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 1,204,962 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
1966. Aaylo01 : Aaron Taylor Melanie Beers Phoenix NY Syracuse NY Virginia
1967. Willi18 : Adoption took place in Fairfax County. Was in foster home for 3 months.
1968. RayWill : I’m looking for my cousin who birth name was Cherice Nicole Kitt. Her mother is Glennette Kitt and her father name is Michael Edwards. Her current age is probably between 40-42
1969. KatieM22 : I continue to search for my birth parents or any potential biological family. My name is Catherine and I was born on November 24, 1983 in Richmond, Virginia. This was Thanksgiving Day in 1983. I was adopted on February 14, 1984 and I continue to remain in Richmond. I am so hopeful that I can make a connection with someone/anyone with whom I am related on this site and reconnect after all these years. Please, reach out if there are any consistencies with a family member that you are searching for.
1970. BaneFamily : I am searching for the Children of my biological father Carl Garland Bane. I know that I have two older brothers, both possibly born in Virginia or West Virginia to their mother, possibly Betty or Barbra Bane. She was married to our father, and was his first wife, and was married to him through out his career in the Navy for a couple of years. They moved to Florida, and divorced there. He married my mother which was his second wife, and when she was pregnant with me, my mother told me she had come to see my mother, and told her that she had remarried and her boys were going to be adopted by her new husband, possibly a Florida Deputy Sheriff.
1971. AishaHiggins : Our Mom name was Denise Handy your birth name was Troy I have been looking for you for so long my name is Aisha Higgins now
1972. Virginia1981 : Birth mother: Kristen O’Connor Page Born: Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, VA Looking for birth father
1973. Jones3612 : Tommy wray ayers Roanoke virginia Welfare Hi tommy im ur sister i wanna find u an kristina u guys have 6 other siblings an neices an nephews an even a great nephew
1974. Clschaefer1 : Lisa Compitiello Debbie Laining Janet Newby Paula Gutzke Isabel Compitiello Richmond, VA
1975. Nicosfamily : Mixed Race Caucasian - Hispanic Birth mother - Casey Martinez-Hernandez Taken by DHS in Slidell, LA around March 2006. Adopted between November 2006 and 2008.
1976. Nonna221 : My mother told me his name is Tommy Pugh and he was adopted to someone in Galax, VA.
1977. MartinsvilleBaby73 : Searching for any family members of a boy born in Martinsville, VA on February 3, 1973. Baby photo in profile
1978. MPG144 : Adopted in Fairfax Co. VA, raised in Springfield, VA, may have been born in hospital in DC
1979. Kristee7777 : I am looking for my 2 half-brothers that were adopted at birth. I am not sure of the years but they would have been born between 1988-1993. Born at either Riverside Hospital or Mary Immaculate Hospital. Mother’s name is Kelly. Her birthdate is 2/3/66. My sisters and I have been searching for years.
1980. Haleyfolk : my name is haley‚ i was adopted right out of the hospital‚ looking for my birth mom.
