Criteria to Register an Out-of-State Custody Order

If you have custody orders from another state, and you move to Colorado, you can register those orders in Colorado. Once you register your orders in Colorado, you can ask a court in Colorado to enforce (or potentially change) those orders.

Before you ask a Colorado court to register your out-of-state custody orders, you will need to have two copies (including one certified copy) of the orders from the other state.

How to Start a Case

You should file your paperwork with the district court in the county where you live, or where the other parent lives. Use the courts locator to find the correct district court.

You and the other parent can file your case together, or you can file the case on your own. You decide if you want to file together or file on your own. The court cannot make this decision for you.

How to File Together with the Other Parent

You and the other parent will have the same "identities" as you did in the original out-of-state case. For example, if you were the "Petitioner" in the original case, you will be the "Petitioner" when you file these forms.

Note: If there is an emergency situation that requires immediate enforcement of a custody determination that was made in another state, review the instructions in JDF 1240 Register an Out-of-State Custody Order with Expedited Enforcement. If there is no emergency, review the instructions in JDF 1219 Instructions to Register a Child Custody Determination.

Forms and Paperwork Required

Use the forms link above to download and complete JDF 1000 Case Information Sheet, JDF 1224 Petition to Register a Foreign Child Custody Determination Pursuant to §14-13-305, C.R.S., and JDF 1225 Order Regarding Foreign Child Custody Determination.

Paperwork Tips

You will only fill out the top ("caption") part of JDF 1225 Order Regarding Foreign Child Custody Determination. The court will fill out the rest.

Both you and the other parent must complete the Verification section on the last page of the Petition, including the day, month, and year in which you are signing; the location where you are when you sign the document; and your printed name and signature.

How to Submit Paperwork to the Court

1. Take your completed forms to the clerk at the counter in the courthouse. Give the forms to the clerk to file your case. Either you or the other parent can drop off the forms at the court, and it is not necessary that you go together.
   • Remember: Give the two copies (including one certified copy) of the custody orders from the out-of-state case to the clerk along with your completed forms.
2. Pay the filing fee. If you do not think you can afford the filing fee, fill out form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit and JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees to request a waiver of the filing fee, or visit our File Without Payment section for complete information.
3. Complete any additional forms. The clerk might ask you to complete additional forms. Please follow the clerk's instructions.

How to File on Your Own

You and the other parent will have the same "identities" as you did in the original out-of-state case. For example, if you were the "Petitioner" in the original case, you will be the "Petitioner" when you file these forms.

Note: If there is an emergency situation that requires immediate enforcement of a custody determination that was made in another state, review the instructions in JDF 1240 Register an Out-of-State Custody Order with Expedited Enforcement. If there is no emergency, review the instructions in JDF 1219 Instructions to Register a Child Custody Determination.

Forms and Paperwork Required

Use the forms link above to download and fill out the following forms:

• JDF 1000 Case Information Sheet
• JDF 1224 Petition to Register a Foreign Child Custody Determination Pursuant to §14-13-305, C.R.S.
• JDF 1225 Order Regarding Foreign Child Custody Determination
• JDF 1226 Notice of Registration of Foreign Child Custody Determination Pursuant to §14-13-305, C.R.S.

Paperwork Tips

You will only fill out the top ("caption") part of JDF 1225 Order Regarding Foreign Child Custody Determination and JDF 1226 Notice of Registration of Foreign Child Custody Determination Pursuant to §14-13-305, C.R.S. The court will fill out the rest.

Both you and the other parent must complete the Verification section on the last page of the Petition, including the day, month, and year in which you are signing; the location where you are when you sign the document; and your printed name and signature.

How to Submit Paperwork to the Court

1. Take your completed forms to the clerk at the counter in the courthouse. Give the forms to the clerk to file your case. Either you or the other parent can drop off the forms at the court, and it is not necessary that you go together.
   • Remember: Give the two copies (including one certified copy) of the custody orders from the out-of-state case to the clerk along with your completed forms.
2. Pay the filing fee. If you do not think you can afford the filing fee, fill out form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit and JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees to request a waiver of the filing fee, or visit our File Without Payment section for complete information.
3. Complete any additional forms. The clerk might ask you to complete additional forms. Please follow the clerk's instructions.

What Happens Next?

After you file your forms with the court, the court will send a copy of JDF 1224 Petition to Register a Foreign Child Custody Determination Pursuant to §14-13-305, C.R.S. and a copy of JDF 1226 Notice of Registration of Foreign Child Custody Determination Purusant to §14-13-305, C.R.S to the other parent.