PrintIf you are moving out of state and you plan to leave your child behind, you do not need to get permission from anyone. But if you plan to take your child with you, most of the time you need to get permission from:
- your child's other parent, or
- the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court.
Moving to another state or country with your child is a "removal." Even if you stay in Massachusetts but you move so far away that it changes your child’s parenting time with the other parent, you need to get permission from the other parent or the court. See, What if I just want to move to another part of Massachusetts?
Note
If you already have court orders from a Massachusetts court, like a child support order, you need to take steps so the new state can enforce these orders.
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