Section 25-3.Action for Custody of Minor Child

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceThis section governs a stand-alone custody application: what it must state, that it is commenced by an order to show cause, and that it must be served at least twelve days before a hearing set no more than thirty-five days after filing.

Full Text of Section 25-3

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Every application in an action for custody of a minor child, other than actions for dissolution of marriage or civil union, legal separation or annulment, shall state the name and date of birth of such minor child or children, the names of the parents and legal guardian of such minor child or children, and the facts necessary to give the court jurisdiction. The application shall comply with Section 25-5. Such application shall be commenced by an order to show cause. Upon presentation of the application and an affidavit concerning children, the judicial authority shall cause an order to be issued requiring the adverse party or parties to appear on a day certain and show cause, if any there be, why the relief requested in the application should not be granted. The application, order and affidavit shall be served on the adverse party not less than twelve days before the date of the hearing or other court event, which shall not be more than thirty-five days from the filing of the application.

End

Amendment History

(P.B. 1998.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000; amended June 26, 2000, to take effect Jan. 1, 2001; amended June 26, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007; amended June 14, 2024, to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.)

Plain-English Summary

This section covers an action for custody of a minor child that is not part of a dissolution, legal separation or annulment. The application states the name and date of birth of each child, the names of the parents and legal guardian, and the facts necessary to give the court jurisdiction, and it must comply with the automatic orders section.

Such an application is commenced by an order to show cause rather than by an ordinary summons. On presentation of the application and an affidavit concerning children, the judicial authority issues an order requiring the adverse party to appear on a day certain and show cause why the relief should not be granted.

Two deadlines frame the hearing. The application, order and affidavit must be served on the adverse party not less than twelve days before the hearing or other court event, and that event must be no more than thirty-five days from the filing of the application. So a custody application moves quickly and on a fixed outer limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a custody case in Connecticut outside a divorce?

By filing an application stating the children’s names and dates of birth, the names of the parents and legal guardian, and the jurisdictional facts. The action is commenced by an order to show cause.

How soon is the custody hearing?

No more than thirty-five days from the filing of the application, and the papers must be served at least twelve days before that hearing or other court event.

What has to be filed with the application?

An affidavit concerning children, on which the judicial authority issues the order to show cause.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-3). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: Connecticut custody application procedurePractice Book section 25-3order to show cause custody CTcustody hearing thirty-five days Connecticutaffidavit concerning children CT