GF-17: Petition for Custody or Visitation
Name the week before you name the war - this is the Family Court start lane.
GF-17 is New York's official Petition for Custody or Visitation. It is the opening petition parents generally use to start a custody or visitation case in Family Court and propose first terms about time and authority. It is not GF-40 (change an existing order) and not GF-41 (enforce language that already works on paper). If an operative order already exists, compare the modify and enforce lanes before you file.
Official sources
- GF-17 PDF (English): https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/FORMS/familycourt/pdfs/gf-17.pdf
- NY Family Court custody/visitation forms index: https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/FORMS/familycourt/custodyvisitation.shtml
- CourtHelp custody and visitation hub: https://www.nycourts.gov/help/families-children/custody-visitation-orders
When to use GF-17
GF-17 is generally for starting a first custody or visitation case when you need the court to set initial terms about where the child lives, who makes major decisions, or how access time works. New York Family Court materials describe filing a petition and serving the other party. There is no CourtHelp DIY program dedicated solely to the opening GF-17 petition; use the official PDF, forms index, and CourtHelp hub, and check with your Family Court clerk about local copy and service rules.
First filing beat
A
Pick the lane
No order yet, or you truly need a first framework.
B
Draft the week
Overnights, exchanges, holidays, summers.
C
Split authority
School, health, activities: who decides when you disagree.
D
Verify county
Filing channel, fees, copies before you treat a PDF as final.
Three Family Court doors (do not pick the wrong handle)
GF-17 · This page
Start the case and propose first terms
Use when there is not an operative order you are trying to rewrite.
GF-40 · Modify
Material change since the last signed language
Life moved: school zone, move, care collapse, schedule impossible.
GF-41 · Enforce
The order is readable; compliance is the failure
You can quote clauses and date the misses.
Custody versus visitation at filing stage
Visitation can mean access time. Custody can mean decision authority plus residential rhythm. On GF-17, translate both words into a calendar and a short list of decision rules. If your draft only argues labels, you have not finished the job.
- Write the proposed week someone could type into a grid.
- Name what happens on a school snow day or a late pickup, if that is your pain point.
- Keep deep message threads indexed; do not bury intake readers on day one.
GF-17 (this form)
Opening petition: start a custody or visitation case and propose first terms in Family Court.
Organize your first filing packet
MyCustodyCoach can help you gather schedule notes, decision categories, and a child-week map in one place before you complete GF-17 or talk with counsel. MCC does not file forms for you and is not a substitute for a lawyer.
Related guides
More New York forms
General support (not New York-specific)
GF-17 questions
What is New York GF-17?
GF-17 is New York's General Form 17, the Petition for Custody or Visitation. Parents and certain other parties generally use it to start a custody or visitation case in Family Court when they need a first order about where the child lives, who decides major topics, or how access time works. It is not the form to change an existing order (GF-40) or to enforce an order that is clear but not being followed (GF-41).
Where can I download the official GF-17 PDF?
New York State Unified Court System publishes GF-17 on its statewide Family Court forms repository at nycourts.gov (LegacyPDFS/FORMS/familycourt/pdfs/gf-17.pdf). The custody/visitation forms index and CourtHelp custody/visitation hub also list official court resources. Use the official links on this page rather than third-party copies so you get the current court form.
When should I use GF-17 instead of GF-40 or GF-41?
Use GF-17 when you are starting a first custody or visitation framework and do not have an operative order you are trying to modify or enforce. If you already have a signed order and life changed enough that the old language fails the child week, compare GF-40. If the order is readable and the problem is repeated non-compliance, compare GF-41. If you are unsure, review official CourtHelp materials or talk with counsel you hire.
Is GF-17 filed in Family Court?
Yes. New York City Family Court materials describe filing a custody or visitation petition in Family Court. There are generally no filing fees in Family Court for these petitions, but service, copy counts, and local rules may vary by county - check with your Family Court clerk before you file.
Do I need an existing custody or visitation order for GF-17?
No. GF-17 is an opening petition. If you already have a signed custody or visitation order and your goal is to change it or enforce it, GF-40 or GF-41 may be the better lane. Starting over with a first petition because the PDF feels simpler is a common wrong-lane mistake.
How does GF-17 differ from GF-40 and GF-41?
GF-17 starts the case and proposes first terms about custody and visitation. GF-40 modifies an existing order after a change in circumstances. GF-41 enforces an existing order when someone is not following readable language. The three forms answer different Family Court questions even though all involve custody and visitation.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
MyCustodyCoach is not a law firm. Court rules, fees, and form versions change by county; confirm what applies to your case with official court resources or counsel you hire.