Relocation With Children in Washington State (Move-Away Cases)

Moving with a Parenting Plan Order

Few situations create more anxiety for parents than a possible move. A relocation can change school routines, parenting schedules, travel demands, and the everyday rhythm of a child’s life. Whether you are the parent hoping to relocate or the parent worried about losing time with your child, Washington’s relocation laws can feel overwhelming, especially when you see strict deadlines and mandatory notice rules.

Washington has clear procedures you must follow before moving a child’s residence. Some moves require formal notice and give the other parent a right to object. Other moves require notice but do not trigger a full court process. Understanding which rules apply is essential, because missing a step can lead to emergency hearings, contempt findings, or even a temporary loss of primary residential time.

This page answers the most common questions about relocation in Washington. It explains how notice works, when an objection is allowed, how courts decide relocation cases, what factors matter most, and what happens if the court approves or denies the move. These answers will help you evaluate your options and understand what Washington courts look for when a parent wants to move with a child.

➡ For more general information about child custody, see our page Child Custody and Father’s Rights in Washington

Myths & Misconceptions About Relocation in Washington

Myth: “A parent cannot move if the other parent objects.”

Objection does not automatically stop a move. Washington law creates a presumption that a parent with the majority of residential time will be allowed to relocate with the child. The burden rests on the objecting parent to show that the move would cause specific harm to the child that goes beyond the normal challenges of long-distance parenting. Courts look for concrete, child-centered evidence, and the objecting parent must meet this higher standard to successfully block the relocation.

Myth: “If the move is within the same school district, I don’t have to give notice.”

Notice is still required. The format is different, but parents with majority or substantially equal time must inform the other parent of any move. Missing notice deadlines can lead to contempt, travel restrictions, or court sanctions. An attorney can help you avoid accidental violations.

Myth: “If the other parent files an objection, I definitely cannot move.”

An objection does not block the move by itself. It simply starts the court’s review process. Washington law still presumes the relocating parent may move with the child if they have the majority of residential time. The objecting parent must prove that the relocation would create specific harm to the child that goes beyond the ordinary challenges of long-distance parenting. A well prepared relocation proposal can still succeed even when the other parent objects, and experienced legal help can make a meaningful difference in how the court views the case.

Myth: “I can move first and deal with the parenting plan later.”

Moving without proper notice is a violation of the parenting plan. Judges can order the child returned, impose penalties, or limit the relocating parent’s time. Before making plans, speak with an attorney so you do not unintentionally harm your case.

Myth: “Travel costs always fall on the parent who moves.”

Courts can divide costs, shift them based on income, or adjust child support. There is no automatic rule. Judges focus on what is fair for the child and practical for both parents. A lawyer can help frame your request so the court sees the full picture.

Myth: “Relocation cases are just like modifying a parenting plan.”

Relocation follows its own statute, its own procedure, and its own timeline. The analysis is different from a typical modification case. Mistaking one process for the other can destroy an otherwise strong relocation argument.

Myth: “If my ex moves out of state without notice, nothing can be done.”

Unauthorized relocation is serious. Courts can order immediate return of the child, suspend the relocating parent’s time, or hold them in contempt. These cases move fast and require quick legal action to protect your rights.

Myth: “The court will favor the parent who wants to move because change is inevitable.”

Not true. Although Washington law presumes that a parent with the majority of residential time may relocate, the objecting parent can still win. Success depends on showing, with specific evidence, how the move would harm the child in ways that go beyond the ordinary challenges of distance. Courts look closely at involvement, school stability, support networks, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs. When the objection is well prepared and supported by strong documentation, judges do block relocations. A carefully crafted objection from an experienced attorney can shift the outcome in close cases.

Myth: “Judges prefer to keep children with the mother in relocation cases.”

Washington law is gender-neutral. What matters is past caregiving, parental involvement, stability, and the relocation factors. Many fathers succeed in relocation cases when they have a strong factual foundation and proper legal guidance.

Myth: “I do not need a lawyer because relocation is simple if I follow the notice rules.”

Relocation is one of the most technical areas of Washington family law. Notice is only the first step. Strategy, timing, declarations, and statutory arguments all matter. Parents who try to handle relocation alone often lose the case before it fully begins.

Understanding Relocation in Washington

What counts as relocation under Washington’s parenting plan laws?

Relocation simply means you are changing your child’s home while a parenting plan is in place. And Washington has very specific rules about when you must give notice, and those rules only apply to parents who have:

• Most of the residential time, or
• Almost equal time, which means at least 45 percent.

If you fall into one of those groups, then any move of the child’s home is a relocation. From there, Washington divides moves into two types:

1. Moving to a different school district
   This is the big one.
   You must give a formal Notice of Intent to Move With Children, and the other parent has a legal right to object. This is where the 60-day notice and all the relocation court rules apply.
2. Moving within the same school district
   You still have to tell the other parent, but it does not trigger the formal objection process. A text, email, or other reasonable notice is usually enough.

Do I need permission to move if I already have primary custody?

Yes. You must give notice of relocation. It is a requirement of the parenting plan. If there are safety concerns or other worries, you should talk to an attorney about how to address those to make sure you and your child are safe.

Can I move with my child if the other parent has very little or no contact?

Probably, but you still must give notice depending on the move and the other parent can object. Whether that objection will stop the move will depend on an eleven factor test. And parents who have very little to no contact will have a hard time succeeding on an objection. 

What factors do Washington courts consider when deciding a relocation request?

Courts apply the 11 statutory relocation factors, which include the reasons for the move, how it benefits the child, the quality of each parent’s relationship with the child, the impact on the schedule, and the availability of alternative arrangements (RCW 26.09.520).

Does the court care why I want to move, such as for a job, safety, or family support?

Yes. The reason for the move is one of the factors in relocation cases. Moves for employment, financial stability, or family support can be persuasive. The Court wants to make sure you are not moving in order to frustrate the relationship of your child with their other parent. Of course, Courts also consider safety concerns or past domestic violence (RCW 26.09.520(1), (4)).

Does my child’s preference matter in relocation cases?

It is not a major factor. At least it is not as important as other factors such as the reason to move, the family support system, the benefits of moving vs. staying, and the strength of the relationship with the other parent. 

How does relocation work when a child has special needs or important medical care?

Courts pay significant attention to medical, therapeutic, and educational needs for children with special circumstances. A move that disrupts essential services may weigh heavily against relocation unless comparable services exist in the new location.

Can a parent relocate internationally with their child?

International relocation is possible, but courts apply the same 11 factors and require a detailed plan for safety, communication, education, and long-distance scheduling. Judges also consider passport requirements and the ability to enforce Washington orders abroad.

➡ [link: Special Circumstances in Parenting Cases]

Notice, Timing, and Objecting to Relocation

How much notice do I have to give before relocating with my child?

If you want to move your child to a different school district, you must give every other parent with court-ordered time at least 60 days’ written notice using the official Notice of Intent to Move With Children form (FL Relocate 701). The 60 days gives the other parent time to object and allows the court to review the move if needed.

If the move is inside the same school district, you still must notify the other parent, but the rules are more relaxed and the formal 60-day objection process does not apply (RCW 26.09.440).

What has to be included in a Washington relocation notice?

For moves to a new school district, the notice must include:

• your intended new address,
• the proposed school,
• the reason for the move,
• your proposed new parenting plan or schedule,
• and an explanation of how the other parent can object.

This notice must be served by personal service or by mail that requires a return receipt. Missing required information can invalidate the notice and may delay the move (RCW 26.09.440).

Are there exceptions to the 60-day notice rule?

Yes. Washington recognizes situations where advance notice is not possible. You may give shorter or delayed notice if:

• you did not have enough information to provide 60 days’ notice,
• you are relocating to avoid domestic violence or serious safety risks,
• you are moving into a confidential location such as a DV shelter,
• or your address is protected by the Address Confidentiality Program.

In these cases, notice may be given within five days of learning the necessary information, or may be delayed up to 21 days when safety requires it (RCW 26.09.450).

How does the other parent object to relocation in Washington?

To object, the other parent must file and serve the Objection about Moving With Children form (FL Relocate 721) within 30 days after receiving the notice. The objection must be served by personal service or by certified mail with return receipt.

Filing an objection prevents the move until the court reviews the case, unless the relocating parent obtains an emergency order that allows the move sooner (RCW 26.09.500).

What happens if I miss the deadline to object to a relocation?

If no objection is filed within 30 days, the relocating parent may move with the child after the deadline expires. The proposed parenting plan included with the Notice can also take effect by agreement.

Late objections are rarely accepted and usually only when the notice was defective or when a safety issue requires immediate review.

What can I do if the other parent moved without giving notice?

You may file a motion for sanctions, enforcement, or an emergency order requiring the child’s return. Courts take failure to provide notice seriously because it disrupts the other parent’s rights (RCW 26.09.470).

What happens if the court does not allow me to relocate?

If relocation is denied, you must comply with the existing parenting plan. If you relocate anyway, the court can change the child’s primary residence, restrict your time, or impose sanctions under.

➡ Learn more at Parenting Plan Enforcement and Contempt

Parenting Plans, Travel, and the Consequences of Relocation

How do courts create long-distance parenting plans after relocation is approved?

Courts often replace frequent school-year visits with longer blocks of time during school breaks, holidays, and summer. Judges design plans that preserve meaningful relationships without overwhelming travel for the child.

Who pays for travel and transportation when a parent relocates?

Washington courts allocate travel costs based on the reasons for the move, each parent’s finances, and fairness. The relocating parent often pays more of the travel expenses, but each case is fact-specific.

➡ Learn more at our page Long-Distance Parenting Plans

Does relocation automatically count as a substantial change that allows modification?

Yes. A relocation request itself allows parents to seek modification of the parenting plan without proving adequate cause. The court reviews the relocation and the modification together.

Can the other parent ask for custody if they successfully object to relocation?

Possibly. If the court denies the relocation and the relocating parent cannot remain in the local area, the court may award primary residence to the other parent to preserve the child’s stability.

Can a parent still get 50/50 custody after a relocation?

Rarely. Equal time usually requires parents to live close to one another and to the child’s school. Long-distance situations almost always require a primary home for the school year, even when both parents are capable.

Do I need to modify my parenting plan if I move somewhere local but still change school districts?

This depends largely on how far you moved and how that affects travel for changing from one parent’s house to another. But any change to a parenting plan must still be in the best interests of the child and if residential time is otherwise unaffected by the move it makes it less likely (though not impossible) for a parenting plan to change in any meaningful way.

➡ Learn more at our page Modifying Parenting Plans

Relocation Is Complicated, but You Do Not Have to Navigate It Alone

Relocation cases reshape the entire parenting structure. A move can create new opportunities for a child, but it can also strain relationships and disrupt routines. Washington’s relocation laws try to balance those competing realities. 

The court looks closely at why a parent wants to move, how the move affects the child, and how to preserve meaningful time with both parents whenever possible.

Whether you are planning a move or responding to one, the key is to follow the notice rules carefully, act quickly if an objection is needed, and focus on the specific factors the court must consider. 

A well-prepared relocation case gives the judge a clear picture of your child’s life, your reasons for the move, and the plan that best supports the child’s growth and stability.

If a relocation is on the horizon, talking to an experienced family law attorney can help you understand your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and protect your relationship with your child as circumstances change.

Reviewed by Attorney Zachary C Ashby, Pacific Northwest Family Law, November 2025.