url":"\/20-88.90\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.90","metadata":false},{"id":83933,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.91","catch_line":"Partial enforcement","url":"\/20-88.91\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.91","metadata":false},{"id":60717,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.92","catch_line":"Foreign support agreement","url":"\/20-88.92\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.92","metadata":false},{"id":73784,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.93","catch_line":"Modification of Convention child support order","url":"\/20-88.93\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.93","metadata":false},{"id":63975,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.94","catch_line":"Personal information; limit on use","url":"\/20-88.94\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.94","metadata":false},{"id":82546,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.95","catch_line":"Record in original language; English translation","url":"\/20-88.95\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.95","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83933,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.91","catch_line":"Partial enforcement","url":"\/20-88.91\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.91","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":73784,"structure_id":14137,"section_number":"20-88.93","catch_line":"Modification of Convention child support order","url":"\/20-88.93\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.93","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-88.92\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2015. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 727<\/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":false,"permalink":{"id":178679,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60717,"identifier":"20-88.92","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.92","url":"\/20-88.92\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-88.92\/","token":"20\/5.3\/13\/20-88.92","dublin_core":{"Title":"Foreign support agreement","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-88.92","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in subsections C and D, a tribunal<\/span> of the Commonwealth shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement<\/span> registered in the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> An application<\/span> or direct request<\/span> for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement<\/span> must be accompanied by: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> A complete text of the foreign support agreement<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A record<\/span> stating that the foreign support agreement<\/span> is enforceable as an order<\/span> of support in the issuing country. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A tribunal<\/span> of the Commonwealth may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement<\/span> only if, acting on its own motion<\/span>, the tribunal<\/span> finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In a contest of a foreign support agreement<\/span>, a tribunal<\/span> of the Commonwealth may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds that: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The agreement was obtained by fraud<\/span> or falsification; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The agreement is incompatible with a support order<\/span> involving the same parties and having the same purpose in the Commonwealth, another state<\/span>, or a foreign country<\/span> if the support order<\/span> is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in the Commonwealth; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The record<\/span> submitted under subsection B lacks authenticity or integrity. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement<\/span> must be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal<\/span> of the agreement before a tribunal<\/span> of another state<\/span> or a foreign country<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFOREIGN SUPPORT AGREEMENT (\u00a7 20-88.92)\n\nA. Except as otherwise provided in subsections C and D, a tribunal of the\nCommonwealth shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered\nin the Commonwealth.\n\nB. An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign\nsupport agreement must be accompanied by:\n\n 1. A complete text of the foreign support agreement; and\n\n 2. A record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an\n order of support in the issuing country.\n\nC. A tribunal of the Commonwealth may vacate the registration of a foreign\nsupport agreement only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that\nrecognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.\n\nD. In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of the Commonwealth\nmay refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds that:\n\n 1. Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible\n with public policy;\n\n 2. The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;\n\n 3. The agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same\n parties and having the same purpose in the Commonwealth, another state, or a\n foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and\n enforcement under this chapter in the Commonwealth; or\n\n 4. The record submitted under subsection B lacks authenticity or integrity.\n\nE. A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement\nmust be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the\nagreement before a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.\n\nHISTORY: 2015, c. 727.","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}}