What UIFSA Is
The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) is a uniform law adopted by all 50 states that governs jurisdiction and enforcement of child support orders when parents live in different states. Before UIFSA, multiple states could issue competing orders creating confusion. UIFSA ensures only one state has "continuing, exclusive jurisdiction" over a child support order at a time — eliminating conflicting orders and clarifying which state's rules apply.
Which State Has Jurisdiction
The state that issues the original order retains continuing exclusive jurisdiction as long as one of the parties (either parent or the child) continues to live there. If all parties move away from the issuing state, jurisdiction can transfer to the state where the paying parent lives. For establishing a new order when parents live in different states, the initiating state (where the custodial parent lives) typically sends the request to the responding state (where the paying parent lives) to establish the order under that state's guidelines.
Registering an Out-of-State Order
If you have a support order from another state and you move, you can register the out-of-state order in your new state. Registration allows your new state's CSE agency and courts to enforce the order as if it were a local order. To register: contact your new state's CSE agency; provide a certified copy of the original order and payment history; and complete the registration process. Once registered, enforcement tools in your new state (wage garnishment, tax intercept, license suspension) can be applied against a paying parent in your state.
Enforcing Payment Across State Lines
When the paying parent lives in a different state, your local CSE agency contacts the other state's CSE agency through the federal interstate system. The other state's agency can then apply enforcement tools locally: income withholding at the paying parent's employer, state tax intercept, and other enforcement mechanisms. This process takes longer than in-state enforcement but is effective. Contact your local CSE agency and ask specifically about interstate enforcement.
Modifying an Interstate Order
Modifying an interstate order is more complex than modifying a single-state order. Generally: the state with continuing exclusive jurisdiction handles modification. If both parents have moved away from the issuing state, any state with personal jurisdiction over the paying parent can modify the order. Work with your local CSE agency and possibly a family law attorney — interstate modifications can be procedurally complex.
Working With Two State Agencies
Interstate cases involve coordination between two state CSE agencies. Your local (initiating state) agency sends requests to the other (responding state) agency. Response times can be slow — 2–6 months is common. Keep records of all communications, case numbers in both states, and every correspondence. If progress stalls, contact your federal OCSE regional office (acf.hhs.gov/css/contact-information/regional-program-managers) for assistance escalating the case.