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Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300 (2026)

Initial child custody jurisdiction

✓ current as of July 2026
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Sec. 25.30.300. Initial child custody jurisdiction.
 (a) Except as otherwise provided in AS 25.30.330, a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if
     (1) this state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding;

     (2) this state 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;

     (3) a court of another state does not have jurisdiction under provisions substantially similar to (1) or (2) of this subsection, 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 provisions substantially similar to AS 25.30.360 or 25.30.370, and
          (A) 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; and

          (B) substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships;

     (4) all courts having jurisdiction under the criteria specified in (1) — (3) of this subsection 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 provisions substantially similar to AS 25.30.360 or 25.30.370; or

     (5) no court of another state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in (1) — (4) of this subsection.

 (b) The provisions of (a) of this section are the exclusive jurisdictional bases for making a child custody determination by a court of this state.

 (c) Physical presence of or personal jurisdiction over a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.




Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 2001–2025 · leading case: S.B. v. State, Dep't of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Fam. & Youth Servs., 61 P.3d 6 (Alaska 2002).
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S.B. v. State, Dep't of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Fam. & Youth Servs., 61 P.3d 6 (Alaska 2002). · cites it 12× “If the superior court's termination order did not modify a California child custody determination, we must then determine whether Alaska had jurisdiction to make an initial custody determination under AS 25.30.300. a. The superior court's order did not modify a California child…”
Norris v. Norris, 345 P.3d 924 (Alaska 2015). · cites it 14× “320," the provisions that gives a court jurisdiction.”
Jayda Roman v. Cleveland Karren, 461 P.3d 1252 (Alaska 2020). · cites it 7× “Jayda instead challenges the court’s jurisdiction to make the initial child custody determination, which we review under the relevant statute, AS 25.30.300. 16 AS 25.30.909(4); see also Atkins v.”
Atkins v. Vigil, 59 P.3d 255 (Alaska 2002). · cites it 4× “AS 25.30.300; 28 U.S.C. § 1738A(b)(4). 9 .”
Sherrill v. Sherrill, 373 P.3d 486 (Alaska 2016). · cites it 3× “§ 1738A(c); AS 25.30.300(a). The federal law authorizes jurisdiction only if state law allows it.”
Fox v. Grace, 435 P.3d 883 (Alaska 2018). · cites it 4× “Alaska has adopted and codified the UCCJEA in AS 25.30.300 -.910. Alaska Statute 25.30.”
Yelena R. v. George R., 326 P.3d 989 (Alaska 2014). · cites it 2× “See AS 25.30.300; MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 209B § 2 (not expressly adopting UCCJE, but using functionally identical language); Unif.”
Robertson v. Riplett, 194 P.3d 382 (Alaska 2008). · cites it 2× “320 provides in pertinent part: [A] court of this state may 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 AS 25.30.300(a)(1), (2), or (3) and (1) the court of the…”
E.H. v. State, Dep't of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Fam. & Youth Servs., 23 P.3d 1186 (Alaska 2001). · cites it 2× “330, a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if (1) this state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding; (2) this state was the home state of the child within six months before the…”
John v. Baker, 30 P.3d 68 (Alaska 2001). · cites it 2× “[37] See AS 25.30.300(a)(3) (under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Alaska courts may only exercise jurisdiction if a court of the child's home state declines jurisdiction because it recognizes Alaska as more appropriate forum); AS 25.”
Berry v. Coulman, 440 P.3d 264 (Alaska 2019). · cites it 3× “Alaska has codified the UCCJEA at AS 25.30.300 -.910. AS 25.30.300(a) states: "Except as otherwise provided in AS 25.”
Ronny M. v. Nanette H., 303 P.3d 392 (Alaska 2013). “AS 25.30.300(a). 19 . AS 25.30.909(7). 20 .”
Show all 28 citing cases →
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(3) — 1 case
Atkins v. Vigil, 59 P.3d 255 (Alaska 2002). “AS 25.30.300; 28 U.S.C. § 1738A(b)(4). 9 .”
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a) — 10 cases
S.B. v. State, Dep't of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Fam. & Youth Servs., 61 P.3d 6 (Alaska 2002). “If the superior court's termination order did not modify a California child custody determination, we must then determine whether Alaska had jurisdiction to make an initial custody determination under AS 25.30.300. a. The superior court's order did not modify a California child…”
Sherrill v. Sherrill, 373 P.3d 486 (Alaska 2016). “§ 1738A(c); AS 25.30.300(a). The federal law authorizes jurisdiction only if state law allows it.”
Ronny M. v. Nanette H., 303 P.3d 392 (Alaska 2013). “AS 25.30.300(a). 19 . AS 25.30.909(7). 20 .”
Berry v. Coulman, 440 P.3d 264 (Alaska 2019). “Alaska has codified the UCCJEA at AS 25.30.300 -.910. AS 25.30.300(a) states: "Except as otherwise provided in AS 25.”
Jayda Roman v. Cleveland Karren, 461 P.3d 1252 (Alaska 2020). “Jayda instead challenges the court’s jurisdiction to make the initial child custody determination, which we review under the relevant statute, AS 25.30.300. 16 AS 25.30.909(4); see also Atkins v.”
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a)(1) — 8 cases
S.B. v. State, Dep't of Health & Soc. Servs., Div. of Fam. & Youth Servs., 61 P.3d 6 (Alaska 2002). “If the superior court's termination order did not modify a California child custody determination, we must then determine whether Alaska had jurisdiction to make an initial custody determination under AS 25.30.300. a. The superior court's order did not modify a California child…”
Robertson v. Riplett, 194 P.3d 382 (Alaska 2008). “320 provides in pertinent part: [A] court of this state may 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 AS 25.30.300(a)(1), (2), or (3) and (1) the court of the…”
Fox v. Grace, 435 P.3d 883 (Alaska 2018). “Alaska has adopted and codified the UCCJEA in AS 25.30.300 -.910. Alaska Statute 25.30.”
Jayda Roman v. Cleveland Karren, 461 P.3d 1252 (Alaska 2020). “Jayda instead challenges the court’s jurisdiction to make the initial child custody determination, which we review under the relevant statute, AS 25.30.300. 16 AS 25.30.909(4); see also Atkins v.”
Norris v. Norris, 345 P.3d 924 (Alaska 2015). “320," the provisions that gives a court jurisdiction.”
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a)(2) — 7 cases
Norris v. Norris, 345 P.3d 924 (Alaska 2015). “320," the provisions that gives a court jurisdiction.”
Yelena R. v. George R., 326 P.3d 989 (Alaska 2014). “See AS 25.30.300; MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 209B § 2 (not expressly adopting UCCJE, but using functionally identical language); Unif.”
Jayda Roman v. Cleveland Karren, 461 P.3d 1252 (Alaska 2020). “Jayda instead challenges the court’s jurisdiction to make the initial child custody determination, which we review under the relevant statute, AS 25.30.300. 16 AS 25.30.909(4); see also Atkins v.”
Atkins v. Vigil, 59 P.3d 255 (Alaska 2002). “AS 25.30.300; 28 U.S.C. § 1738A(b)(4). 9 .”
Rice v. McDonald, 390 P.3d 1133 (Alaska 2017).
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a)(3) — 5 cases
John v. Baker, 30 P.3d 68 (Alaska 2001). “[37] See AS 25.30.300(a)(3) (under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Alaska courts may only exercise jurisdiction if a court of the child's home state declines jurisdiction because it recognizes Alaska as more appropriate forum); AS 25.”
Jayda Roman v. Cleveland Karren, 461 P.3d 1252 (Alaska 2020). “Jayda instead challenges the court’s jurisdiction to make the initial child custody determination, which we review under the relevant statute, AS 25.30.300. 16 AS 25.30.909(4); see also Atkins v.”
Katz v. Murphy, 165 P.3d 649 (Alaska 2007).
Mikesell v. Waterman, 197 P.3d 184 (Alaska 2008).
Dawn Maynor, f/k/a Dawn Golden v. Timothy B. Golden, 563 P.3d 1131 (Alaska 2025).
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a)(3)(A) — 1 case
Norris v. Norris, 345 P.3d 924 (Alaska 2015). “320," the provisions that gives a court jurisdiction.”
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a)(3)(B) — 1 case
Mikesell v. Waterman, 197 P.3d 184 (Alaska 2008).
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a)(4) — 2 cases
Norris v. Norris, 345 P.3d 924 (Alaska 2015). “320," the provisions that gives a court jurisdiction.”
Dawn Maynor, f/k/a Dawn Golden v. Timothy B. Golden, 563 P.3d 1131 (Alaska 2025).
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(a)(5) — 1 case
Dawn Maynor, f/k/a Dawn Golden v. Timothy B. Golden, 563 P.3d 1131 (Alaska 2025).
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(b) — 1 case
Dawn Maynor, f/k/a Dawn Golden v. Timothy B. Golden, 563 P.3d 1131 (Alaska 2025).
— Alaska Stat. § 25.30.300(c) — 1 case
Sherrill v. Sherrill, 373 P.3d 486 (Alaska 2016). “§ 1738A(c); AS 25.30.300(a). The federal law authorizes jurisdiction only if state law allows it.”
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