§ 19-11-174.Jurisdiction to modify child support order
Chapter 11. Enforcement of Duty of Support · Article 3. Uniform Interstate Family Support Act · Part 6. Enforcement and Modification of Support Order After Registration · Last amended 2013 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-11-174
Plain-English Summary
This section covers child support orders issued by a foreign country rather than another U.S. state. Ordinarily, the country that issued an order is the place to change it. But if a foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its child support order under its own laws, a Georgia tribunal may assume jurisdiction to modify it.
When it does, the Georgia tribunal may bind all individuals subject to its personal jurisdiction. Two limits that normally apply to modifying another state’s order fall away. It doesn’t matter whether an individual gave the consent that § 19-11-170 would otherwise require, and it doesn’t matter whether the person seeking modification lives in Georgia or in the foreign country. An order a Georgia tribunal issues under this section, modifying a foreign child support order, is the controlling order.
One exception comes first: § 19-11-184.6, which governs Hague convention child support orders. Under that section, a Georgia tribunal may not modify a convention child support order while the obligee remains a resident of the issuing foreign country, unless the obligee submits to Georgia’s jurisdiction — expressly, or by defending on the merits without objecting to jurisdiction at the first available opportunity — or the foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order or issue a new one.
A foreign child support order not under the convention may be registered for modification under § 19-11-175. Section 19-11-110(b) also points here: Georgia’s ordinary long-arm bases can’t be used to modify a foreign support order unless this section’s requirements are met. The section was added in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Georgia court modify a child support order from another country?
It may if the foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its child support order under its laws. In that case a Georgia tribunal may assume jurisdiction to modify it and bind all individuals subject to its personal jurisdiction. Hague convention orders face an added limit in § 19-11-184.6.
Do I need the other parent’s consent to modify a foreign child support order in Georgia?
Not when this section applies. If the foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order, a Georgia tribunal may modify it and bind individuals subject to its personal jurisdiction whether or not the consent § 19-11-170 would otherwise require has been given.
Does it matter if I live in Georgia or the foreign country when seeking modification?
No, under this section. A Georgia tribunal that assumes jurisdiction because the foreign country lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction may modify the order whether the individual seeking modification is a resident of Georgia or of the foreign country. The other party must still be subject to the tribunal’s personal jurisdiction to be bound.
Which order controls after Georgia modifies a foreign child support order?
The Georgia order. An order issued by a Georgia tribunal modifying a foreign child support order under this section is the controlling order.
Can Georgia modify a Hague convention child support order if the other parent still lives in that country?
Generally not. Under § 19-11-184.6, a Georgia tribunal may not modify a convention child support order while the obligee remains a resident of the issuing foreign country, unless the obligee submits to Georgia’s jurisdiction — expressly, or by defending on the merits without objecting to jurisdiction at the first available opportunity — or the foreign tribunal lacks or refuses to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order or issue a new one.
Amendment History
Laws 2013, Act 224, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013.