\nAs used in this Article:\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 G.S. 52C-1-101(3a)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 G.S. 52C-1-101(3a)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 G.S. 52C-1-101(3a)d. to perform the functions specified in the Convention.\n(6) 'Foreign support agreement' means an agreement for support in a record that:\na. Is enforceable as a support order in the country of origin;\nb. Has been (i) formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal or (ii) authenticated by or concluded, registered, or le as a support order in the country of origin;\nb. Has been (i) formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument by a foreign tribunal or (ii) authenticated by or concluded, registered, or filed with a foreign tribunal; and\nc. May be reviewed and modified by a foreign tribunal.\nThe term 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. (1995, c. 538, s. 7(c); 2015-117, s. 1.)
North Carolina Legal Code