Motion to Relocate Out of State – Statutory Guidelines

For Full Information on Motion to Relocate Out of State, click here:  2026-05-08 Motion to Relocate Statutory Guidelines

Statutory authority: MN Statute Section 518.175 Subd. 3; MN General Rule of Practice – Rule 303 

Waiting period before filing: None. However, ADR clauses likely to apply and if in Olmsted county, probably have to go through PJCM process.   

There is also no specific waiting period between a parent filing a second motion to relocate if the first one is denied. Instead, the threshold question should be whether any purported changes in circumstances since the denied motion were significant enough to require the district court to look beyond the decision denying relocation and consider the cumulative changes.1  

Required Findings / Legal Standard: 

• If both parents have been awarded parenting time, the parent who the child primarily lives with can’t move out of state without the other parent’s consent or a court order (even if that parent has sole physical custody). 

• Burden is on the parent requesting the move to show that the move is in the best interest of the child, UNLESS court finds there has been domestic abuse, then the burden shifts to the parent opposing the move.2  

• The Court shall be guided by: 

• Is the reason for the move to interfere with parenting time? If so, the Court will deny 

• Best interest standards3 and consideration of the eight factors listed in  Minn. Stat. § 518.175, subd. 3(c).: 

1. the nature, quality, extent of involvement, and duration of the child’s relationship with the person proposing to relocate and with the nonrelocating person, siblings, and other significant persons in the child’s life; 

1. the age, developmental stage, needs of the child, and the likely impact the relocation will have on the child’s physical, educational, and emotional development, taking into consideration special needs of the child; 

1. the feasibility of preserving the relationship between the nonrelocating person and the child through suitable parenting time arrangements, considering the logistics and financial circumstances of the parties; 

1. the child’s preference, taking into consideration the age and maturity of the child; 

1. whether there is an established pattern of conduct of the person seeking the relocation either to promote or thwart the relationship of the child and the nonrelocating person; 

1. whether the relocation of the child will enhance the general quality of the life for both the custodial parent seeking the relocation and the child including, but not limited to, financial or emotional benefit or educational opportunity; 

1. the reasons of each person for seeking or opposing the relocation; and 

1. the effect on the safety and welfare of the child, or of the parent requesting to move the child’s residence, of domestic abuse, as defined in section 518B.01. 

Notice Timeline: (Standard Motion Timelines Apply) 

• Once you obtain a hearing date, you must “promptly give written notice” to the other party of the date, time, judge, and primary issues.4 Rule 115.02; Rule 303 

• You must contact the other party within 7 days after filing the motion to talk about settling your case, including the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) options. See Rule 303.03(c) MN Gen. Rules of Practice. 

Mandatory Hearing: Yes, unless both parents agree to the move. However, an evidentiary hearing is NOT required.5 

Filing Fees: Yes – motion filing fee. Varies by County, usually about $100 

Required Documents: No rules or statutes outlines specific documents required for motion to relocate. As such, general rules guide and state that motions shall be submitted on affidavits, exhibits, documents subpoenaed to the hearing, memoranda, and arguments of counsel.  

• Notice of Motion: which states the date, time, and place of the hearing, name of Judge, notice of time to respond, and sets out with particularity the relief requested in individually numbered paragraphs 

• Affidavits: All motions must be supported by affidavits that contain facts relevant to the issues before the court. 

• Exhibits: Filed as “other document” or if confidential “Confidential information form 11.2 attachments. 

• Cover Sheet for Non-Public Documents Form 11.2: if submitting financial documents as exhibits. 

• Memorandum of Law: Moving party must submit 21 days prior to hearing. 6 Rule 303.03 

• Certificate of Settlement Efforts: Moving party must file a Certificate of Settlement Efforts not later than 24 hours before the hearing. Unless excused by the Court for good cause, no motion shall be heard unless the parties have complied with this rule. Rule 303.03(c) 

Oral Testimony: Rule 303.03(d)(2) Request for Leave for Oral Testimony. Requests for the taking of oral testimony must be made by motion served and filed not later than the filing of that party’s initial motion documents. The motion shall include names of witnesses, nature and length of testimony, including cross-examination, and types of exhibits, if any. 

Child Testimony: Any motion relating to custody or visitation shall additionally state whether either party desires the court to interview minor children. No child under the age of fourteen years will be allowed to testify without prior written notice to the other party and court approval.7 Rule 303.03 (d)(7) 

Any unique issues by county/magistrate: None that aren’t already addressed here.