{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/20-88.70.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/20-88.70.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/20-88.70.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/20-88.70.html"}],"law_id":353770,"edition_id":2,"section_id":353770,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.70","catch_line":"Notice of registration of order; contest of validity or enforcement","history":"1994, c. 673; 1997, cc. 797, 897; 2005, c. 754; 2015, c. 727.","full_text":"A\n\nWhen a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered, the registering tribunal of the Commonwealth shall notify the nonregistering party. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant information accompanying the order.\n\nB\n\nA notice shall inform the nonregistering party:\n\n1\n\nThat a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of the Commonwealth;\n\n2\n\nThat a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order shall be requested within 20 days after the notice unless the registered order is under § 20-88.89;\n\n3\n\nThat failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and\n\n4\n\nOf the amount of any alleged arrearages.\n\nC\n\nIf the registering party asserts that two or more orders are in effect, a notice shall also:\n\n1\n\nIdentify the two or more orders and the order alleged by the party to be the controlling order and the consolidated arrears, if any;\n\n2\n\nNotify the nonregistering party of the right to a determination of which is the controlling order;\n\n3\n\nState that the procedures provided in subsection B apply to the determination of which is the controlling order; and\n\n4\n\nState that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the order alleged to be the controlling order in a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the controlling order.\n\nD\n\nUpon registration of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the support enforcement agency or the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor’s employer pursuant to the income-withholding for support law of the Commonwealth.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1317909,"text":"When a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order is registered, the registering tribunal of the Commonwealth shall notify the nonregistering party. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant information accompanying the order.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1317910,"text":"A notice shall inform the nonregistering party:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1317911,"text":"That a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1317912,"text":"That a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order shall be requested within 20 days after the notice unless the registered order is under § 20-88.89;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1317913,"text":"That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":1317914,"text":"Of the amount of any alleged arrearages.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":1317915,"text":"If the registering party asserts that two or more orders are in effect, a notice shall also:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"C1"},"7":{"id":1317916,"text":"Identify the two or more orders and the order alleged by the party to be the controlling order and the consolidated arrears, if any;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"8":{"id":1317917,"text":"Notify the nonregistering party of the right to a determination of which is the controlling order;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"9":{"id":1317918,"text":"State that the procedures provided in subsection B apply to the determination of which is the controlling order; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"10":{"id":1317919,"text":"State that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the order alleged to be the controlling order in a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the controlling order.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"D"},"11":{"id":1317920,"text":"Upon registration of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the support enforcement agency or the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor’s employer pursuant to the income-withholding for support law of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50650,"edition_id":2,"name":"Enforcement and Modification of Support Order After Registration","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":8,"parent_id":50642,"metadata":{"child_laws":8,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:42","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:51","permalink":{"id":1405865,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50650,"identifier":"8","token":"20\/5.3\/8","url":"\/20\/5.3\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50642,"edition_id":2,"name":"Uniform Interstate Family Support Act","identifier":"5.3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":10,"parent_id":50619,"metadata":{"child_laws":77,"child_structures":13},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:37","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:50","permalink":{"id":1405597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50642,"identifier":"5.3","token":"20\/5.3","url":"\/20\/5.3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50619,"edition_id":2,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":56,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":329,"child_structures":36},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:08","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:49","permalink":{"id":1405077,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50619,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":353766,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.66","catch_line":"Registration of order for enforcement","url":"\/20-88.66\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.66","metadata":false},{"id":353767,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.67","catch_line":"Procedure to register order for enforcement","url":"\/20-88.67\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.67","metadata":false},{"id":353768,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.68","catch_line":"Effect of registration for enforcement","url":"\/20-88.68\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.68","metadata":false},{"id":353769,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.69","catch_line":"Choice of law; statute of limitations","url":"\/20-88.69\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.69","metadata":false},{"id":353770,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.70","catch_line":"Notice of registration of order; contest of validity or enforcement","url":"\/20-88.70\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.70","metadata":false},{"id":353771,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.71","catch_line":"Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered support order","url":"\/20-88.71\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.71","metadata":false},{"id":353772,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.72","catch_line":"Contest of registration or enforcement","url":"\/20-88.72\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.72","metadata":false},{"id":353773,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.73","catch_line":"Confirmed order","url":"\/20-88.73\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.73","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":353769,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.69","catch_line":"Choice of law; statute of limitations","url":"\/20-88.69\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.69","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":353771,"structure_id":50650,"section_number":"20-88.71","catch_line":"Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered support order","url":"\/20-88.71\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.71","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-88.70\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 673<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapters 797<\/a> and 897<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 754<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 727<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":353771,"section_number":"20-88.71","catch_line":"Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered support order","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-88.71\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":353792,"section_number":"20-88.89","catch_line":"Contest of registered convention support order","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-88.89\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1405883,"object_type":"law","relational_id":353770,"identifier":"20-88.70","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.70","url":"\/20-88.70\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-88.70\/","token":"20\/5.3\/8\/20-88.70","dublin_core":{"Title":"Notice of registration of order; contest of validity or enforcement","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-88.70","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> When a support order or income<\/span>-withholding order<\/span> issued in another state<\/span> or a foreign support order<\/span> is registered, the registering tribunal<\/span> of the Commonwealth shall notify the nonregistering party<\/span>. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant information accompanying the order. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A notice shall inform the nonregistering party<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> That a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> That a hearing<\/span> to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order shall be requested within 20 days after the notice unless the registered order is under § 20-88.89<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Of the amount of any alleged arrearages. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the registering party<\/span> asserts that two or more orders<\/span> are in effect, a notice shall also: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Identify the two or more orders<\/span> and the order alleged by the party<\/span> to be the controlling order and the consolidated arrears<\/span>, if any; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Notify the nonregistering party<\/span> of the right to a determination of which is the controlling order; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> State<\/span> that the procedures provided in subsection B apply to the determination of which is the controlling order; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> State<\/span> that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the order alleged to be the controlling order in a timely manner may result in confirmation that the order is the controlling order. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Upon registration of an income<\/span>-withholding order<\/span> for enforcement, the support enforcement agency<\/span> or the registering tribunal<\/span> shall notify the obligor<\/span>’s employer<\/span> pursuant to the income<\/span>-withholding for support law<\/span> of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNOTICE OF REGISTRATION OF ORDER; CONTEST OF VALIDITY OR ENFORCEMENT (\u00a7\n20-88.70)\n\nA. When a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a\nforeign support order is registered, the registering tribunal of the\nCommonwealth shall notify the nonregistering party. The notice shall be\naccompanied by a copy of the registered order and the documents and relevant\ninformation accompanying the order.\n\nB. A notice shall inform the nonregistering party:\n\n 1. That a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in\n the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of the Commonwealth;\n\n 2. That a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered\n order shall be requested within 20 days after the notice unless the registered\n order is under § 20-88.89;\n\n 3. That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order\n in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of\n the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that\n order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted; and\n\n 4. Of the amount of any alleged arrearages.\n\nC. If the registering party asserts that two or more orders are in effect, a\nnotice shall also:\n\n 1. Identify the two or more orders and the order alleged by the party to be\n the controlling order and the consolidated arrears, if any;\n\n 2. Notify the nonregistering party of the right to a determination of which is\n the controlling order;\n\n 3. State that the procedures provided in subsection B apply to the\n determination of which is the controlling order; and\n\n 4. State that failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the order\n alleged to be the controlling order in a timely manner may result in\n confirmation that the order is the controlling order.\n\nD. Upon registration of an income-withholding order for enforcement, the support\nenforcement agency or the registering tribunal shall notify the obligor’s\nemployer pursuant to the income-withholding for support law of the Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, c. 673; 1997, cc. 797, 897; 2005, c. 754; 2015, c. 727.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}