(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, a tribunal of this state shall recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this state.

(2) An application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be accompanied by:

(a) A complete text of the foreign support agreement; and

(b) A record stating that the foreign support agreement is enforceable as an order of support in the issuing country.

(3) A tribunal of this state may vacate the registration of a foreign support agreement only if, acting on its own motion, the tribunal finds that recognition and enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with public policy.

(4) In a contest of a foreign support agreement, a tribunal of this state may refuse recognition and enforcement of the agreement if it finds:

(a) Recognition and enforcement of the agreement is manifestly incompatible with public policy;

(b) The agreement was obtained by fraud or falsification;

(c) The agreement is incompatible with a support order involving the same parties and having the same purpose in this state, another state, or a foreign country if the support order is entitled to recognition and enforcement under this chapter in this state; or

(d) The record submitted under subsection (2) of this section lacks authenticity or integrity.

(5) A proceeding for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement must be suspended during the pendency of a challenge to or appeal of the agreement before a tribunal of another state or a foreign country.

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.