Virginia Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in Virginia

Adoption Records Access

• Non-Identifying Information : A person (birth parents, adoptive parents or/and adopted adult) of age eighteen or older are allowed to obtain non identifying information.

• Identifying Information : A confidential Intermediary system may provide the identifying information with the approval from Social service Commissioner.

• Confidential Intermediary : An adopted adult (completed 18 years of age or older) can use this service for finding the birth parents.
  If adopted adult is under eighteen of age then adoptive parents may use this service to find the birth relatives.

• Contact :
  Virginia Department of Social Services,
  Richmond,
  (804) 692-1290.

• Birth Certificate (Original): To obtain certificate, an adoptee must requests the court in which the adoption was finalized.

Consents

• Consent to an adoption shall be done by:
  Statute: - §- § 48.41; 48.42
  • A parent.
  • An agency or other authorized person.

• Age Requirement for consideration of Adoptee Consent :
  Statute: - § 48.837
  Any child having the age twelve or older is needed to be present at the time of hearing related to his or her adoptive placement.

• When Consent is not required :
  Statute: - § 48.415
  • On termination of parental rights because of failure of the responsibilities of parents assumed.
  • If parent has abused or abandoned the child.

• Parental Consent can be executed :
  Statute: - § 48.837
  • After the birth of child, a person can file the petition for voluntary termination of parental rights. Within thirty days, a hearing may be held for this.
  Page1 | Page2