Relocation cases are some of the most stressful custody disputes because they affect parenting time, school, travel, family relationships, and the child’s daily routine. A move may make sense for work, family support, remarriage, housing, or safety. But when the move changes the other parent’s access to the child, Illinois law requires specific steps.
Understanding how relocation requests work helps parents avoid mistakes, missed deadlines, and court problems.
Quick Answer
In Illinois child custody cases, relocation means a parent with majority or equal parenting time wants to move with the child beyond the legal distance limits. The parent usually must give at least 60 days’ written notice to the other parent and file a copy with the court. If the other parent agrees, the relocation may move forward with an updated parenting plan. If the other parent objects, the relocating parent must ask the court for permission. Illinois judges decide relocation requests based on the child’s best interests, not only the parent’s reason for moving.
What Counts as Relocation in Illinois?
Not every move counts as legal relocation. A parent may move within certain limits without triggering the formal relocation process. The key issue is distance.
Illinois law defines relocation based on where the child currently lives and how far the new home will be from the child’s current primary residence. The distance is measured by an internet mapping service using surface roads. If several routes appear, the shortest route is used.
Distance Thresholds
Illinois uses different distance thresholds depending on the county where the child currently lives.
Within 25 Miles
If the child’s current primary residence is in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will County, a move within 25 miles usually does not count as relocation under the statute.
If the move is outside Illinois, the 25-mile rule also matters. A move from Illinois to another state that is more than 25 miles from the child’s current primary residence counts as relocation.
Over 25 Miles
A move over 25 miles counts as relocation if the child currently lives in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will County.
A move to another state also counts as relocation if it is more than 25 miles from the child’s current primary residence. This matters even if the new home is close to the Illinois border.
Over 50 Miles
For Illinois counties outside Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, the threshold is more than 50 miles within Illinois. For example, if the child lives in Sangamon County, a move within Illinois must be more than 50 miles from the child’s current primary residence before it becomes a relocation under the statute.
Who Must Follow the Relocation Rules?
The relocation rules apply when a parent has been allocated a majority of parenting time or when both parents have equal parenting time. A parent who meets this requirement may seek to relocate with the child, but they must follow the required legal process.
This means a parent should not assume they can move with the child just because they have primary parenting time. The court order, parenting plan, notice requirements, and distance rules all matter.
The 60-Day Notice Rule
A parent who intends to relocate with a child must usually give the other parent at least 60 days’ written notice before the move. A copy of the notice must also be filed with the clerk of the circuit court.
The notice must include:
- The intended relocation date
- The new address, if known
- The length of time the relocation will last if it is not permanent
If 60 days’ notice is not practical, the parent must give written notice as early as practical unless the court orders something different. The court may consider failure to follow the notice rule when deciding whether the relocation request was made in good faith. The court may also award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs tied to the failure to comply.
What Happens If the Other Parent Agrees?
If the non-relocating parent signs the written notice and the relocating parent files it with the court, the move may be allowed without further court action. The court still updates the parenting plan or allocation judgment to reflect the agreed changes, as long as the agreement serves the child’s best interests.
Parents should put every detail in writing. A vague agreement creates problems later.
The updated parenting plan should address:
- School-year parenting time
- Holiday parenting time
- Summer parenting time
- Transportation costs
- Pickup and drop-off details
- Video calls and phone contact
- Travel notice requirements
- Decision-making responsibilities
A signed notice helps, but a clear updated parenting plan protects both parents.
Court Hearings and Agreements
If the other parent objects, refuses to sign the notice, or the parents cannot agree on parenting plan changes, the relocating parent must file a petition asking the court for permission to relocate.
At that point, the case may involve mediation, negotiation, a hearing, or a full evidentiary presentation. The relocating parent must explain why the move is being requested and how it serves the child’s best interests.
The objecting parent may explain how the move would harm the child’s relationship with them, disrupt school, reduce family support, or create travel burdens.
The court does not approve or deny relocation based only on convenience. The judge looks at the child’s overall welfare.
How Judges Decide
Illinois judges decide relocation requests based on the child’s best interests. The court considers several factors, including the reason for the move, the reason for the objection, each parent’s relationship with the child, educational opportunities, extended family, the impact on the child, whether a reasonable parenting schedule still works, the child’s wishes when appropriate, and ways to reduce harm to the parent-child relationship.
Judges may look at:
- Why the parent wants to move
- Whether the move improves the child’s quality of life
- Whether the move supports education, housing, employment, or family stability
- Why the other parent objects
- Whether either parent has failed to use parenting time
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- The child’s school and community ties
- Extended family near each location
- Travel time and cost
- The child’s age, maturity, and needs
- Whether a new parenting schedule protects both relationships
The court wants a plan that keeps the child stable while preserving meaningful relationships with both parents when possible.
Common Reasons Parents Request Relocation
Parents request relocation for many reasons. Some are stronger than others depending on the facts.
Common reasons include:
- A better job opportunity
- Lower cost of living
- Remarriage
- Closer support from family
- Better school options
- Safety concerns
- Housing stability
- Military or employment transfer
- Medical or caregiving needs
A parent should be ready to show proof. Job offers, school information, housing details, family support, medical records, and travel plans may help support the request.
Common Reasons Parents Object
The other parent may object because the move affects their relationship with the child.
Common objections include:
- Reduced weekly parenting time
- Longer travel distance
- Higher travel costs
- Less involvement in school and activities
- Loss of regular routines
- Concern about the child’s adjustment
- Lack of clear planning by the relocating parent
- Belief that the move is meant to limit contact
Judges take these concerns seriously when they affect the child’s best interests.
What Parents Should Avoid
Relocation cases can go sideways fast when a parent acts first and asks permission later.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Moving before giving proper notice
- Ignoring the 60-day notice rule
- Assuming verbal consent is enough
- Refusing to update the parenting plan
- Failing to file the notice with the court
- Hiding the new address without a valid safety reason
- Making the move look like a way to cut off the other parent
- Showing up to court without a realistic travel and parenting schedule
A relocation request needs planning. “I already moved” is not a great courtroom strategy. That one has bad Wi-Fi and worse consequences.
What a Strong Relocation Plan Should Include
A strong relocation plan should show how the move benefits the child and protects the other parent’s relationship.
The plan should include:
- New address or proposed area
- School details
- Housing information
- Work schedule
- Transportation plan
- Travel cost proposal
- Holiday and summer schedule
- Regular video or phone contact
- Extracurricular activity plan
- Medical care plan
- Childcare plan
- Family support details
The more specific the plan, the easier it is for the court to evaluate whether the move works in real life.
Bottom Line
Illinois relocation requests depend on distance thresholds, written notice, court filing rules, parental agreement, and the child’s best interests. A parent with majority or equal parenting time may seek relocation, but the move must follow the legal process.
If the other parent agrees, the parents should update the parenting plan clearly. If the other parent objects, the relocating parent must ask the court for permission and show why the move serves the child’s best interests.
If you are planning to move with your child or objecting to a proposed relocation in Springfield or Sangamon County, speak with a family law attorney before taking action. Relocation affects custody, parenting time, school, travel, and your long-term relationship with your child.