Virginia Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
What You Need to Know About Virginia Adoption Records
Virginia adoption records are sealed and unavailable to the public without a court order. However, adoptees can get information about their birth families once they turn 18. Birth parents and biological siblings can also search for adoptees, but only if the adoption occurred after 1994.
In closed states like Virginia, it’s often difficult and time-consuming to access information about an adoption — and in some cases, it’s legally impossible.
Adopted.com offers an alternative route for adoptees, birth parents, and other family members who want to reunite. We provide the largest voluntary adoption reunion registry in the U.S., opening the door to potential connections for family members who consent to sharing information.
You don’t need to fill out a confusing form or get a court order. You just need to answer ten simple questions that most people know about their adoption. Register today to get started with your search. A reunion is possible, whether you’re in Norfolk, Roanoke, or any other part of Virginia.
If you want to try accessing your adoption records via the state, there are a few things to know.
The process of adoption disclosure looks slightly different depending on whether you’re the adoptee, the birth parent, or another family member. Here’s how to access adoption records in Virginia through the VDSS:
- Adoptees who are at least 18 years old can submit an Adoptee Application for Disclosure to search for their birth parents and adult birth siblings.
- Adoptive parents of a minor child can submit an Adoptive Parent Application for Disclosure to search for birth parents and adult birth siblings. However, this only applies if the adoption occurred after July 1, 1994.
- Birth parents can submit a Birth Parent Application for Disclosure if the adoptee is at least 21 years old and the adoption took place after July 1, 1994.
- Adult birth siblings can submit an Adult Birth Sibling Application for Disclosure if the adoptee is at least 21 years old and the adoption took place after July 1, 1994.
Unfortunately, biological family members cannot search for the adoptee if the adoption was finalized before July 1, 1994. However, they can send letters and submit their contact information to the VDSS. If the adoptee requests this information, it will be provided to them.
Register Now Directory
5,901 How Do I Get My Adoption Records Unsealed in Virginia?
You need a court order to unseal your adoption records, which include the permanent court record and the official adoption file. However, if you’re looking for non-identifying or identifying information from the adoption file, you can apply to access it through the VDSS.
How Do I Get My Original Birth Certificate If I Was Adopted in Virginia?
If you were born and adopted in Virginia, you’ll need a court order to obtain your original birth record through the state Department of Health Vital Records office.
If you were adopted in Virginia but born in another state, you’ll need to contact that state’s vital records office for information.
Are Adoption Records Public in Virginia?
No, adoption records are sealed in Virginia and kept confidential by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). You cannot get Virginia public adoption records without a court order. However, birth families and adoptive families can access some information under certain conditions.
If you’re an adult adoptee or an adoptive parent, you can request to view non-identifying information through the VDSS. This information may include the birth parents’ medical histories and the circumstances of the adoption. It doesn’t include the birth parents’ names or any other details that may reveal their identities.
Virginia law also allows some family members to request identifying information. This may include names, dates of birth, or contact information. While you can apply to obtain this information, the other party must consent to release it. If they don’t, your application will be denied.
If you’re the spouse, child, or grandchild of an adoptee, you cannot access their adoption records in Virginia.
Are Adoptions in Virginia Open?
Virginia is considered a “closed” adoption state because it seals adoption records. However, Virginia law allows for open adoptions. In an open adoption, the birth parents and the adoptive family agree to share information or stay in contact after the adoption.
An open adoption arrangement may include letters, phone calls, or face-to-face visits. However, the official adoption records and the adoptee’s original birth certificate are sealed even in an open adoption.
Search in nearby states to Virginia
Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,204,965 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Virginia
-
Danaebeloate
40 second ago
-
AndrewNamber
17 minutes ago
-
Angelramirez
1 hour ago
-
Baylor100
1 hour ago
-
Grannymylissa
1 hour ago
-
Chasitytsmith
2 hours ago
-
JosephALyons
2 hours ago
-
Annikarayfield
2 hours ago
-
Greshamkj
3 hours ago
-
Sasha2kennedy4
3 hours ago
-
Abriannacampb
3 hours ago
-
Jayb114
4 hours ago
-
DeanRileyD
4 hours ago
-
MalorieS
4 hours ago
-
JAIMIEDAVIS13
4 hours ago
-
Clesly2017
4 hours ago
-
Reco
4 hours ago
-
Juliestevens17
4 hours ago
-
Momma7717
4 hours ago
-
Torieparsons
5 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
1666. Matt22204 : Born in Arlington Hospital‚ birth mother lived in or near the City of Alexandria‚ VA. Looking for an older sister named Marcela/Marcella who was reported to have been born sometime around 1956. Father may have been a police officer in the City of Alexandria or Arlington County. Father & Birth Mother were not married. Marcella regularly attended child day care in the City of Alexandria while her mother worked. Marcella may have been separated from her mother when she went to live with a relative‚ possibly a grandparent?
1667. JHancock2838 : My dad was born in Harrisonburg Va on March 2nd 1966 and was put up for adoption. Would love to find his birth family. I do know through DNA test his father was a Brown
1668. Steveorndorff : Hello. My name is Steve Orndorff. I have found my birth father, who is now deceased. I am looking for my birth mother for medical history. I was born on Jan. 22, 1969 in Bristol, Tennessee but adopted in Virginia. Thank You, Steve
1669. Phil1983 : The mother love music and horses
1670. Jrham : Looking for my son born in Norfolk, Virginia in October, 1963. Not sure of the exact date in October 1963. May have been adopted out of Newport News or Norfolk, VA.
1671. TaylorDahlgren : Military background. Parents were possibly air force
1672. Rogerthat : I have been looking for this person a long time. Linda Sue Jones is mother. Roger Fisher is father
1673. Coreybosox : Luray Caverns Virginia, possible surname McKinnon
1674. Blyritz12 : Just trying to find my birth parents.
1675. Hg3white : My name is Hiram White III. I was born in portsmouth, va and i was named after my adopted father who was Hiram G. White Jr.
1676. Slautar : I was born in Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax VA. Searching for birth parents or siblings. Have no other information as it was a private adoption. No information provided on my parents.
1677. Cprickett16 : His name is Jeffrey Borden, adoptive parents are Ralph and Marjorie Borden. He has an adoptive brother, Brian and his adoptive parents have one biological son, Kent.
1678. Slautar : Born Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax Virginia.
1679. Alegrias42 : My husband was born in Hampton, VA on June 18, 1971. He was adopted shortly after his birth. We’re looking for parents and siblings. It’s possible that his birth and adoptive parents (Bob and Kitty) knew one another. My husband has dark brown almost black hair, or at least he did it’s now silver. He is balding. His eyes are light brown. He is 6’ tall.
1680. Hmj1103 : Birth mother found - Madelyn Peterson. Also found one half brother. We are still looking for 3 additional brothers on maternal side. (There are 5 brothers in total). Adoptee is male born February 21,1948 at Depaul Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. Baby was placed with adoptive family through Columbus County DSS, and then adopted in Wilmington, NC (New Hanover County). ** we believe that birth mother brought child back to NC, where she was from (Delco, NC) and then for some reason made the decision to place for adoption** We are in search of biological father/ connections to biological father. DNA is on Ancestry
