How to Register an Out-of-State Custody Order in Texas

To register an out-of-state custody order in Texas, send the appropriate Texas court: (1) a request to register, (2) two copies of the order (one certified), (3) a sworn statement the order hasn’t been modified, and (4) names and addresses of the parties (with safety exceptions). The court serves notice; the other parent has 20 days to contest.¹

Moving to North Texas doesn’t erase an out-of-state custody order. But if you need a Dallas, Collin, Denton, or Tarrant County court to enforce it, registering the order is often the fastest path forward. This guide gives a file-ready checklist, a simple timeline, and what to do if privacy or safety is a concern.

Key facts you should know before you register an out-of-state custody order in Texas (Quick Table)

Risk markers (slow down and consider legal help):

• Address confidentiality or family-violence safety concerns³
• The order has been modified, stayed, or vacated (you must register the current controlling order)¹
• You want to change custody/visitation (Texas may not have jurisdiction to modify)²

Can I register my out-of-state custody order in Texas—and what does registration actually do?

Yes—Texas law allows a person requesting registration to register an out-of-state child custody order in a Texas court so Texas can enforce it.¹ Registration is not about re-litigating who should have custody. It is mainly about making the existing custody and visitation terms usable in a Texas court if enforcement becomes necessary.

Here’s what registration does (and doesn’t) do; for more detailed guidance on interstate child custody and the role of the UCCJEA, consult this Family Law Attorney Discusses UCCJEA in Interstate Child Custody resource:

• Does: Puts the order “on file” so Texas can use Texas enforcement tools if a parent won’t follow the schedule.¹²
• Does: Lets you register with or without filing an enforcement request at the same time.¹
• Does not: Automatically change the parenting schedule or “transfer custody” to Texas—modification has separate jurisdiction rules.²

Related Guide: Child Custody

Register only vs. register + enforce vs. try to modify (Decision Tree)

The right filing depends on whether you want Texas to recognize the order, enforce it, or change it.

What if I’m worried about sharing my address in the registration paperwork?

If sharing your address could put you or your child at risk, Texas law allows courts to limit or seal certain identifying information in appropriate safety situations.³ Because privacy and safety issues can affect what you file and what gets served, we recommend speaking with a lawyer before filing when family violence or stalking is involved.

A Personal Story from Attorney Migliaccio

Recently, I met with a parent who moved to Texas with an out-of-state custody order. They were facing a problem: the other parent stopped following visits. As we talked through options, I noticed they had only a copy and no proof it was current. This reminded me why registration matters so much. We worked together to get a certified copy, sign the “not modified” affidavit, and file the packet with the district clerk. What struck me most was the relief once the court served notice and the next steps were clear. Over my 20 years practicing law, I’ve learned that one missing document can delay a case for weeks. This case reinforced that details protect a child’s routine. Every situation is unique, but the principles remain constant. When families trust us with custody, we take it seriously. If you’re facing something similar, know that there’s always a clear path forward.

Do I also need to register child support, or is that a different process?

Child support registration is usually a different process from custody registration in Texas. Custody and visitation registration/enforcement is handled under the UCCJEA (Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act).¹ Child support registration/enforcement is typically handled under UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act).⁴ Even if both are in the same out-of-state decree, treat them as two separate “tracks.”

Related Guide: Child Support Modifications & Enforcements

Case Study – From “Paper Order” to Enforceable in North Texas (Outcome + Timeline)

When a parent relocated to North Texas with a valid out-of-state custody order, the other parent began refusing exchanges, turning what should have been an enforceable parenting schedule into a growing source of conflict and uncertainty.

Result (timeline metric): In that matter, registration was confirmed after the statutory contest window passed, and we were prepared to pursue Texas enforcement steps within about 40 days from filing (timing varies based on service and court calendars).¹

Case Study: Turning a “Paper Order” Into Enforceable Parenting Time in North Texas

Problem: A parent relocated to North Texas with a valid out-of-state possession schedule, but the other parent began refusing exchanges. They felt stuck—“I have an order, but no one here will enforce it”—and were worried more conflict would disrupt the child’s routine.

Action: We focused first on clean UCCJEA registration. We obtained the current controlling order, secured a certified copy, prepared the required sworn ‘not modified’ statement, and filed a complete registration packet with the district clerk so the court could serve notice and start the 20-day contest window.

Result: After the statutory contest period passed without a successful challenge, the registered order was confirmed. The client then had a clear pathway to pursue Texas enforcement tools, and we were positioned to move forward within about 40 days from filing (timing varies by service and court calendars).

Takeaway: If you need enforcement in Dallas, Collin, Denton, or Tarrant County, the fastest path is often a complete registration packet—missing certification or “not modified” paperwork can delay everything.

Strategy highlights:

• Filed a complete packet on day one (certified copy + sworn statement + correct parties/addresses).¹
• Prepared for a contest by organizing proof the order was current and properly issued.¹
• Kept custody registration separate from UIFSA child support work to avoid clerk delays.⁴

How do you register an out-of-state custody order in Texas? (Step-by-Step)

You register an out-of-state custody order in Texas by filing a short registration packet with the appropriate Texas court, then waiting through notice and the 20‑day contest window.

Step 1: Confirm you have the right order (final/current version)

You should register the current controlling custody order—meaning the most recent version that hasn’t been stayed, replaced, or vacated.¹ If the order has been modified, gather the newest version before filing.

Step 2: Get two copies (including one certified copy)

You need two copies of the custody order, and one must be certified.¹ A “certified copy” is a court-stamped copy from the issuing state’s clerk showing it is an official copy of the order.

Step 3: Build the “registration packet”

Your registration packet should match the statute’s checklist so the clerk can file it without a back-and-forth.¹

Registration packet checklist (snippet-ready):

• Request to register (letter or other document requesting registration)¹
• Two copies of the order (including one certified copy)¹
• Sworn statement (under penalty of perjury) that the order has not been modified¹
• Names and addresses of parents / persons acting as parents awarded custody or visitation (subject to safety exceptions)¹³

Tip: Texas Law Help publishes sample forms and plain-English instructions that many families use as a starting point.⁵

Step 4: Choose where to file in Texas (DFW-focused, statewide accurate)

You file the packet in the “appropriate court” in Texas.¹ In many situations, that means filing in the Texas county where the child lives or where enforcement will be sought, but facts and local practice matter.

DFW mini-guide: In Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant counties, a practical first step is calling or checking with the district clerk for filing location and local requirements (format, copies, e-filing rules).

Step 5: File the packet (E-file or in person) + fees/fee waiver

You may be able to file through Texas’s e-filing system or in person, depending on the county. Filing fees vary by county. If you cannot afford costs, ask about a fee waiver (sometimes called a statement of inability to afford payment of court costs).⁵

Step 6: Notice to the other parent + 20-day contest window

After filing, the clerk serves notice of the registration, and the person contesting registration must request a hearing within 20 days after service to challenge it.¹ If no timely request is filed, the registration can be confirmed.

Step 7: What happens after confirmation

If registration is confirmed, Texas can generally enforce the order using Texas enforcement tools, but Texas still can’t modify the order unless the UCCJEA’s modification rules are met.¹²

Registration timeline (high-level):

What Texas laws control registration, enforcement, and modification of out-of-state custody orders?

Texas Family Code Chapter 152 (the UCCJEA) sets the rules for registering and enforcing an out-of-state child custody determination in Texas.¹

• Tex. Fam. Code §§ 152.305–.306: Covers what you must file, what notice must include, the 20‑day contest rule, and what enforcement tools Texas can use after registration.¹²
• Tex. Fam. Code §§ 152.203–.204: Explains why Texas can’t automatically change another state’s order and when Texas may act in emergencies.²
• Tex. Fam. Code § 152.209: Addresses information requirements and supports limiting disclosure when safety is at risk.³
• Case law example: Texas courts have published decisions interpreting UCCJEA jurisdiction concepts like “home state,” including Powell v. Stover (Texas Supreme Court), which is often cited in jurisdiction disputes.⁶

Common mistakes we see when people try to register an out-of-state custody order in Texas

The most common problems we see are missing paperwork, misunderstanding what registration does, and mixing custody rules with child support rules.

• Myth: “Registration changes custody.”
  Reality: Registration mainly makes the order enforceable in Texas; changing the schedule is a separate process with strict jurisdiction limits.¹²
• Myth: “We can skip notice to the other parent.”
  Reality: Notice is built into the registration process, with limited safety-based exceptions and protections.¹³
• Myth: “Any copy works.”
  Reality: Texas requires two copies, including one certified copy.¹
• Myth: “Custody registration and child support registration are the same.”
  Reality: Custody/visitation uses UCCJEA rules; child support usually uses UIFSA rules.¹⁴
• Myth: “If they don’t contest, they can fight registration forever later.”
  Reality: Confirmation can limit later contests over issues that could have been raised during registration.¹

FAQs about registering an out-of-state custody order in Texas

Can I register an out-of-state custody order in Texas—and what does registration actually do?

To register out-of-state custody order in Texas, you file a UCCJEA registration packet so a court can treat your out-of-state order like a filed Texas order for enforcement. Registration makes the order enforceable in Texas as of the registration date.

Under Tex. Fam. Code § 152.305, a child custody determination from another state can be registered in Texas with or without a simultaneous request for enforcement, and the registering court must serve notice on the other parties. The notice explains the 20-day deadline to request a hearing to contest registration, and if no timely contest is filed, the registration is confirmed. Texas must recognize and enforce qualifying out-of-state custody and visitation orders under the UCCJEA, and Texas must accord full faith and credit to certain UCCJEA-consistent enforcement orders. Texas Statutes

• Registration does: put the “registered order” on file and unlock Texas enforcement tools for possession and access (visitation) and decision-making.
• Registration does not: change conservatorship or modify the schedule—modification has separate jurisdiction rules.

If you need enforcement in Dallas, Collin, Denton, or Tarrant County, confirm local e-filing and service requirements with the district clerk before you file.

What documents do I need to register an out-of-state custody order in Texas?

To register out-of-state custody order in Texas, file (1) a letter or document requesting registration, (2) two copies of the custody order (one certified), (3) a sworn “not modified” statement, and (4) the parties’ names and addresses (with safety exceptions).

Texas Family Code § 152.305(a) lists the required legal documents, and clerks commonly reject packets missing the certified copy or the sworn statement “under penalty of perjury.” A key nuance for custody and support: a “child custody determination” includes custody and visitation terms, but it does not include child support or other money obligations—support is typically handled under UIFSA even if it appears in the same decree. Texas Statutes Practical tip: register the current controlling order (including any later amendments) so the court isn’t comparing outdated versions during enforcement.

Common clerk-rejection triggers:

• Submitting only an uncertified printout (no certified copy).
• Leaving out later modification orders.
• Missing party addresses when no safety affidavit is provided.

If your order was modified, stayed, or vacated, get the most recent certified version first—fixing that after filing is where most delays happen.

Where do I file to register an out-of-state custody order in Texas (which county)?

In most cases, you register out-of-state custody order in Texas in the county where the child has lived for the last six consecutive months, because that county is usually the appropriate registering court for UCCJEA matters.

Texas defines the child’s “home state” as where the child lived with a parent (or person acting as a parent) for at least six consecutive months; if the child is under six months old, it’s the state where the child has lived since birth. Texas Statutes A Texas court’s initial custody jurisdiction is generally tied to that home-state concept (Tex. Fam. Code § 152.201), and the registration statute tells you to send the packet to the “appropriate court” in Texas (Tex. Fam. Code § 152.305).

DFW examples:

• Collin County child → Collin County district court.
• Dallas County child → Dallas County district court.
• Recent move across state lines → home state may still be the prior state for up to six months.

If the child’s residence history is messy or there’s a pending case in another state, consult a qualified family law attorney before filing—jurisdiction mistakes can cost months.

Can I register an out-of-state custody order in Texas without revealing my address if there’s family violence or stalking?

You can register out-of-state custody order in Texas even if disclosing your address could be unsafe. If you swear that revealing identifying information would jeopardize health, safety, or liberty, the court must seal that information and limit disclosure.

Texas requires names and addresses in the registration packet “except as otherwise provided” by Tex. Fam. Code § 152.209, and § 152.209(e) allows identifying information to be sealed and not disclosed unless a judge orders disclosure after a safety-focused hearing. Many families also use the Texas Address Confidentiality Program as an added layer of privacy in public records situations. Texas Attorney General

Practical steps that help:

• Put confidential details in a sworn affidavit that asks to be sealed (not in your cover letter).
• Ask the clerk how to file the sealed document in your county’s e-filing portal.
• Consider legal representation if you need protective orders or safety planning tied to exchanges.

If safety is a concern, get legal help before filing—privacy errors are hard to “unring” once served.

How much does it cost to register an out-of-state custody order in Texas—and can I waive the fees?

To register out-of-state custody order in Texas, you may pay county filing fees (often $150–$350) plus service costs. If you can’t afford fees, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs to request a waiver.

Filing fees vary by county (Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant can differ), and the total cost often depends on whether you register only or also file an enforcement request. Beyond the clerk’s filing fee, many parents pay e-filing service fees and personal service of notice. Texas courts provide a statewide “Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond” that you file to ask a judge to waive costs if paying would be a hardship. TexasLawHelp.org+1

Typical cost components to plan for:

• Filing fee to open the registration case.
• E-filing “service” or convenience fees (if required).
• Service of process / constable or process server fees.
• Certified copy fees charged by the issuing state.

Before you file, call the district clerk in your county to confirm the exact fee schedule and whether e-filing is mandatory for self-represented filers.

How long does it take to register an out-of-state custody order in Texas?

Register out-of-state custody order in Texas usually takes the clerk’s processing time plus service of notice and the mandatory 20-day contest window. If service is quick and no one contests, many cases finish in roughly 30–45 days.

Under Tex. Fam. Code § 152.305, once the required documents are received, the registering court files the order and serves notice on the parties. The notice must state that a hearing to contest the registration must be requested within 20 days after service, and if no timely request is made, the registration is confirmed as a matter of law. In real life, the biggest time-drivers are service delays (wrong address, evasive party) and clerk rejections (missing the certified copy, missing the “not modified” statement, or missing party address information).

Common timeline slow-downs:

• Service can’t be completed on the other parent.
• The order packet is incomplete (certification, “not modified” statement, addresses).
• The other parent contests and the court sets a hearing date.

If you need faster action because visits are being denied, talk to a local attorney about filing registration and enforcement together instead of waiting for problems to escalate.

What happens if the other parent contests the registration within 20 days?

When you register out-of-state custody order in Texas, the other parent has 20 days after service to request a hearing to contest. Challenges are limited: jurisdiction, the order was modified/vacated, or notice problems in the issuing state.

Texas Family Code § 152.305(d) requires the court to confirm the registered order unless the contesting parent proves one of the statute’s narrow grounds—most commonly that the issuing court lacked UCCJEA jurisdiction, that the order has been vacated/stayed/modified, or that the contesting parent was entitled to notice but did not receive proper notice in the original case. If the other parent does not contest on time, confirmation can preclude later challenges to matters that could have been raised at registration.

What to bring (or gather) before the hearing:
(For reference, you may want to review the basic costs and requirements of child support in Texas before you prepare your documents.)

• Certified copy of the current controlling order and any modification orders.
• Proof the order was properly issued (case caption, signatures, file stamp).
• Documents showing notice/service in the issuing state (if challenged).

If you expect a real jurisdiction fight, get legal representation early—interstate custody contests are procedural, and deadlines move fast.

Can Texas modify an out-of-state custody order after the child has lived here for six months—and what about emergencies?

If the child has lived in Texas for at least six consecutive months, Texas may have “home state” status and can sometimes modify an out-of-state custody order. But the UCCJEA limits modification, and emergencies are handled under temporary emergency jurisdiction.

Texas’s “home state” definition is tied to at least six consecutive months of living in the state (and “since birth” for infants under six months). Texas Statutes Home-state status supports initial jurisdiction (Tex. Fam. Code § 152.201), but modification of another state’s order is only allowed if the UCCJEA’s modification conditions are met (Tex. Fam. Code § 152.203). Registration alone does not give Texas power to modify, and Texas must enforce but “may not modify” a registered order except in accordance with Subchapter C (see Tex. Fam. Code § 152.306(b)).

Emergency exception: if a child is present in Texas and has been abandoned or is threatened with mistreatment or abuse, a Texas court can take temporary emergency jurisdiction.

If you want changes (not just enforcement), get advice before filing—choosing the wrong “track” is a common and expensive mistake.

Legal Authorities (Endnotes)

These are the primary legal authorities discussed in this guide.

1. Tex. Fam. Code §§ 152.305–.306 (UCCJEA: registration and enforcement of out-of-state child custody determinations).
2. Tex. Fam. Code §§ 152.203–.204 (UCCJEA: modification jurisdiction and temporary emergency jurisdiction).
3. Tex. Fam. Code § 152.209 (information requirements; safety-based limits on disclosure).
4. Tex. Fam. Code ch. 159 (UIFSA: interstate child support registration/enforcement framework).
5. Texas Law Help: “I want to register my custody orders from another state in Texas” (self-help steps and sample forms).
6. Powell v. Stover, 165 S.W.3d 322 (Tex. 2005) (UCCJEA jurisdiction discussion).

Talk With a North Texas Custody Attorney About Your Options

If you are facing questions about registering, enforcing, or modifying an out-of-state custody order in Dallas, Collin, Denton, or Tarrant County, speaking with an experienced attorney can help you move forward with clarity and confidence. At Warren & Migliaccio, our attorneys have assisted North Texas families with interstate custody matters since 2006, helping them understand their rights and the practical steps involved under Texas law. We offer free consultations to discuss your situation and outline your options so you can decide the best path for your family. To schedule a conversation with our team, call (888) 584-9614 or contact us online.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this article or contacting Warren & Migliaccio, L.L.P. does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past outcomes do not guarantee future results.