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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5,900 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 1,205,521 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.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
1801. Staceyhayden : I was born in Newport News, VA at Riverside Hospital. Local attorney handled paperwork.
1802. Newgirl101 : I’m looking for my son who I gave up for adoption in 1980. I signed the papers in Virginia but he was in foster care in Maryland at the time. He was born at the Women’s Hospital in Washington DC
1803. Elliot64 : My adopted father, John Robertson Elliot, was in the Navy stationed in Norfolk, he and my adopted mother, Maxine Faye Elliot, had applied to adopt a child while stationed in Norfolk, (no idea of agency or how the applied) no idea how long they had to wait from application to adoption, once I was born they were notified of my birth, they then drove to Robert E Lee Hospital in Charlottesville to pick me up a few days after my birth of July 7, 1964. I have only been told that my birth mother had long red hair and that my biological parents had too many children and couldn’t afford another child. I would like to know of my birth parents and if I have any siblings, that is my main purpose of this search.
1804. Ferretbk : I was born in Richmond, Va 3 December 1976 I was put up for adoption with Catholic Charities. I was required to undergo surgery for pyloric stenosis within the first 3 months. I was adopted by Tom and Linda Kullman and spent most of my childhood as a military brat. After spending the mid 80s in Europe weaved back to the states and VA eventually settling in Springfield, VA I graduated from West Springfield High School in 95 after being very active in the theatre department. Following high school I met my future wife in 96 and our daughter was born in 97 and we were married in 99. We have two other kids both boys born in 2001 and 2015, and now have a 2 year old granddaughter. I have had several different occupations as well as having a film and TV background. I spent 13 years in the Army mostly as a Public Affairs Specialist deploying 3 times. I got out of the military in 2016. For the last 3 years we’ve lived in central Florida working as Cast Members at Walt Disney World. I have one older (also adopted) brother who lives in Richmond and a niece. My father unfortunately passed away in April after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. My mother still lives in Springfield. On a personal note I recently came out as transgender and have been transitioning for just over a year. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been accepted by my family and friends and very happy to be in this journey.
1805. Jim59 : Adoption record gives baby boy #19711, May 1st 1961 final decree in Princess Anne county, Virginia. Family member states he joined the family as an infant, possibly shortly after birth.
1806. Catfromva : Hello! My sister was born Aug 25 1983. She is years older than me and 2 years older than our middle brother. My mom states she was in a adoption home for unwed mothers. She was exactly 20 years old when she gave birth. She says Annapolis Maryland in an adoption home agency- sent there by her church Thomas Road Baptist Church- she said the home she lived in could house up to 15 girls at a time (not 3 like at "A Mary’s house") and all the girls called her the Jerry Falwell girl because they knew what church she was "shipped from". It has taken me 31 years to pry this information out of our mother, and she has finally gave me BARELY (I’ll take it)
1807. SPOWELL2014 : IM looking to located my father biological family, we do not know much and have not got much to by at all he was adopted by Howard and Meta Mowry and was for small when he was adopted we did’nt find out til about 3 years ago that he was adopted
1808. Nanato3ducks : I was born April 10 1965 at Fairfax Memorial Hospital in Virginia and given up immediately after birth. I was placed in an orphanage until around 3 months of age. I do not have any information about my biological parents.
1809. Dtaylor13 : Charles Taylor,
1810. Christinag88 : BIRTH MOTHER IS JUDITH
1811. Mowens69 : Yes, my name is Melissa Leigh Owens, maiden name dalton, previous married name nicely, I am search for my daughter, Victoria Ann nicely, name at the time of birth, birthday is April 26, 1988, she was born in Roanoke Virginia at carillon Roanoke memorial hospital, her and her sister, who we trying to find, at time going thru divorce, Roanoke city social services had her, believed is was put up for adoption thru Roanoke city, social services in Roanoke Virginia, trying to find her, let her know her birth family misses her and loves her, and would love to find her.
1812. Janine1962 : My birth mother was living in Arlington, Virginia. I believe she had another daughter named Deborah or Debra. Florence May have been married at the time.
1813. Dvance4 : she was born in hospital in Fairfax Va and adopted through Catholic Charities
1814. Jsporkin1 : I was born in Norfolk VA
1815. SelenaHill : My sister was adopted maybe in around 2002-3 when I was about 2 years old. I haven’t spoken to her since. I know my mom kept contact with the family for a while but that stopped. I would just like to know where she is and how she is doing.
