Iowa Code » Chapter 598B — UNIFORM CHILD-CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 598B.201 (2026)

Initial child-custody jurisdiction

✓ current as of July 2026
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1. Except as otherwise provided in section 598B.204, a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child-custody determination only if any of the following applies: a. This state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding, or 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. b. A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under paragraph “a”, 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 section 598B.207 or 598B.208 and both of the following apply: (1) 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. (2) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships. c. All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph “a” or “b” 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 section 598B.207 or 598B.208. d. No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in paragraph “a”, “b”, or “c”. 2. Subsection 1 is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child-custody determination by a court of this state. 3. Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child-custody determination. 99 Acts, ch 103, §13 Referred to in §598B.202, 598B.203, 598B.204, 598B.208

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 44 cases (9 in the last 5 years), 2001–2026 · leading case: In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013).
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In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 35× “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
In the interest of E.D., 812 N.W.2d 712 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 12× “204 of the UCCJEA provides a temporary emergency jurisdictional ground in addition to the four alternative grounds for jurisdiction listed in section 598B.201 (l)(a)-(d). That section states in part: A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is…”
L.N.S. v. S.W.S., 854 N.W.2d 699 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 7× “6 When a child-custody determination has been registered in Iowa, it may only be modified in accordance with article II of the UCCJEA, which encompasses sections 598B.201 to .210, that is, Iowa’s jurisdictional and procedural requirements.”
White v. Harper, 807 N.W.2d 289 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 9× “203 provides, a court of this state shall 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 section 598B.201, subsection 1, paragraph “a” or “b”, and either of the…”
In Re Guardianship of Deal-Burch, 759 N.W.2d 341 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 10× “We look to section 598B.201 (1)(a) which provides in relevant part: 1.”
Bartsch v. Bartsch, 636 N.W.2d 3 (Iowa 2001). · cites it 4× “The court in Perry v. Ponder, 604 S.W.2d 306 (Tex.Civ.App.1980), explains the rationale of our ruling today: [A] family relationship may be among those matters concerning which the forum state may have such an interest that its courts may reasonably make an adjudication…”
Stauffer v. Temperle, 794 N.W.2d 317 (Iowa Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 11× “204, a court of this state which has made a child-custody determination consistent with section 598B.201 or 598B.203 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until any of the following occurs.”
In Re Jorgensen, 627 N.W.2d 550 (Iowa 2001). · cites it 2× “671 (1999) (codified at Iowa Code § 598B.201 (Supp.1999)).) Apart from this analysis, we think there is an additional reason to support our conclusion that the New York Supreme Court did not have subject matter jurisdiction to determine Isaiah's custody.”
In Re the Marriage of Hocker, 752 N.W.2d 447 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “2d at 901 ; see also Iowa Code § 598B.201. After reviewing the record and arguments of the parties on appeal, we are convinced the district court correctly declined to exercise jurisdiction in favor of Illinois.”
Kee v. Gilbert, 992 N.W.2d 486 (Neb. Ct. App. 2023). “See Iowa Code Ann. § 598B.201(3) (West 2020) (“[p]hysical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child-custody determi- nation”).”
In the Interest of R.A., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 16× “Following the hearing, the court entered a ruling finding it had the authority to make an “initial-child custody determination” under section 598B.201. The court reasoned, “Specifically, the child has resided in this State for at least six months, having arrived on January 1,…”
In re the Marriage of Del Real (Iowa Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 11× “§ 598B.201(1).1 Section 598B.201(1)(a) provides for “home state” jurisdiction.”
Show all 44 citing cases →
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(1) — 18 cases
In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
In Re Guardianship of Deal-Burch, 759 N.W.2d 341 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008). “We look to section 598B.201 (1)(a) which provides in relevant part: 1.”
In the interest of E.D., 812 N.W.2d 712 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012). “204 of the UCCJEA provides a temporary emergency jurisdictional ground in addition to the four alternative grounds for jurisdiction listed in section 598B.201 (l)(a)-(d). That section states in part: A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is…”
Stauffer v. Temperle, 794 N.W.2d 317 (Iowa Ct. App. 2010). “204, a court of this state which has made a child-custody determination consistent with section 598B.201 or 598B.203 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until any of the following occurs.”
In the Interest of L.H., J.H., C.H., & D.H., Minor Child. (Iowa Ct. App. 2019).
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(1)(a) — 16 cases
L.N.S. v. S.W.S., 854 N.W.2d 699 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “6 When a child-custody determination has been registered in Iowa, it may only be modified in accordance with article II of the UCCJEA, which encompasses sections 598B.201 to .210, that is, Iowa’s jurisdictional and procedural requirements.”
Tony Deiman v. Melissa Leppert (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
In Re the Matter of the Guardianship of A.L.G.B., Minor Child. R.g-b., V.g-b & R.g-b. (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
In Re the Marriage of Amanda Abd El Krim & Mohamed Khalil Amin Upon the Petition of Amanda Abd El Krim, & Concerning Mohamed Khalil Amin (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
In the Interest of R.A., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2019). “Following the hearing, the court entered a ruling finding it had the authority to make an “initial-child custody determination” under section 598B.201. The court reasoned, “Specifically, the child has resided in this State for at least six months, having arrived on January 1,…”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(1)(b) — 9 cases
White v. Harper, 807 N.W.2d 289 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011). “203 provides, a court of this state shall 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 section 598B.201, subsection 1, paragraph “a” or “b”, and either of the…”
In the Interest of D.L., E.L., & J.L., Minor Child. (Iowa Ct. App. 2019).
In re the Marriage of Del Real (Iowa Ct. App. 2020). “§ 598B.201(1).1 Section 598B.201(1)(a) provides for “home state” jurisdiction.”
In the Interest of B.C., Minor Child, B.C., Minor Child, S.C., Mother (Iowa Ct. App. 2015).
In the Interest of A.R., B.R., A.M., & R.T., Minor Child., S.R., Mother, S.R., Father (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(1)(b)(1) — 1 case
In the Interest of R.A., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2019). “Following the hearing, the court entered a ruling finding it had the authority to make an “initial-child custody determination” under section 598B.201. The court reasoned, “Specifically, the child has resided in this State for at least six months, having arrived on January 1,…”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(1)(b)(2) — 1 case
In the Interest of R.S. & D.S., Minor Child., A.C., Mother (Iowa Ct. App. 2015).
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(1)(c) — 1 case
In re the Marriage of Del Real (Iowa Ct. App. 2020). “§ 598B.201(1).1 Section 598B.201(1)(a) provides for “home state” jurisdiction.”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(1)(d) — 1 case
In the Interest of J.C., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2018).
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(2) — 9 cases
In Re Guardianship of Deal-Burch, 759 N.W.2d 341 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008). “We look to section 598B.201 (1)(a) which provides in relevant part: 1.”
In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
In the Interest of A.R., B.R., A.M., & R.T., Minor Child., S.R., Mother, S.R., Father (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
In the Interest of L.H., J.H., C.H., & D.H., Minor Child. (Iowa Ct. App. 2019).
In the Interest of R.A., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2019). “Following the hearing, the court entered a ruling finding it had the authority to make an “initial-child custody determination” under section 598B.201. The court reasoned, “Specifically, the child has resided in this State for at least six months, having arrived on January 1,…”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(3) — 3 cases
Bartsch v. Bartsch, 636 N.W.2d 3 (Iowa 2001). “The court in Perry v. Ponder, 604 S.W.2d 306 (Tex.Civ.App.1980), explains the rationale of our ruling today: [A] family relationship may be among those matters concerning which the forum state may have such an interest that its courts may reasonably make an adjudication…”
Kee v. Gilbert, 992 N.W.2d 486 (Neb. Ct. App. 2023). “See Iowa Code Ann. § 598B.201(3) (West 2020) (“[p]hysical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child-custody determi- nation”).”
R.N. v. J.C. ca4/2 (Cal. Ct. App. 2015).
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(c) — 1 case
In the Interest of H.C., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2026).
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(l)(a) — 3 cases
In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
In the interest of E.D., 812 N.W.2d 712 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012). “204 of the UCCJEA provides a temporary emergency jurisdictional ground in addition to the four alternative grounds for jurisdiction listed in section 598B.201 (l)(a)-(d). That section states in part: A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is…”
White v. Harper, 807 N.W.2d 289 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011). “203 provides, a court of this state shall 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 section 598B.201, subsection 1, paragraph “a” or “b”, and either of the…”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(l)(b) — 3 cases
In the interest of E.D., 812 N.W.2d 712 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012). “204 of the UCCJEA provides a temporary emergency jurisdictional ground in addition to the four alternative grounds for jurisdiction listed in section 598B.201 (l)(a)-(d). That section states in part: A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is…”
In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
White v. Harper, 807 N.W.2d 289 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011). “203 provides, a court of this state shall 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 section 598B.201, subsection 1, paragraph “a” or “b”, and either of the…”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(l)(b)(2) — 1 case
In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(l)(c) — 1 case
In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
— Iowa Code § 598B.201(l)(d) — 1 case
In the Interest of J.M., 832 N.W.2d 713 (Iowa Ct. App. 2013). “§ 598B.201 (l)(b)(l). Further, substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships was not available in Iowa.”
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