{"data":{"id":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-48-16-701","jurisdiction":"us-wv","citation":"W. Va. Code § 48-16-701","heading":"Definitions.","body":"In this part:\n(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.\n(2) \"Central authority\" means the entity designated by the United States or a foreign country described in section 102(5)(D) [§48-16-102(5)(D]] to perform the functions specified in the convention.\n(3) \"Convention support order\" means a support order of a tribunal of a foreign country described in section 102(5)(D) [§48-16-102(5)(D)].\n(4) \"Direct request\" means a petition filed by an individual in a tribunal of this state in a proceeding involving an obligee, obligor or child residing outside the United States.\n(5) \"Foreign central authority\" means the entity designated by a foreign country described in section 102(5)(D) [§48-16-102(5)(D)], to perform the functions specified in the convention.\n(6) \"Foreign support agreement:\"\n(A) Means an agreement for support in a record that:\n(i) Is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;\n(ii) Has been:\n(I) Formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal; or\n(II) Authenticated by, or concluded, registered or filed with a foreign tribunal; and\n(iii) May be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal; and\n(B) Includes a maintenance arrangement or authentic instrument under the convention.\n(7) \"United States central authority\" means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.","path":["CHAPTER 48. DOMESTIC RELATIONS.","ARTICLE 16. UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT.","PART VII. SUPPORT PROCEEDING UNDER CONVENTION."],"source_url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-16-701/","current_through":"as of 2026-08-03; contains at least the enactments of the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T00:30:29Z","sha256":"7ce4f9878e2fad896d0a2a39428338321b924b93f8d9729fe3fa493f92f5f59b","source_id":"us-wv","stale":true,"prev":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-48-16-616","next":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-48-16-702"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}