Minor Guardianship of Native American Children

It is a federal law. It has strict standards all state courts must follow in cases involving custody of an Indian child.

ICWA does not apply to custody actions between the child's parents, such as divorce, parentage, or changing (modifying) custody orders or parenting plans.

To learn more, read our fact sheet on the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The ICWA defines an Indian child as an unmarried person under age 18 who is one of these:

• A member of an Indian tribe
• Eligible to be a member of a tribe and the biological child of a tribal member

Washington State has its own version of the ICWA. Its definition of an Indian child also includes anyone who may be an Indian child.

Because of these laws, you must investigate thoroughly any tribal relative connections. It is not enough to say that the child and/or parents are not enrolled with a tribe.

Only the tribe has the right to determine who is a member. If someone believes the child may be an Indian child, the person filing the case must notify any tribes with which the child has connections.

ICWA does not apply to tribal courts. However, all courts of the United States, including tribal courts, must give full faith and credit to (fully honor) orders of other courts that involve custody of Indian children. This includes orders from other tribal courts.

Most tribes have child custody laws governing who may seek custody or visitation rights with tribal children. To get a copy of a tribal code, get in touch with the tribe directly. You can also find some tribal codes online using the State Tribal Directory at bit.ly/3usWUcy.

You must learn the ICWA's special procedures and requirements, which state that:

• The person filing the case must file and serve the right notice on the children's Tribe(s) and the parents or Indian custodians. You can get these forms (GDN M 401, GDN M 402, GDN M 403) from the Washington Court website, courts.wa.gov/forms.

• The person filing the case must show there were active efforts to provide services and programs to the children's parents to address any problems that interfere with their ability to parent. The person must show these efforts did not correct the parenting problems.
• The person who filed the case must give clear and convincing evidence, including testimony from expert witnesses, that remaining with the parent will probably cause the children serious emotional or physical damage. You can read the state law about this at RCW 13.38.130(4).

To learn more about ICWA and its requirements, read our fact sheet on the ICWA.

It is a court's power or authority to decide a case. If a court does not have jurisdiction to hear your guardianship case, it cannot make an order in the case.

Jurisdiction is especially important in guardianship cases involving Indian children. A non-parent who wants a court order giving them custody of Indian children might need to file a case in tribal court, not state court. It depends on the facts.

It should be in tribal court. Under the ICWA, only tribal courts can hear cases involving custody of Indian children who live on Indian reservations.

You can read the federal law about this at 25 U.S.C. 1911(a). You can read the state law about this at RCW 13.38.060.

It depends.

The state court may hear a case if the Indian children live off the reservation. If the case is filed in state court, the case must be transferred to tribal court unless a parent objects or the tribe declines jurisdiction.

If the case is in state court, the ICWA applies. Read our fact sheet on the ICWA to learn more.

If they file the case in state court, under the ICWA they must notify all of these:

• You (the parents)
• The child's tribe
• Anyone with legal or temporary custody

Even if ICWA does not apply, they must still notify the child if the child is at least 12 as well as:

• The parents
• Any guardian or legal custodian of the child
• Any adult providing primary care for the child now or recently, and
• Each grandparent and known adult sibling of the child.

You can read the state law about this at RCW 11.130.195.

You may be able to ask the court to appoint a lawyer to represent you.

If your children are "Indian children", ICWA applies to the case, and you have the right to have a lawyer appointed to represent you. You can read the state law about this at RCW 13.38.110. You should give the court proof of your low income and ask the court to appoint you a lawyer.

If your children do not meet the definition of "Indian children", ICWA does not apply to your case. You can still ask the court to appoint you a lawyer under the state guardianship law.

In either situation, you can use How to ask for a lawyer if you are a parent in a minor guardianship case.

Yes, if the Indian children do not live on the reservation, any of these can ask to transfer the case to the tribal court of the children's tribe:

• A parent
• The children's Indian custodian
• The tribe
• A child who is at least age twelve

The state court must transfer the case to the jurisdiction of the child's tribe, unless there is good cause not to, or a parent objects to the transfer. You can read the law about this at 25 U.S.C. § 1911(b) and RCW 13.38.080.

A tribal court may not have a guardianship procedure. It should still be able to decide custody of Indian children.

No. You can also say so verbally on the record during a hearing.

Yes.

Read Change a nonparent custody order to get your children back and talk to a lawyer who is familiar with the ICWA.

If you believe the ICWA requirements were not followed in that case, you may be able to ask a court to invalidate (cancel) the custody order.

Maybe, at least for advice.

Following the ICWA's requirements is critical. If you do not, any orders the court makes may be invalid.

Make sure you understand the ICWA's requirements before filing. Ask for legal advice if you are unsure.

Read Minor Guardianship: Fast Facts for general information. Use our File a Minor Guardianship Petition packet.

If you need a court order right away, use our Ask for an Emergency Minor Guardianship Order packet first or at the same time as the other filing packet.

The packets do not say much about the ICWA filing requirements. If the children are Native American and may qualify as Indian children, you should do additional research and/or see a lawyer.

Before choosing to try to get guardianship, you should get to know:

• The complex legal issues
• Paperwork and notice requirements
• The proof (evidence) you must give the judge
• What could happen if you make a mistake in the process

You can visit:

• Native American Right Fund: "A Practical Guide to the Indian Child Welfare Act" or read the ICWA at 25 USC § 1901-63.
• Indian Child Welfare Act Law Center: icwlc.org
• Our Indian Child Welfare Act fact sheet for general information.
• Washington State's Indian Child Welfare Act, Chapter 13.38 RCW, lists the steps needed to meet the requirements in Indian child guardianship cases.