West Virginia Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in West Virginia

Adoption Records Access

• Non-Identifying Information : To obtain non identifying information, a person must complete 18 years of age or over.

• Identifying Information : This information is provided through a registry.

• Contact :

  West Virginia Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry
  West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services
  Kay Chambers
  Office of Social Services
  350 Capitol Street, Room 691
  Charleston, WV 25301-3704
  (304) 558-7980

  Birth Certificate (Original):A petition to the court is must to obtain a certificate by adoptee.

Consents

• Consent to an adoption shall be done by:
  Statute: - §- § 48-22-301; 49-3-1
  • A marital child's parents.
  • Non-marital child's mother and determined father.
  • An authorized guardian or other person having custody (legally).
  • An authorized person by court.
  • Agency (with legal custody of the child).

• When Consent is not required :
  Statute: - § 48-22-301
  • A parent has abandoned or relinquished the child.
  • On termination of parental rights.
  • If the parent is having any problem or disability.

• Age Requirement for consideration of Adoptee's Consent :
  Statute: - § 48-22-301
  • A child of age twelve or older should consent in the presence of a judge.

• Parental Consent can be executed :
  Statute: - § 48-22-302
  • Consent execution is not allowed until at least seventy two hours after the birth of child.
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