Effective: April 11, 2005
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 185 - 125th General Assembly
(A) Except as otherwise provided in section 3127.18 of the Revised Code, a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial determination in a child custody proceeding only if one of the following applies:
(1) This state 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 months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in this state.
(2) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under division (A)(1) of this section or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the basis that this state is the more appropriate forum under section 3127.21 or 3127.22 of the Revised Code, or a similar statute of the other state, and both of the following are the case:
(a) The child and the child's parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this state other than mere physical presence.
(b) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships.
(3) All courts having jurisdiction under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under section 3127.21 or 3127.22 of the Revised Code or a similar statute enacted by another state.
(4) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
(B) Division (A) of this section is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this state.
(C) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.
Structure Ohio Revised Code
Title 31 | Domestic Relations-Children
Chapter 3127 | Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
Section 3127.01 | Definitions.
Section 3127.02 | Application of Chapter.
Section 3127.03 | Custody Proceeding Pertaining to Indian Child.
Section 3127.04 | Foreign Country Treated as State - Enforcement of Foreign Custody Determinations.
Section 3127.05 | Custody Determinations Under Chapter as Binding.
Section 3127.06 | Calendar Priorities.
Section 3127.07 | Notice and Proof of Service for Personal Jurisdiction Outside Ohio.
Section 3127.08 | Immunity to Personal Jurisdiction Regarding Unrelated Matter.
Section 3127.09 | Communication With Non-Ohio Court - Opportunity to Participate.
Section 3127.10 | Testimony of Out-of State Witnesses.
Section 3127.11 | Requests to or From Non-Ohio Court - Expenses - Forwarding of Copies.
Section 3127.15 | Jurisdictional Basis for Initial Custody Determination.
Section 3127.16 | Exclusive Continuing Jurisdiction Over Determination - Termination.
Section 3127.17 | Modification of Custody Determination of Non-Ohio Court.
Section 3127.18 | Temporary Emergency Jurisdiction - No Previous Custody Determination.
Section 3127.19 | Notice and Opportunity to Be Heard.
Section 3127.20 | Custody Proceeding Pending in Another State.
Section 3127.21 | Jurisdiction Declined - Forum Non Conveniens.
Section 3127.22 | Jurisdiction Declined - Unjustifiable Conduct - Remedy - Assessment of Expenses.
Section 3127.23 | Contents of Pleading or Affidavit.
Section 3127.24 | Order to Appear - Costs.
Section 3127.31 | Definitions - Petitioner and Respondent.
Section 3127.32 | Enforcement of Order for Return of Child Under Hague Convention.
Section 3127.33 | Recognition of Custody Determination of Non-Ohio Court.
Section 3127.34 | Temporary Enforcement Order by Court Lacking Jurisdiction to Modify Custody.
Section 3127.36 | Enforcement of Registered Custody Determination by Non-Ohio Court.
Section 3127.37 | Communication With Non-Ohio Court Where Modification Proceeding Pending.
Section 3127.38 | Petition for Enforcement of Custody Determination - Procedure - Order.
Section 3127.39 | Service of Petition and Order.
Section 3127.41 | Warrant to Take Physical Custody Where Imminent Danger of Harm or Removal.
Section 3127.42 | Award of Fees, Expenses and Costs to Prevailing Party.
Section 3127.43 | Full Faith and Credit to Orders Issued by Court of Another State.
Section 3127.44 | Appeal From Final Order.
Section 3127.45 | Actions to Locate, Obtain Return of Child, or Enforce Custody Determination.
Section 3127.46 | Authorized Enforcement Actions by Law Enforcement Officer.
Section 3127.47 | Assessment of Enforcement Expenses and Costs Against Losing Party.
Section 3127.51 | Construction of Chapter to Promote Uniformity.