R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-23.1-201 (2026)
Bases for jurisdiction over nonresident
History of Section. P.L. 1997, ch. 170, § 15; P.L. 2006, ch. 69, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 76, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 263, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 132, § 1.
(a) In proceeding to establish or enforce a support order or to determine parentage of a child, a tribunal of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual or the individual’s guardian or conservator if:
- (1) The individual is personally served within this state pursuant to the Rules of Domestic Relations;
- (2) The individual submits to the jurisdiction of this state by consent in a record, by entering a general appearance, or by filing a responsive document having the effect of waiving any contest to personal jurisdiction;
- (3) The individual resided with the child in this state;
- (4) The individual resided in this state and provided prenatal expenses or support for the child;
- (5) The child resides in this state as a result of the acts or directives of the individual;
- (6) The individual engaged in sexual intercourse in this state and the child may have been conceived by that act of intercourse;
- (7) The individual asserted parentage of a child by completing an affidavit of paternity in this state signed by both parents; or
- (8) There is any other basis consistent with the constitutions of this state, and the United States for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.
- (b) The bases of personal jurisdiction set forth in subsection (a) or in any other law of this state may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of this state to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of § 15-23.1-611 or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of § 15-23.1-615 are met.
History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 170, § 15; P.L. 2006, ch. 69, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 76, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 263, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 132, § 1.