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 1,204,964 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
-
Angelramirez
54 minutes ago
-
Baylor100
1 hour ago
-
Grannymylissa
1 hour ago
-
Chasitytsmith
1 hour ago
-
JosephALyons
2 hours ago
-
Annikarayfield
2 hours ago
-
Greshamkj
3 hours ago
-
Sasha2kennedy4
3 hours ago
-
Abriannacampb
3 hours ago
-
Jayb114
3 hours ago
-
DeanRileyD
3 hours ago
-
MalorieS
3 hours ago
-
JAIMIEDAVIS13
4 hours ago
-
Clesly2017
4 hours ago
-
Reco
4 hours ago
-
Juliestevens17
4 hours ago
-
Momma7717
4 hours ago
-
Torieparsons
4 hours ago
-
Tamaragreen225
4 hours ago
-
Bender9
5 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
1756. Sboyd18 : I was born in Roanoke, VA May 18, 1985. Closed apodtion and the one piece of paperwork I have says my biological mom was in college and from the midwest. I went to a foster home for three months then was adopted.
1757. Bettyp500 : Birth mother is Cynthia Bonney. Birth father is African American with the last name of Spears.
1758. Michelle_Olmstead : I recently learned that my mom gave up a baby girl for adoption in 1965. Mom worked in the DC area at the time. It was a private adoption. The date mom gave me was 2/22/65 and the given name was Candice Marie. Please reach out if you’d like to connect. I don’t have any other details except the adopting parents were friends of a friend of my mom’s. If you think we might be related please reach out. I can share my mom’s name as well. I hope to find you sis!
1759. Julie824 : Mothers name: Karen Welsh Lived in Alexandria Virginia Gave birth at Fairfax Hospital
1760. Michy1380 : My sister and I are looking for our twin sisters. Their names at birth are Anna Bedesa Fosness and Judy Maria Fosness. They were born Jan 27 1975 at the Good Samaritan Hospital, at that time called the Lebanon Valley General also Hyman S Caplan in Lebanon, PA. Birth Mothers name is Barbara Fosness
1761. Sallylewis : Adoptee may have been placed in her Norfolk, VA family by Capt. Dr. J. Howard Brennan, USN, M.D. DNA evidence does not point to him being the father although they shared the same hair color. Many different stories about her origin were told by various relatives. Some of those were that she was the granddaughter of a judge in NC, that she was from Washington (NC, D.C.?), that she came from a home for unwed mothers possibly in Norfolk. She may have been the daughter of a sailor the doctor knew.
1762. Charbit1962 : I sincerely want to connect with my birth parents. I am approaching 58 and believe it is time to try. Thank you
1763. Josh89 : Ny kids was placed in adoption through Hampton Virginia social services and cps while i was incarcerated due to me not being able to contact family members while in custody fast enough causing me to loose my babies they was taken away from. Me i just wish they gave me more time
1764. Oliviastalnik : White Male born in Albelmarle County Virginia.
1765. JessJessieJessica : My name is Jessica, I was adopted close to 3 yrs old and my sister with me at under 2yrs old. We are half sisters, same mother, different father’s. I am looking for my biological father, I am told his name is Jesse Hoffman but that could be untrue. I was named after him supposedly. He was a red head with beard and was a bike rider I think with a tattoo/s on his arm. My adoption took place in East TN. But I have no idea where he was born or where him and my mother even met. He just went with her, had me, and disappeared basically. Please help me find him, I may have other siblings to, and I’ve always just wanted to know.
1766. Marieutz : Jeremy Deon Smart
1767. AutumnDawnW : I was born at Riverside Hospital in Newport News Va. To Shirley Watson she was dating Richard Mcquillan {he is not my father} who was an EMT at the time. She moved back to Georgia either Hortense or Atlanta in or around 1979/1980. I have older siblings who were in Georgia with her parents that were removed by DCF in 1978/1979
1768. Cparker2003 : I was born in norfolk virginia. My adoption was finalized a year later. I know my adoptive mother was in contact with my biological mother for a few years, just sending a card with what is new in my life and a picture of me near my birthday. That was a deal made with the adoption agency and we used to send them through the adoption agency and once the year that the deal ended they got rid of where she lived and everything so i have no way of contacting her. From what i understand my bio father left when my bio mother became pregnant so he is not really in the picture.
1769. Bphelps : The person I am researching is named Sharon Gay Phelps. Adopted by Beverly Gay Pomin Phelps (1936-1999). Possibly Virginia.
1770. Stephenkeaton : I was adopted by Joe and Mary Keaton in Roanoke VA in 1975
