---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-11-180. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 19-11-180
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-11-180 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-11-180
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-11-180.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-11-180/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=1257
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
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publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: DOMESTIC RELATIONS / ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY OF SUPPORT / UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT / DETERMINATION OF PARENTAGE
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-11-180. Definitions.

As used in this part, the term:

(1) “Application” means a request under the convention by an obligee or obligor, or on behalf of a child, made through a central authority for assistance from another central authority.

(2) “Central authority” means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (5) of Code Section 19-11-101 to perform the functions specified in the convention.

(3) “Convention support order” means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (5) of Code Section 19-11-101.

(4) “Direct request” means a petition filed by an individual in a tribunal of Georgia in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor, or child residing outside the United States.

(5) “Foreign central authority” means the entity designated by a foreign country described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (5) of Code Section 19-11-101 to perform the functions specified in the convention.

(6) “Foreign support agreement”:

(A) Means an agreement for support in a record that:

(i) Is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;

(ii) Has been:

(I) Formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or

(II) Authenticated by, or concluded, registered, or filed with, a foreign tribunal; and

(iii) May be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and

(B) Includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the convention.

(7) “United States central authority” means the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

## History

Code 1981, § 19-11-180, enacted by Ga. L. 1997, p. 1613, § 33; Ga. L. 2013, p. 705, § 1/SB 193.