JURISDICTION

Iowa Code tit. XV, ch. 598B, art. II

in effect

Iowa Code § 598B.201 Initial child-custody jurisdiction.

598B.201. Initial child-custody jurisdiction. 1. Except as otherwise provided in section 598B.204, a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child-custody determination only if any of the following applies: a. 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. b. A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under paragraph “a”, or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum under section 598B.207 or 598B.208 and both of the following apply: (1) 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. (2) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships. c. All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph “a” or “b” 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 598B.207 or 598B.208. d. No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in paragraph “a”, “b”, or “c”. 2. Subsection 1 is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child-custody determination by a court of this state. 3. Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child-custody determination. 99 Acts, ch 103, §13

Iowa Code § 598B.202 Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.

598B.202. Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction. 1. Except as otherwise provided in section 598B.204, a court of this state which has made a child-custody determination consistent with section 598B.201 or 598B.203 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until any of the following occurs: a. A court of this state determines that the child does not have, the child and one parent do not have, or the child and a person acting as a parent do not have a significant connection with this state and that substantial evidence is no longer available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships. b. A court of this state or a court of another state determines that the child, the child’s parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in this state. 2. A court of this state which has made a child-custody determination and does not have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under this section may modify that determination only if it has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under section 598B.201. 99 Acts, ch 103, §14

Iowa Code § 598B.203 Jurisdiction to modify determination.

598B.203. Jurisdiction to modify determination. Except as otherwise provided in section 598B.204, a court of this state shall not modify a child-custody determination made by a court of another state unless a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under section 598B.201, subsection 1, paragraph “a” or “b”, and either of the following applies: 1. The court of the other state determines it no longer has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under section 598B.202 or that a court of this state would be a more convenient forum under section 598B.207. 2. A court of this state or a court of the other state determines that the child, the child’s parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in the other state. 99 Acts, ch 103, §15

Iowa Code § 598B.204 Temporary emergency jurisdiction.

598B.204. Temporary emergency jurisdiction. 1. A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse. 2. If there is no previous child-custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this chapter and a child-custody proceeding has not been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203, a child-custody determination made under this section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203. If a child-custody proceeding has not been or is not commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203, a child-custody determination made under this section becomes a final determination, if it so provides and this state becomes the home state of the child. 3. If there is a previous child-custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this chapter, or a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203, any order issued by a court of this state under this section must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to allow the person seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203. The order issued in this state remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other state within the period specified or the period expires. 4. A court of this state which has been asked to make a child-custody determination under this section, upon being informed that a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child-custody determination has been made by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203, shall immediately communicate with the other court. A court of this state which is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to sections 598B.201 through 598B.203, upon being informed that a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child-custody determination has been made by, a court of another state under a statute similar to this section, shall immediately communicate with the court of that state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety of the parties and the child, and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order. 99 Acts, ch 103, §16; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §36

Iowa Code § 598B.205 Notice — opportunity to be heard — joinder.

598B.205. Notice — opportunity to be heard — joinder. 1. Before a child-custody determination is made under this chapter, notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the standards of section 598B.108 must be given to all persons entitled to notice under the law of this state as in child-custody proceedings between residents of this state, any parent whose parental rights have not been previously terminated, and any person having physical custody of the child. 2. This chapter does not govern the enforceability of a child-custody determination made without notice or an opportunity to be heard. 3. The obligation to join a party and the right to intervene as a party in a child-custody proceeding under this chapter are governed by the law of this state as in child-custody proceedings between residents of this state. 99 Acts, ch 103, §17

Iowa Code § 598B.206 Simultaneous proceedings.

598B.206. Simultaneous proceedings. 1. Except as otherwise provided in section 598B.204, a court of this state shall not exercise its jurisdiction under this article if, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this chapter, unless the proceeding has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this state is a more convenient forum under section 598B.207. 2. Except as otherwise provided in section 598B.204, a court of this state, before hearing a child-custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by the parties pursuant to section 598B.209. If the court determines that a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter, the court of this state shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state. If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter does not determine that the court of this state is a more appropriate forum, the court of this state shall dismiss the proceeding. 3. In a proceeding to modify a child-custody determination, a court of this state shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state. If a proceeding to enforce a child-custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may do any of the following: a. Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying, or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement. b. Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement. c. Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate. 99 Acts, ch 103, §18

Iowa Code § 598B.207 Inconvenient forum.

598B.207. Inconvenient forum. 1. A court of this state which has jurisdiction under this chapter to make a child-custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon motion of a party, the court’s own motion, or request of another court. 2. Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this state shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including all of the following: a. Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child. b. The length of time the child has resided outside this state. c. The distance between the court in this state and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction. d. The relative financial circumstances of the parties. e. Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction. f. The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child. g. The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence. h. The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation. 3. If a court of this state determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child-custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper. 4. A court of this state may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this chapter if a child-custody determination is incidental to an action for dissolution of marriage or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the dissolution of marriage or other proceeding. 99 Acts, ch 103, §19

Iowa Code § 598B.208 Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct.

598B.208. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct. 1. Except as otherwise provided in section 598B.204 or by any other law of this state, if a court of this state has jurisdiction under this chapter because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless any of the following applies: a. The parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction. b. A court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203 determines that this state is a more appropriate forum under section 598B.207. c. No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in sections 598B.201 through 598B.203. 2. If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection 1, it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child-custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under sections 598B.201 through 598B.203. 3. If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection 1, it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care expenses during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The court shall not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this state unless authorized by law other than this chapter. 99 Acts, ch 103, §20; 2000 Acts, ch 1058, §50

Iowa Code § 598B.209 Information to be submitted to court.

598B.209. Information to be submitted to court. 1. In a child-custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the child’s present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last five years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period. The pleading or affidavit must state whether the party has or knows all of the following: a. Has participated, as a party or a witness or in any other capacity, in any other proceeding concerning the custody of or visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the date of the child-custody determination, if any. b. Knows of any proceeding that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding. c. Knows the names and addresses of any person not a party to the proceeding who has physical custody of the child or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with, the child and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons. 2. If the information required by subsection 1 is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a party or its own motion, may stay the proceeding until the information is furnished. 3. If the declaration as to any of the items described in subsection 1, paragraphs “a” through “c”, is in the affirmative, the declarant shall give additional information under oath as required by the court. The court may examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and other matters pertinent to the court’s jurisdiction and the disposition of the case. 4. Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other state that could affect the current proceeding. 5. Upon a finding, which may be made ex parte, that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be unreasonably put at risk by the disclosure of identifying information, or if an existing order so provides, the court shall order that the address of the party or child or other identifying information not be disclosed in a pleading or other document filed in a proceeding under this chapter. 99 Acts, ch 103, §21

Iowa Code § 598B.210 Appearance of parties and child.

598B.210. Appearance of parties and child. 1. In a child-custody proceeding in this state, the court may order a party to the proceeding who is in this state to appear before the court in person with or without the child. The court may order any person who is in this state and who has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child. 2. If a party to a child-custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside this state, the court may order that a notice given pursuant to section 598B.108 include a statement directing the party to appear in person with or without the child and informing the party that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party. 3. The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section. 4. If a party to a child-custody proceeding who is outside this state is directed to appear under subsection 2 or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party so appearing and of the child. 99 Acts, ch 103, §22

Source: Iowa Legislature (legis.iowa.gov)URL: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=598B&year=2026Fetched: 10/20/2026