Florida
Can a Parent Get Permission to Relocate Out of the Country With a Child in Florida?
Quick answer
Moving out of the country with a child after a custody order is a relocation matter, and Florida treats it as a formal step that needs either the other parent's written agreement or a court's approval. This page explains what that process generally involves and what a judge tends to consider.
Last updated June 2026
Relocation Is Different From a Regular Modification
In Florida, moving a child a long distance (roughly 50 miles or more from the current home) is handled under the state's relocation rules, not a plain custody modification. A move to another country falls squarely in this category and almost always requires either signed consent from the other parent or a court order allowing it.
If both parents agree, they can sign a written agreement describing the new arrangement (who has time when, how travel is handled, and who pays for it) and ask the court to approve it. If they do not agree, the parent who wants to move usually has to file a formal request and prove why the move should be allowed.
What a Judge Weighs
A court's central question is whether the move is in the child's best interest, not whether it is convenient for either parent. Judges commonly look at the reason for the move, the child's relationship with each parent, how the move would affect the child's stability and schooling, and whether a workable long-distance schedule can preserve the far-away parent's relationship.
The parent who wants to relocate generally carries the burden of showing the move is genuine and good for the child. The parent who objects then has a chance to show why it is not. Because an international move makes regular visits harder, courts pay close attention to whether the proposed long-distance plan (summers, alternating holidays, and video contact) is realistic.
How the Parenting Plan Usually Changes
When a relocation abroad is permitted, the time-sharing schedule is rewritten to fit the distance. A common outcome is that the staying parent has the child during the school year while the relocating parent gets extended blocks like summer break and alternating holidays, often with the relocating parent covering travel costs. This is exactly the kind of structure the poster described.
Travel logistics matter a great deal in these plans: passports, who books flights, international pickup and drop-off, and backup plans if travel is disrupted. Spelling these out in detail up front prevents fights later. It also helps to map the proposed school-year and summer split on a calendar so both parents can see how the year actually breaks down.
Practical Steps
Read the exact relocation and modification language in your current order, since some orders already spell out what happens if a parent moves. Gather concrete details about the destination (housing, schooling, the child's support network there) because vague plans are hard to approve.
If the other parent might agree, a clear written proposal with a specific long-distance schedule is often the fastest path. If they will not agree, be ready for a contested hearing where you present evidence for why the move serves the child. Filing happens at the court that handles your case, so confirm the right courthouse before you start.
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This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.