Indiana Code
Chapter 5. Jurisdiction
31-21-5-1. Jurisdiction Requirements

Sec. 1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in section 4 of this chapter, an Indiana court has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if one (1) of the following applies:
(1) Indiana is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding or was the home state of the child within six (6) months before the commencement of the proceeding, and the child is absent from Indiana but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in Indiana.
(2) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under subdivision (1) or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that Indiana is the more appropriate forum under section 8 or 9 of this chapter, and:
(A) the child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one (1) parent or person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with Indiana other than mere physical presence; and
(B) substantial evidence is available in Indiana concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships.
(3) All courts having jurisdiction under subdivision (1) or (2) have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that an Indiana court is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under section 8 or 9 of this chapter.
(4) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in subdivision (1), (2), or (3).
(b) The jurisdictional requirements described in this section provide the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by an Indiana court.
(c) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.
As added by P.L.138-2007, SEC.45.

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