California · Family Code

FAM §5700.710: (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d), a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this state.

What this law says, in plain English

A state tribunal must recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement that is registered in the state, unless subsections (c) or (d) provide otherwise.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d), a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this state. (b) An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by: (1) a complete text of the foreign support agreement; and (2) a record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an order of support in the issuing country. (c) A tribunal of this state 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) In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of this state may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds: (1) recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy; (2) the agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification; (3) the agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in this state, another state, or a foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this act in this state; or (4) the record submitted under subsection (b) lacks authenticity or integrity. (e) 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.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.