Can I relocate with my child after separation?

How the answer differs across 9 jurisdictions

The Short Answer

Yes, but only if it serves the child’s best interests and both parents agree—or a court approves the move after reviewing its impact on the child’s welfare and the non-custodial parent’s rights.

100% agreement
Required for relocation if joint custody
Child's best interests
Legal standard for court approval
Impact-based
Relocation defined by impact, not km
BGB § 1627
Governing statute
The Short Answer

Yes, you can move to another city with your child after separation, but you must give formal notice to the other parent and may need court approval if they object.

30 days
Notice period
Divorce Act
Governing law
s. 16.9
Relocation section
Court order
May be required
AustraliaFull article
The Short Answer

Yes, you may be able to stop the move — the court must decide whether it’s in the children’s best interests, and the parent wanting to relocate must apply for permission if it would substantially affect the other parent’s time with the children.

Best interests
Primary test
12 months
Relocation notice period
Section 60B
FLA guiding principle
Section 65DAA
Court's obligation
The Short Answer

Yes, if you are a guardian and wish to relocate your child permanently outside Ireland, you generally need the consent of all other guardians — or court permission if consent is refused or unobtainable.

s. 11
Relevant section
All guardians
Consent required
Outside Ireland
Applies to relocation
Court order
If consent denied
SingaporeFull article
The Short Answer

No, you cannot relocate overseas with your child after divorce without the other parent’s consent or a court order. The court will decide based on the child’s welfare as the paramount consideration.

Paramount
Child's welfare
Court order
Required if no consent
Both parents
Must agree or seek court
Cap. 122
GIA statute
The Short Answer

No, you cannot relocate abroad with your child after divorce without either the other parent’s consent or court permission.

Court order nee
Legal requirement
s. 13
Relevant section
1989
Act year
UK-wide
Jurisdiction
US-CaliforniaFull article
The Short Answer

Yes, you can relocate with your child after a custody order in California, but only if you get court approval or the other parent’s written consent — otherwise, moving more than 50 miles or out of state may violate the order and risk contempt.

50 miles
Distance trigger
45 days
Notice deadline
100% consent
Written agreement needed
Best interest
Court standard
US-New YorkFull article
The Short Answer

Yes, but only with court approval or the other parent’s written consent — moving more than 25 miles from your current residence or outside New York State is considered a 'relocation' under New York law.

25 miles
Relocation threshold
30 days
Notice deadline
1 year
Custody order age
Best interests
Legal standard
European UnionFull article
The Short Answer

Yes, you generally need your ex-partner’s consent to relocate with your child to another EU country — unless a court has granted you sole parental responsibility or explicitly authorised the move.

100% consent
Required if joint custody
6 weeks
Notice period in some Member States
Brussels IIa
Governing EU regulation
Hague 1996
Applicable convention

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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.