Section 5700.701.
Cal. Family Code - FAM § 5700.701.
in effectIn this chapter:
(1)
“Application” means a request under the Convention by an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority.
(2)
“Central authority” means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in Section 5700.102(5)(D) to perform the functions specified in the Convention.
(3)
“Convention support order” means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in Section 5700.102(5)(D).
(4)
“Direct request” means a petition filed by an individual in
a tribunal of this state in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States.
(5)
“Foreign central authority” means the entity designated by a foreign country described in Section 5700.102(5)(D) to perform the functions specified in the Convention.
(6)
“Foreign support agreement”:
(A)
means an agreement for support in a record that:
(i)
is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;
(ii)
has been:
(I)
formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign
tribunal; or
(II)
authenticated by, or concluded, registered, or filed with a foreign tribunal; and
(iii)
may be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and
(B)
includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the Convention.
(7)
“United States central authority” means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026