---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 1911"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "1911"
heading: "Indian tribe jurisdiction over Indian child custody proceedings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/1911"
units:
  - "Chapter 21 — Indian Child Welfare"
  - "Subchapter I — Child Custody Proceedings"
---

# §1911. Indian tribe jurisdiction over Indian child custody proceedings

- (a) **Exclusive jurisdiction—** An [Indian tribe](/usc/25/1903.md?p=8) shall have jurisdiction exclusive as to any State over any child custody proceeding involving an [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) who resides or is domiciled within the [reservation](/usc/25/1903.md?p=10) of such tribe, except where such jurisdiction is otherwise vested in the State by existing Federal law. Where an [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) is a ward of a [tribal court](/usc/25/1903.md?p=12), the [Indian tribe](/usc/25/1903.md?p=8) shall retain exclusive jurisdiction, notwithstanding the residence or domicile of the child.
- (b) **Transfer of proceedings; declination by tribal court—** In any State court proceeding for the foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) not domiciled or residing within the [reservation](/usc/25/1903.md?p=10) of the [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4)’s tribe, the court, in the absence of good cause to the contrary, shall transfer such proceeding to the jurisdiction of the tribe, absent objection by either [parent](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9), upon the petition of either [parent](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9) or the [Indian custodian](/usc/25/1903.md?p=6) or the [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4)’s tribe: Provided, That such transfer shall be subject to declination by the [tribal court](/usc/25/1903.md?p=12) of such tribe.
- (c) **State court proceedings; intervention—** In any State court proceeding for the foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4), the [Indian custodian](/usc/25/1903.md?p=6) of the child and the [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4)’s tribe shall have a right to intervene at any point in the proceeding.
- (d) **Full faith and credit to public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of Indian tribes—** The United States, every State, every territory or possession of the United States, and every [Indian tribe](/usc/25/1903.md?p=8) shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of any [Indian tribe](/usc/25/1903.md?p=8) applicable to [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) custody proceedings to the same extent that such entities give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of any other entity.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–608, title I, § 101, Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3071.)