Virginia Adoption Records
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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.
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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.
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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 1,204,960 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
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
1741. Bam1986 : Birth Mother Gail Hairston (Wright) Canton, VA Birth Father William Watson III of Powhatan VA
1742. Wahillbilly : i am a male adoptee looking for birth mother or father,i was born in Alexandria VA at the Alexandria memorial hospital on may 7 1968,all i know is my mother was really young.most sticking thing about my appearance is that i have bright red hair and my left ear was folded over due to a birth defect
1743. Janetelaine : I was a single college student who placed my son with Catholic Social Services of Virginia. He was born at Hampton General Hospital in Newport News, Virginia. The birth took place early in the morning. I think I was told that the adoptive mother was a teacher. I relinquished my rights after I saw and held my son. Catholic SS took him from the hospital. I did write a family history during pregnancy and sent cards and letters over the years. I was told he could be given the file when he reached 18. When I contacted Catholic SS several years ago, I was told those files had been destroyed because the records were moved to the State of Virginia records and there was no space to move the files.
1744. Jaimep1615 : Mother name Guadalupe aparicio Sister name Damaris aparicio
1745. DACisoDaddy : I was born in Portsmouth, VA at Maryview Hospital. My mother’s last name was Lem. While I have been in contact with her, she would provide no information about my birth father. Other family members on Birth Mother’s side suspect he was military and stationed in the area. My birth mother enjoyed dancing and spent time at the Officer’s Club. I would’ve been conceived November/December 1962. Searching for birth father/family.
1746. DebraWhiteBell : Found my mom (through the help of an search angel) Barbara June House born 1930. My name is Debra White Bell born 1-21-1956 in the old Alexandria Hospital‚ Alexandria‚ Va. Barbara gave me the name of Allison Leigh Smith at my birth. i was adopted in Aug. 1956 by Frank & Dorothy White. as I had been searching years for her‚ I would now like to find my birth father. I have NO information on him. I have done my Ancestry DNA and am enrolled in GED match
1747. Michaelxpx : Adopted in Virginia Beach, lived in a brick apartment
1748. Scottschafer : I don’t have much information I was born in Woodbridge Virginia my mother was 16 my father was 18. I was adopted at birth. I lived with my adoptive parents in the DC area for first few months. I have very distinct olive colored skin. Please feel free to contact me.
1749. AshleyC18 : I was born in Hampton Virginia and adopted at the age of 4 years old
1750. AshChass : VCU hospital Richmond, Virginia Closed adoption I think the adoption agency may have been a Catholic Agency.
1751. Odinsynne : Never really had a dad... kinda wish I didn’t have a list for a mom cause this would be easier...
1752. Dominacinereus1252 : Unknown place of birth. The mother was around 13 years old at the time and gave birth on the way back to Florida from Ohio. Her last name was Thomas and she was born in Florida in 1953. I have dna tests on most all dna testing sites, so we would match on them. Please message me because I can’t look through any matches myself.
1753. Sisi666 : Lynchburg, va. Is where I think this took place. Leann is his mother I think and I don’t know her last name. His name was John I believe and his last name was nesselroade before my biological dad signed his rights up to johns Mother’s husband who took over his rights as his dad. I’m his sister. My dads name is Bradley nesselroade
1754. 4157 : Baby girl Bass born in Richmond in February
1755. Kermit75 : All that I was told was that you were born in massachusetts, and that you were raised by maternal grandparents possibly in Arizona. I’m your aunt and I am curious if you want to know us? My brother would be your bio dad. Not sure I he ever signed your birth certificate. He is still alive but was never told where you were and left things alone. And now he is not tech savvy at all so I am searching. You do have siblings. You’d be the oldest of 5 half siblings. My brother had 4 boys including you and 1 girl.
