Va. Code » Title 20. Domestic Relations » Chapter 7.1. Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act » Article 2. Jurisdiction
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 20-146.14 (2026)

Jurisdiction to modify determination

✓ current as of May 2026
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Except as otherwise provided in § 20-146.15, a court of the Commonwealth may not modify a child custody determination made by a court of another state unless a court of the Commonwealth has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under subdivision A 1 or A 2 of § 20-146.12 and:

1. The court of the other state determines that it no longer has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under § 20-146.13 or that a court of the Commonwealth would be a more convenient forum under § 20-146.18; or

2. A court of the Commonwealth or a court of the other state determines that neither a parent of the child, nor the child, nor any person acting as a parent of the child presently resides in the other state.

1979, c. 229, § 20-137; 2001, c. 305; 2016, c. 179.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 2004–2016 · leading case: Melanie Lynn Rhodes v. Delmar Lang & Susan Lang, 791 S.E.2d 744 (Va. Ct. App. 2016).
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Melanie Lynn Rhodes v. Delmar Lang & Susan Lang, 791 S.E.2d 744 (Va. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “Pursuant to Code § 20-146.14, Virginia courts only have the authority to modify the Ohio visitation order.”
Prashad v. Copeland, 685 S.E.2d 199 (Va. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “A child custody determination can only be modified if the jurisdictional requirements of Article 2 are met, Code § 20-146.14, whereas a child custody determination can be registered under Article 3 regardless of whether the registering state has jurisdiction over any of the…”
Andrea S. Morrison v. Adam Morrison, 704 S.E.2d 617 (Va. Ct. App. 2011). “13 or § 20-146.14 determines that this Commonwealth is a more appropriate forum under § 20-146.”
Mark Bennett & Lisa Bennett v. Elizabeth Ann Bennett-Smith (Va. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “12 or § 20-146.14 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction as long as the child, the child’s parents, or any person acting as a parent continue to live in this Commonwealth.”
Cheryl Y. Parris v. Natasha Doctor & Harrivon S. Carpenter (Va. Ct. App. 2011). “12 or § 20-146.14 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction as long as the child, the child’s parents, or any person acting as a parent continue to live in this Commonwealth.”
Andrea S. Morrison v. Adam Morrison (Va. Ct. App. 2011). “13 or § 20-146.14 determines that this Commonwealth is a more appropriate forum under § 20-146.”
Thomas Lee Sowers v. Karen S. Walker (Va. Ct. App. 2011). “12 or § 20-146.14 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction as long as the child, the child’s parents, or any person acting as a parent continue to live in this Commonwealth.”
Foster v. Foster, 664 S.E.2d 525 (Va. Ct. App. 2008). “12 or § 20-146.14 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction as long as the child, the child’s parents, or any person acting as a parent continue to live in this Commonwealth.”
Andrea Catherine Williams Key v. James Darren Key, II (Va. Ct. App. 2004). “12 or § 20-146.14 has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction as long as the child, the child’s parents, or any person acting as a parent continue to live in this Commonwealth.”
Va. Code Ann. § 20-146.14(2): 1 case
Melanie Lynn Rhodes v. Delmar Lang & Susan Lang, 791 S.E.2d 744 (Va. Ct. App. 2016). “Pursuant to Code § 20-146.14, Virginia courts only have the authority to modify the Ohio visitation order.”
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