Wash. Rev. Code » Title 26 · Chapter 26.21A
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550 (2026)

Modification of child support order of another state

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) If RCW 26.21A.560 does not apply, upon petition a tribunal of this state may modify a child support order issued in another state which is registered in this state if, after notice and hearing the tribunal finds that:
(a) The following requirements are met:
(i) Neither the child, nor the obligee who is an individual, nor the obligor resides in the issuing state;
(ii) A petitioner who is a nonresident of this state seeks modification; and
(iii) The respondent is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state; or
(b) This state is the residence of the child, or a party who is an individual is subject to the personal jurisdiction of the tribunal of this state, and all of the parties who are individuals have filed consents in a record in the issuing tribunal for a tribunal of this state to modify the support order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.
(2) Modification of a registered child support order is subject to the same requirements, procedures, and defenses that apply to the modification of an order issued by a tribunal of this state and the order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner.
(3) A tribunal of this state may not modify any aspect of a child support order that may not be modified under the law of the issuing state, including the duration of the obligation of support. If two or more tribunals have issued child support orders for the same obligor and same child, the order that controls and must be so recognized under RCW 26.21A.130 establishes the aspects of the support order which are nonmodifiable.
(4) In a proceeding to modify a child support order, the law of the state that is determined to have issued the initial controlling order governs the duration of the obligation of support. The obligor's fulfillment of the duty of support established by that order precludes imposition of a further obligation of support by a tribunal of this state.
(5) On the issuance of an order by a tribunal of this state modifying a child support order issued in another state, the tribunal of this state becomes the tribunal having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction.
(6) Notwithstanding subsections (1) through (5) of this section and RCW 26.21A.100(2), a tribunal of this state retains jurisdiction to modify an order issued by a tribunal of this state if:
(a) One party resides in another state; and
(b) The other party resides outside the United States.
[ 2015 c 214 s 39; 2002 c 198 s 611.]

Notes:

Effective date—Conflict with federal requirements—Waiver—2015 c 214: See notes following RCW 26.21A.010.
Denial of waiver—2015 c 214: See note following RCW 26.21A.115.
Effective date—2002 c 198: See RCW 26.21A.900.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 2011–2020 · leading case: In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011).
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In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 14× “RCW 26.21A.550 defines two situations in which a Washington court may modify another state’s child support order: (1) .”
Christien Freeman v. Steven Wallace (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “"36 UIFSA merely limits a trial court's authority to modify another state's child support order, not its jurisdiction.”
Christine Crabtree v. Donald Clinton Crabtree (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “Thus, by steering Donald away from his ability argument and toward the arguments that it could actually consider, particularly given that Donald had only five minutes to make his argument, the trial court did not exhibit bias.”
In re the Marriage of Carol Marie (Almgren) Schneider & Jeffrey Joseph Almgren (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). “Based on RCW 26.21A.550(4), our Supreme Court held that the Washington court lacked the authority to modify the duration of child support.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550(1) — 1 case
Christien Freeman v. Steven Wallace (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “"36 UIFSA merely limits a trial court's authority to modify another state's child support order, not its jurisdiction.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550(3) — 1 case
In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 26.21A.550 defines two situations in which a Washington court may modify another state’s child support order: (1) .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550(4) — 2 cases
In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 26.21A.550 defines two situations in which a Washington court may modify another state’s child support order: (1) .”
In re the Marriage of Carol Marie (Almgren) Schneider & Jeffrey Joseph Almgren (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). “Based on RCW 26.21A.550(4), our Supreme Court held that the Washington court lacked the authority to modify the duration of child support.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550(l)(a) — 1 case
In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 26.21A.550 defines two situations in which a Washington court may modify another state’s child support order: (1) .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550(l)(a)(i) — 1 case
In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 26.21A.550 defines two situations in which a Washington court may modify another state’s child support order: (1) .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550(l)(a)(ii) — 1 case
In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 26.21A.550 defines two situations in which a Washington court may modify another state’s child support order: (1) .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.21A.550(l)(a)(iii) — 1 case
In re the Marriage of Schneider, 268 P.3d 215 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 26.21A.550 defines two situations in which a Washington court may modify another state’s child support order: (1) .”
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