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 1,204,958 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
2401. Molly-Beth : I was born February 28‚ 1982 at UVA hospital in Charlottesville. My birth mom was 19‚ birth dad was 16. I was named Jolene Alizabeth‚ prior to adoption. According to 23&Me‚ I have a great Great Uncle Alfred Samuels and a Great Uncle Ray Samuels.
2402. Masonmunse : My real name before it was changed was Mathew daniel hutson i think i was born in Roanoke va.
2403. NGKing : Christopher C Tompkins (adopting father) Josie Tompkins (adopting mother)
2404. Molly-Beth : I was born in UVA Medical Center/Hospital February 1982. I was with a foster family until I was adopted. My birth mother was 19‚ she loved to train and ride horses. She named me Jolene Alizabeth‚ (foster family called me Beth). Their names were Jerry and Sue. My father was 16‚ a Junior in high school. He lived with his family and planned to work on his family’s farm.
2405. TJSchaef : I believe I was born in Fairfax Virgina.
2406. CheyanneHart01 : Hi I’m Cheyanne. My full name before it being changed is Cheyanne Mariena Johnson. All I know of is my mother’s first name is possibly “Lauren”. She died of an “overdose”. I was a year and half. I was lucky to get adopted as a pair with my sister Kerrigan S Johnson. She was about six months. We lived in the Waynesboro Va area. When her death happened putting us in Forster care.
2407. Shawanna91 : I am looking for a closed adoption record. I am looking for my father‚ not sure if he’s alive or deceased? I am just trying to find out more information since I am working on a genealogy project.
2408. Molly-Beth : Born in UVA hospital Charlottesville VA‚ Feb 1982
2409. Ladidegrace : Hello my name is Dimond . I am looking for my cousin Robert Rendale Crawford lll . My aunt put him up for adoption I believe in King George‚ Virginia when I was a toddler and no one has heard from him since . I think there may be a possibility that his name was changed . Please help me find him.
2410. Robertaghamlin1960 : My biological mother was Cleopatra Frances Preston from Campbell Co‚ Va. She may have listed her name as Nowlin when she applied for a Social Security card for me. I was adopted by Russell and Mary Giles of Alexandria‚ Va. My birth record is issued in Texas with their names listed as my parents. My SSN was issued in Va which makes me believe that my birthplace was not Tx. For many years I wasn’t sure of my biological fathers name and recently it appears that my last name at birth was something different from what I was told. I’d like to know/meet my relatives if possible. I’d like to know more about me.
2411. SharonRister : My name is Sharon Rister looking for a brother that my mother adopted out when she was 15 years old her name is Judith Cline at the time her last name now is Judy leebrick also have a sisterivhelena brother jesse
2412. Bugdog68 : She was born in Charlottesville Virginia February 22nd 1962
2413. Chele1982 : My son was born in Newport News‚ Virginia at Riverside Regional Hospital. We did a private adoption....did not use an agency. Adoption was done in Gloucester‚ Virginia.
2414. YUNVCJ62 : They are twins boy and girl. The birth names were Chanelle Zachariah Jackson and Joshua Devontae Jackson from HopewellVA
2415. Matthew88 : INFORMATION ABOUT BIRTH MOTHER AND FAMILY.... Birth Mother was born 5/15/1957 Brown hair Hazel Eyes Medium Complexion w/freckles Nationality-German Enjoys Embroidery‚ Gardening & Fishing Birth mother has two other children... Daughter born 2/12/1985 (Brown Hair Hazel Eyes) Son born 4/3/1987 (Brown Hair Brown Eyes) Birth Mothers Father-Retired as Machinist for Richmond Times Dispatch Birth Mothers Mother- Nurse Birth Mothers Siblings...... Sister born aprox 1953 Sister born aprox 1961 Brother born aprox 1955
