Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section applies the same procedure to a stand-alone visitation case: an application or verified petition commenced by an order to show cause, served at least twelve days before a hearing set no more than thirty-five days after filing.
Full Text of Section 25-4
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Every application or verified petition in an action for visitation 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. An application brought under this section shall comply with Section 25-5. Any application or verified petition brought under this Section shall be commenced by an order to show cause. Upon presentation of the application or verified petition 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 or verified petition should not be granted. The application or verified petition, 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 or verified petition.
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 13, 2014, to take effect Jan. 1, 2015; amended June 14, 2024, to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.)
Plain-English Summary
This section is the visitation counterpart of the custody section before it. An application or verified petition for visitation of a minor child, outside a dissolution, legal separation or annulment, 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.
It is commenced by an order to show cause. On presentation of the papers and an affidavit concerning children, the judicial authority orders the adverse party to appear on a day certain and show cause why the relief should not be granted.
The timing matches the custody rule: service not less than twelve days before the hearing or other court event, and that event no more than thirty-five days from the filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file for visitation in Connecticut?
By an application or verified petition stating the children’s names and dates of birth, the names of the parents and legal guardian, and the jurisdictional facts, commenced by an order to show cause.
How quickly is a visitation application heard?
The hearing or other court event is set no more than thirty-five days from filing, with service at least twelve days beforehand.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-4). 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 visitation applicationPractice Book section 25-4verified petition visitation CTgrandparent visitation procedure Connecticutorder to show cause visitation CT