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FL-581Optional

Petition for Enforcement of Out-of-State or Tribal Custody Order and Application for Warrant to Take Physical Custody of Child

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2025

This form is used to ask the court to enforce a child custody order that was made by a court in a different state or by a tribal court. It also asks the court for a warrant to take physical custody of the child.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

After judgment

Stage: After judgment

This form is used when a person believes a child custody order from another state or tribe is being violated and they need the court's help to enforce it and get the child back.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Common questions

What is this form for?
This form is a petition to enforce a child custody order that was issued by a court outside of California or by a tribal court. It also asks for a warrant to take physical custody of the child.
Who fills out this form?
The petitioner fills out this form, and it requires signatures from either an attorney or the petitioner themselves.
Does this involve a hearing?
The form allows the petitioner to ask the court to issue a warrant to take physical custody before a hearing is held.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2025.

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