---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 1921"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "1921"
heading: "Higher State or Federal standard applicable to protect rights of parent or Indian custodian of Indian child"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/1921"
units:
  - "Chapter 21 — Indian Child Welfare"
  - "Subchapter I — Child Custody Proceedings"
---

# §1921. Higher State or Federal standard applicable to protect rights of parent or Indian custodian of Indian child


In any case where State or Federal law applicable to a child custody proceeding under State or Federal law provides a higher standard of protection to the rights of the [parent](/usc/25/1903.md?p=9) or [Indian custodian](/usc/25/1903.md?p=6) of an [Indian child](/usc/25/1903.md?p=4) than the rights provided under this subchapter, the State or Federal court shall apply the State or Federal standard.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–608, title I, § 111, Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3075.)