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
2311. Jamesiv : Searching for birth name Cienna Ashley Pfeil born in Arlington Virginia
2312. Elvira39 : im looking for my son grant joesph stockton hicks born martch 6 98 i have been looking for you for 20 yrs tazeweell co cps was involved
2313. 1Delilah : Father is William C Campbell Mother is Delilah A Chittum Brother is Jeremy Aston Brown Joshua Luke Campbell Father who adopted Michelle R Campbell was Randall Lee Jamerson
2314. ABfurnsculpt : I’m trying to find my mother’s sister. She was born in 1968 in Indianapolis‚ Indiana. I do not know state the adoption occurred. I do know that the birth mother turned 26 in 1968. The birth father was around 40. All this information has only been revealed by the birth mother in the past year. I have DNA on Adopted‚ Ancestry‚ 23andMe‚ MyHeritage‚ FamilytreeDNA‚ and GEDmatch. We’d really need that to match. -Nephew ❤️ Adoptee: Female DOB 1968 Indianapolis‚ Indiana Birth mother maiden name: Hodnett DNA matches may include Hodnett Russell Hale French
2315. Cathybnn : I am searching for a niece that my oldest sister gave up for adoption. Don’t know when or where she was actually born she would be roughly 55/56 years old and possibly born in Virginia
2316. Lookingforyou2023 : We our looking for our sibling who wa sput up for adoption. Their birth mothers name would have been Judith Marlene Daly.
2317. Brittany8140 : My name is Brittany fowler. I’m searching for my sister whose name is Hannah Lynn Hatcher/ Or Fowler. Our biological mother’s name is Tammy Fowler. Hannah is a mixed (white/black) 7 year old female. I’m looking for her because I want her to know she has a sister out here who does care about her and love her. I never really had contact with my biological brothers until I was 18 and I don’t want that for my sister. I only seen her about a hand full of times as she was growing up. I would love to see her now and let her meet me.
2318. Wolfe0809 : I miss you guys.
2319. Bautumnt : My name is Britney Taylor. I am 24 years old (06.22.1999)‚ born in Hampton‚ VA. I was placed into the adoption agency and shortly after‚ adopted by two white foster parents. We then moved to Norfolk (2002-2011). All I know is my birth mother did crack or cocaine while pregnant with me‚ and this caused very severe withdrawals for the first 2 years of my life. I’ve always wanted to know who my mother is‚ and if I have siblings. I have no negative feelings‚ I just feel like I am at an age where I’m really learning about who I truly am. I feel like having more information about my family will help on my self-love and acceptance journey. My birth name was Destiny‚ I believe. My adoption was closed and sealed. I’ve been through a lot of trauma‚ abuse‚ addiction‚ mental illnesses‚ and anxiety‚ yet I don’t allow that to put me down. I’m very creative‚ talented when it comes to art. I love painting and have sold several of my pieces. i love music. I love scary movies‚ funny movies‚ crime shows‚ and reality TV. I just want to connect with a family member and see if maybe there are people who look like me‚ and have similar interests. I’m married now‚ living in Minnesota‚ and my adoptive family is 2000 miles away‚ in Arizona. I just feel like I’m alone.
2320. NPon : I have been living with my adopted parents my entire life and love them very much. I am trying ti get in contact with my birth parents because I would like to get to know them and find out more about who I am.
2321. 178002mom : Tyler dewayne carden. Has siblings adopted brandon lee cahill birthdate 1/3/2000 who he was last known to be with. The oldest child was born on 1/11/1999. Austin was adopted out by radford va dss. Not sure exact yr. Brandon was adopted out with austin at that time to my understanding. Both brandon and tyler were born at new river valley medical center. And austin michael carden was born in radford community hospital. Brandon and tyler adopted out by montgomery county dss in chistiansburg va.
2322. Lostlea : Donna Michelle Hawkins Richard Lee Hawkins Starla Johnson Glen Johnson
2323. GracieJacob2023 : Hi‚ my name is Grace.. I was adopted by another agency. I was adopted by Kim and Rikki.. I’m hoping to find my birth brother‚ he was adopted by ABC agency in VA. his name is Jacob.. he has an older brother named Ryan and his father (I think) was a navy pilot named Jim‚ he had a wife. I hope I can reconnect with him as I am in connection with our other bio siblings.. I’m sure your really cool as well.
2324. 4Campbells : Looking for my husbands adopted son.
2325. Sailcerces : I am looking for the birth parents of my mother‚ Della Clay‚ born in Norfolk. She passed in 2020 but I would love to find any relatives of her birth parents.
