Registering an Out-of-State Custody Order

Parents are sometimes involved in a custody dispute that involves more than one state. Another state might issue a child custody order, but the child and/or a parent is in Nevada. In that case, a parent can “register” or "domesticate" the other state’s custody order in Nevada. This page explains what to do if you have a child custody order from another state, but you want to register that order in Nevada so that the Nevada courts recognize that other state’s order.

About Registration

When parents get a child custody order in another state, they sometimes want the other state's order filed in Nevada just in case problems arise in Nevada later.  This is called "registration." This lets the Nevada courts know about the other order. 

Registering an order in Nevada usually does not transfer an entire case to Nevada.  A Nevada judge generally will not have the power to change the custody order, since the original state that made the order usually keeps that power.  Registration just means that a Nevada judge will be able to enforce the custody order if problems come up later (for instance, if the child is in Nevada and a parent will not turn over the child to the other parent). 

Understanding and litigating multi-state custody matters can be difficult to do on your own. If you are unsure what to do or what state to go to for help, it is always best to consult with an attorney. You can find information on locating legal help under Lawyers and Legal Help. 

Registering a Child Custody Order in Nevada

There are several steps required to register another state's custody order in Nevada. 

1. Fill Out the Paperwork
2. File the Paperwork
3. Serve the Other Parent
4. Wait and See What the Other Parent Does (and get the final order!)
5. Serve the Other Parent with the Final Order
6. Now What?

1. Fill Out the Paperwork

To have another state’s custody order registered in Nevada, you must fill out the following three forms:

Family Court Cover Sheet

This form asks for basic information about you, the other parent, and the children. You are designated as the same party that you were in the original case. For instance, if you were originally the Defendant in the other state's case, list yourself as the Defendant in this case also.

Family Court Cover Sheet (pdf)  Family Court Cover Sheet (pdf fillable) 
 

Petition for Registration of Out of State Child Custody Determination

This form tells the judge about the other state’s custody order. You must include the name of the court that issued the child custody order and the date the order was issued. You must also attach a certified copy of the other state’s order to this form.

Petition to Register Out-of-State Custody Order (pdf fillable)
 

Notice of Petition for Registration of Out of State Child Custody Determination

This form tells the other parent that you are asking the Nevada court to register the other state’s custody order. It also notifies the other parent that he or she only has 20 days to request a hearing if the parent wants to contest the registration. You must attach a copy of the Petition (above) to this form.

Notice of Petition to Register Out-of-State Custody Order (pdf fillable)

2. File the Paperwork

The fee to file these papers is $270. The fee is payable by cash, money order, or most major credit/debit cards. If you cannot afford the fee, please see Filing Fees and Waivers to find out how to ask the court to waive the fee.

There are three ways that court documents are filed:

1. Online: You can file online through the court's e-filing system, eFileNV. There is a fee of $3.50 to upload your documents, in addition to the regular filing fee. You must register for an account, you must provide a valid email address, and you must be able to scan and upload your documents as separate pdfs.  Do not upload one pdf with all of the forms included - this will significantly delay the processing.  Each form needs to be filed as its own pdf, but you can upload all of them in one submission.  Carefully follow the E-Filing Guide to avoid mistakes. 
   E-Filing Guide  Guía de Presentación Electrónica
   
   
2. In person at the Family Courthouse, 601 North Pecos Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89101.  In person filing is available Monday - Friday from 8am-4pm. 

3. By Mail: (mail takes about 6-8 weeks to process and is not suggested if you are under a deadline to file) Mail your forms and any filing fee (with check or money order made out to Clerk of Court) to:

   Family Courts and Services Center
   Attn: Clerk of Court
   601 North Pecos Road
   Las Vegas, NV 89101

3. Serve the Other Parent

After you file the papers, it is your responsibility to serve the other parent.  Mail a copy of the Notice of Petition (with the Petition and the other state’s court order attached) and send to the other parent by certified mail, return receipt requested. After mailing the documents, fill out the Certificate of Mailing to let the court know when and where you mailed the documents. File the Certificate of Mailing with the court.

Certificate of Mailing - Custody Registration (pdf fillable) 

4. Wait and See What the Other Parent Does

The other parent has 20 calendar days after being served to request a hearing to contest registration of the other state’s order.

If the other parent does not file anything:  Fill out the Order Regarding Registration. Check the first box in each section that says “THE COURT FINDS . . .” 

Order Regarding Registration (pdf fillable)

Next, submit the order to your assigned department so the judge can sign it. If you do not know what department your case was assigned to, you can look it up here: https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/Portal/. 

Email your proposed decree in a pdf format to your assigned judge.  Check the Department Letter assigned to your case and email it to the correct email below:

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The judge will review it and return it to you.  

If the other parent files a Request for Hearing:  You will receive a notice with the hearing date listed. Plan to attend the hearing. 

5. Serve the Other Parent with the Order

After the judge signs the Order Regarding Registration, you must make sure the other party receives a copy. First, complete a Notice of Entry of Order and attach a copy of the signed order. The date this form gets filed is the date that starts the timelines for anyone to appeal.

File the Notice of Entry of Order (with a copy of the order attached).  Be sure to fill out the Certificate of Mailing at the bottom, because you will have to mail a copy of this form to the other party after you file it.

Notice of Entry of Order (pdf fillable) 

After you file the form, make a copy of the Notice of Entry of Order (with a copy of the order attached) and mail it to the other parent. You can mail this by regular mail.  

Now What?

You now have a Nevada case with the other state’s court order on file. If the other state’s child custody order is not being followed, you can now ask the Nevada court to help enforce the order. Please visit Enforcing the Order to find out how to do this.