Section 3421 Of Chapter 2. Jurisdiction From California Family Law Code >> Division 8. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 2.
3421
. (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3424, a court of
this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody
determination only if any of the following are true:
(1) This state is the home state of the child on the date of the
commencement of the proceeding, or was the home state of the child
within six months before the commencement of the proceeding and the
child is absent from this state but a parent or person acting as a
parent continues to live in this state.
(2) A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under
paragraph (1), or a court of the home state of the child has declined
to exercise jurisdiction on the grounds that this state is the more
appropriate forum under Section 3427 or 3428, and both of the
following are true:
(A) The child and the child's parents, or the child and at least
one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant
connection with this state other than mere physical presence.
(B) Substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the
child's care, protection, training, and personal relationships.
(3) All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph (1) or (2) have
declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this
state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the
child under Section 3427 or 3428.
(4) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the
criteria specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(b) Subdivision (a) is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for
making a child custody determination by a court of this state.
(c) Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party
or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody
determination.