Shared residence of a child

Information meeting

Parents wishing to enter into an agreement of a shared residence of a child make an appointment to attend an information meeting with the District Commissioner in the area where the child lives. The meeting will discuss, e.g., parental cooperation, residence arrangements, the position of the child, and also provide guidance on the legal effects of a contract on shared residence. The parents sign their agreement on the shared residence of the child at an information meeting, in the presence of the District Commissioner. Parents wishing to make this agreement must jointly submit such a request to the District Commissioner. One parent cannot make the request on its own.

Further data collection

The District Commissioner may decide to offer the child an interview to express his or her views before a decision on confirming a contract on shared residence is made. The District Commissioner may also require parents to gather data or gather it on their own initiative if further information is needed. The District Commissioner may offer the services of a child welfare expert to the parents if refusal to grant a contract confirmation is considered.

Procedural period

If sufficient information is provided at an information meeting, parents can expect the District Commissioner to confirm the agreement within five working days of the meeting. The length of the procedure will be longer if more data collection or interviews are required.

Confirmation by the District Commissioner

An agreement of shared residence of a child between parents shall take effect upon confirmation by the district commissioner. A confirmation form is sent to the parents in their mailbox on Ísland.is. The District Commissioner shall notify the National Registry of Iceland that the agreement has been confirmed.

District Commissioner declines to confirm an agreement on shared residence

If an agreement on shared residence is contrary to the interests and needs of the child or in contravention of law, the District Commissioner shall refuse to confirm the agreement, by means of a reasoned ruling. The ruling of the District Commissioner is subject to appeal to the Ministry of Justice within two months of the date of the ruling.

Electronic communication

All letters addressed to parents regarding the case are sent to their address boxes at Ísland.is.