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 1,204,964 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.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
2101. Estephania : Mom name is Edith Ramirez-Corona.
2102. RichardAllenTaylor : Regina wiiliams (Taylor)birth mother.Richard Taylor birth father.
2103. Becky2000 : Am looking for my birth mother and/or her 2 daughters (my half sisters). I was born in Richmond VA in 1958. My mother already had 2 daughters and I was given up for adoption due to their financial circumstances as well as some personal circumstances surrounding my mother and her husband. My mother’s husband at the time of my birth‚ is not my biological father. My mother would now be 84-86 and my sisters would be about 66 & 70. The day after I was born‚ my mother relinquished me to the Children’s Home Society of Virginia. My mother told her family that I died at birth‚ but I’m hoping as the years have passed‚ that she may have finally told someone about my birth.
2104. Thelmaparks : Mother’s name Nellie Marie Castle Gilliam. Father’s name James Ezra Gilliam. Child was taken some time after birth. Probably after 6 months of age by Lee County Department of social services. Address would have probably been Duffield Virginia adresss but was Lee County no Scott County due to mail route.
2105. Wgregory434 : I am searching for my birth parents‚ I was born in West Virginia and placed in foster care at birth. I was in a foster home in Roanoke‚ VA until my adoption was finalized at 3months old. I performed an Ancestry DNA test and found some close cousins but no one knows who my parents could be. My adopted parents didn’t get any history on my biological family except my mother had at least 3 other children other than me. There were a set of twins amongst them‚ girls I think. I have been searching for my family since I was 16 years old‚ I just want to fill this empty space and know where I came from.
2106. LisaChantManthey : My birth name was Alicia Larae Coon. The Arlington County Department of Human Resources approved the application to adopt on 2-20-69. My sister‚ Gail Ann Coon‚ and I were adopted by my adoptive parents on 1-2-70‚ as signed by Judge Charles S. Russell. The law firm of Thomas‚ Williams‚ Gwaltney and King at 1400 North Uhle Street ‚ Court Square West Bldg.‚ Arlington‚ Virginia 22201 were used in this process. On the Final Order of Adoption papers there is a Channcery No. 19443. My adoptive parents names are Robert J. and Sally A. Chant.
2107. DiadraNicole : Name given at birth is Diadra Nicole‚ it is now march 2022 I’m 26 years old . I long to know my biological family ! Or even just meet them I have so many questions . I’ve dreamt about you every day .🙏🏽
2108. Familysecrets : Looking for possible niece. Her name may have been Jennifer (Jenifer?) Ann Crump. Biological father Tommy Crump biological mother Tammy McDonald. Born in Alexandria‚ VA.
2109. Teresamae : Southall is my family name on my birth certificate
2110. Kody1969 : All I know is I was born in Williamsburg va but we li Ed in Richmond Virginia my adoptive parents were nunious and Peggy Hall .I was named Janine hall
2111. Jennaday1994 : My sister and I gott separated but was born in Richmond Virginia and was through Lutheran family service her name is Elizabeth horton and mine was Jennifer Horton.
2112. KJB1965NYC : Looking for birth mother Hi‚ my brother received his original birth certificate from NYC vital statistics as the state of New York opened up all its closed adoptions for anyone over the age of 18. His mother’s name was listed as Barbara Mitchell‚ born in Virginia around 1945. According to his birth certificate‚ she gave birth to my brother at the age of 20 while living or visiting NYC. ( no month or day listed for her birthday she would be around 76 years old this year. Post adoption Birth certificate information for my brother Kenneth James Burton‚ both adopted parents are deceased buried in Long Island‚ NY. VETERANS CEMETERY His original birth name was : *Kevin Mitchell‚ born at 11:53 am Metropolitan Hosp‚ Manhattan‚ NYC Her address at the time of his birth was: 238 west 101 st Mantthan‚ NYC Mother Born in VA (no city listed) 1 May 2021 my brother received his Pre-Adoption Birth Certificate from NYC health department Our biological father was named Nathaniel Roberts Jr. Born in Virginia in 1945 and moved to Manhattan (HARLEM) NY five years later. Unfortunately he passed away in 2002 at age 56 yr.‚ he was also an Army veteran as well. My brother is eager to find his biological mother any siblings and extended family.
2113. DestineyRoseMartinez : Looking for a sibling who is searching for me. I am Destiney Rose Martinez Fisher who was born in Iowa City Iowa. My mom is Rachel Fisher and dad is Gonzalo Martinez.
2114. RickiBittle : Mother would be Janet Poplin from Elkin‚ NC
2115. Lookingforian12 : LYNCHBURG‚ IAN MICHAEL GRAHAM
