Registering Foreign (Out-Of-State) Orders
What is a foreign order?
A foreign order is a court order issued by state court in the United States
other than Alaska, or a court of another country. For example, a child custody
order from California is a foreign order in Alaska.
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Why would I want to register it?
If you want the Alaska courts or Alaska police to take action here in Alaska
on the court order you have from another state, you generally must register
the foreign order in Alaska. Some people register a foreign order simply to
be able to enforce it; other people register a foreign order as the first step
in a modification procedure.
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When can I register an order?
Registration of a valid foreign court order for the purpose of enforcement
is allowed at any time, and is a fairly straightforward process. Registration
for the purpose of a modification is much more complicated because only a court
with jurisdiction can modify an order.
The laws controlling jurisdiction are
very complicated. If you have any questions at all, you are urged to seek the
advice of an attorney.
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How long does it take for the registration
to become effective?
The out-of-state order is registered when you file it with the Alaska court with the required attachments and pay the filing fee if there is one. Once the court has processed your packet, the clerk's office will serve the
documents on the other party. The other party has 20 calendar days from the
date they received the notice to request a hearing.
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Can the other parent oppose the registration of the order in Alaska?
Within 20 days of receiving the notice that the order is registered in Alaska, the other parent can request a hearing based on specific reasons provided in the forms (depending on whether the registered order is for custody or child support).
To request a hearing to oppose registration of an out-of-state custody order, you can file:
- Request for Hearing About Registered Child Custody Order, DR-484 [Fill-In PDF]
To request a hearing to oppose registration of an out-of-state child support order, you can file:
- Request for Hearing About Registered Support Order, DR-345 [Fill-In PDF]
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After an order is registered, can I modify
it?
If your original court order is from a state other than Alaska, you can only
modify it here IF Alaska has jurisdiction.
There are different jurisdiction laws for child support than child custody.
The laws controlling jurisdiction are complicated. If you have any questions
about whether the Alaska court can modify your child support order, talk to a lawyer.
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If Alaska has jurisdiction and I
want to modify another state’s child support order, what do I do?
You can file a Motion to Modify Another State’s Child Support Order. In No. 4 on the form below, you will need to state specifically the reason you think the reason the Alaska court has authority. Please see the modification information page to learn more.
To ask the court to modify another state’s child support order, you can file:
- Motion to Modify Another State's Child Support Order, DR-361 [Fill-In PDF]
- Copy of your current child support
- All documents that support your request for a change in the support amount
- Child Support Guidelines Affidavit, DR-305 [Fill-In PDF]
- Shared Custody Child Support Calculation, form DR-306 [Fill-In PDF] (fill out if both parents will have at least 110 overnights with the child(ren))
- Information Sheet, DR-314 [Fill-In PDF]
- Notice of Motion, DR-710 [Fill-In PDF]
- Certificate of Service for Motion to Modify Support Amount (see p. 9 of the Motion form)
There are different requirements to serve a motion to modify a registered order depending on if it is a registered child support or custody order.
If you are modifying a registered child support order, send a copy to the other party by regular first class mail.
If you are modifying both a registered child support order and a registered child custody order, send a copy of the modification papers to the other party by:
- certified mail/restricted delivery/return receipt , or
- hiring a process server.
If CSSD is collecting support:
If you are filing a motion to modify child custody and child support in court and the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) is collecting the support, you also need to also serve the Attorney General’s Office who are the attorneys for CSSD. Look at your CSSD case number to determine which office is handling your case:
| CSSD Case No. |
Attorney General's Address |
Case numbers that begin with a 1, 2 or 3 go to:
Example: 1JU-05-8888, , 2BE-05-8888, or 3AN-05-8888 |
Attorney General’s Office
Collections and Support Section
1031 West Fourth Ave., Ste 200
Anchorage, AK 99501 |
Case numbers that begin with a 4 go to:
Example: 4FA-05-8888 |
Attorney General’s Office
Collections and Support Section
100 Cushman St., Ste. 400
Fairbanks, AK 99701 |
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How do I respond to the other parent’s motion to modify another state’s child support order in Alaska?
To respond to the other parent’s motion to modify another state’s child support order, you can file:
- Response to Motion to Modify Another State's Child Support Order, DR-371 [Fill-In PDF]
- Child Support Guidelines Affidavit, DR-305 [Fill-In PDF]
- Shared Custody Child Support Calculation, form DR-306 [Fill-In PDF] (fill out if both parents will have at least 110 overnights with the child(ren))
- Information Sheet, DR-314 [Fill-In PDF]
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If Alaska has jurisdiction and I
want to modify child custody, what do I do?
To modify custody or support, you must file an appropriate motion. Please
see the modification information page to learn more.
There are different requirements to serve a motion to modify a registered order depending on if it is a registered child support or custody order.
If you are modifying a registered child custody order, send a copy to the other party by:
- certified mail/restricted delivery/return receipt , or
- hiring a process server.
If you are modifying both a registered child support order and a registered child custody order, send a copy of the modification papers to the other party by:
- certified mail/restricted delivery/return receipt , or
- hiring a process server.
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Are there different procedures for custody
orders than support orders?
Yes. There are specific forms for registering a foreign custody order and
for registering a foreign support order.
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Can I register both at the same time?
Yes. You simply complete both sets of forms and file them together.
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How much does it cost to register a foreign
order?
- foreign custody order and foreign support order together: $150
- foreign custody order alone: $150
- foreign child support and/or spousal support (alimony) order without a foreign custody order: FREE
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Do I need to get a special copy of the
court order I am trying to register?
Yes, you must obtain a certified or exemplified copy of the court order you
are trying to register by making a request to the Clerk's Office of the court
that issued the original order. If you are trying to register both the custody
and support orders, you must get a certified or exemplified copy of each one.
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What am I required to file with the court
to register a foreign order?
You must submit the following packet to the court at which you want to register:
- One certified or exemplified copy of the original order.
- One photocopy of the certified or exemplified original order.
- For Custody:
- Request to Register Child Custody Order of Another State or Country,
DR-482 [Fill-In PDF]
- Notice of Registration of Child Custody Order of Another State or Country,
DR-483 [Fill-In PDF]
(Completed except for the date and clerk's signature)
- Request for Hearing on Registered Child Custody Order, DR-484 [Fill-In PDF]
(Only fill in the Petitioner's and Respondent's names in the caption at the top left and leave the rest blank)
- Confirmation of Registered Child Custody Order, DR-485 [Fill-In PDF]
(Only fill in the Petitioner's and Respondent's names in the caption
at the top left and leave the rest blank)
- For Child Support:
- Instructions – Registration of Support Order Issued by Another State, DR-341 [Fill-In PDF]
- Petition to Register a Support Order from Another State, DR-342 [Fill-In PDF]
- Confidential Information Sheet - Support Order from Another State, DR-343 [Fill-In PDF]
- Notice of Registration of Another State's Support Order, DR-344 [Fill-In PDF]
(Completed except for the date and clerk's signature)
- Request for Hearing About Registered Child Support Order, DR-345 [Fill-In PDF]
(Only fill in the Petitioner's and Respondent's names in the caption at the top left and leave the rest blank)
- Confirmation of Registered Support Order, DR-347 [Fill-In PDF]
(Only fill in the Petitioner's and Respondent's names in the caption at the top left and leave the rest blank)
- You need to tell the court how you want it to deliver the documents to the opposing party by:
- 1st class US mail (which is free)
- certified mail (which you have to pay for), or
- a process server (which you have to arrange and pay for).
- 1st class US mail: Give the clerk at the court:
- the packet of forms to register a foreign order
- envelope(s) addressed to the opposing party
- a copy of all documents you are filling PLUS a Request for Hearing form for the opposing party
- Certified mail: Give the clerk at the court:
- the packet of forms to register a foreign order
- envelope(s) addressed to the opposing party
- a copy of all documents you are filling PLUS a Request for Hearing form for the opposing party
- the filled-out mailing forms for certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested from the Post Office for each of the parties listed in the certificate of distribution on the Notice of Registration Order. On the green card, fill out your return address so you get the green card back later.
- enough postage for the court to serve by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested.
- Before coming to court, it is your responsibility to go to the Post Office and get the forms for certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, and figure out how much it will cost to mail the forms by this method and put the stamps on the envelope. If you don't provide the correct stamped envelope, your paperwork may be rejected.
- Process server: Give the clerk:
- the packet of forms to register a foreign order
- service instructions for the specific process server you want the court to use. Read the instructions about "Personal Service By Process Server" in CIV-106
.
- The filing fee of $150 if you are registering BOTH a foreign child custody order and a
foreign child or spousal support order together, or ONLY a child custody order. If you cannot afford $150,
you can file a Request for Exemption for Payment of Fees, TF-920 . If you are registering
ONLY a foreign child support and/or spousal support (alimony) order, it is FREE.
- Case description form, CIV-125S
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Do I have to register a domestic violence protective order from another state?
You don't have to file special forms at the court to register the protective order from another state. But for the police to enforce the out-of-state protective order, you can bring a certified copy to the court for filing. There is no filing fee. The clerk will send a copy of the filed order to Alaska law enforcement who will enter it into their system. The court or the police will not give the respondent a copy of the protective order or notice that you have filed the order with the Alaska court.
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Rev. 8 April 2019
© Alaska Court System
www.courts.alaska.gov
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