Virginia Adoption Records
The world's largest adoption reunion registry for adoptees and families
Start Your Search Today
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.
Register Now Directory
5,381 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.
Search in nearby states to Virginia
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 1,185,092 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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Virginia
-
Tburroughs
37 minutes ago
-
Alexanderzumot
1 hour ago
-
Cassidywise
1 hour ago
-
Jonpreble
1 hour ago
-
Leelynd
1 hour ago
-
Mayhemsgirl279
2 hours ago
-
Nevaehmckee
2 hours ago
-
HiroCloudG85
2 hours ago
-
Frucht
3 hours ago
-
Sweetynhalf
4 hours ago
-
Smccrystal06
5 hours ago
-
Marierobinett
5 hours ago
-
ChrisH81
5 hours ago
-
MarciaMontgom
5 hours ago
-
Nasia_xo
7 hours ago
-
Jusslikeme
7 hours ago
-
Wallawalla
7 hours ago
-
Andrewgiardina
7 hours ago
-
Bvanasse3
7 hours ago
-
RudyO
7 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
16. Mta612 : Born at Catholic Charities‚ in Richmond Va. on February 14‚ 1979‚ to Karen Sharma. Adopted first name is Lisa. At least one adopting parent is from Czechoslovakia. Please contact me
17. Mccoy6981 : I am searching for my bio-half sister. She was born in Jan 1963. Possibly at Norfolk General Hospital. This is some of the information I recieved from our birth mother.
18. Jamielent09 : I’m looking for a sister. She would be younger than me. I was born in April of 1980. I have found our brother. His name is Corey. He was born in 1976. I am looking for the third child. I was told her fathers name is Frank Aversa and she was named after him‚ so her name would be Francis Aversa. I don’t know how much younger she is. Corey is 46 and I am 42‚ so our sister must be in her late 30’s. I don’t know if she was adopted or not‚ or if her name was changed like Corey and I. My name used to be Donna Toree‚ and his name used to be Robert. If it helps‚ I was born with congenital scoliosis just like our mother.
19. TennisCC2002 : I am looking to find my birth parents. Born on October 30, 1983 in Radford Virginia.
20. Chuckweary : She was very young when she had me.
21. Katietucker : Looking for my child who I gave up for adoption in June, 1971
22. Katietucker : child born in portsmouth, va in 1971 june 4 at portsmouth general hospital
23. Pufflouie : Looking for Birth family. I was born at Norfolk General Hospital.
24. Greentea : At this point the child could of been male or female. I believe the birth to be April 10 1977, Easter that year. Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Roanoke VA. I thought at the time it was for the best. The child was biracial and I came from a small town. I wasn’t mother material and knew the child would have a better chance at a good future. I was told that a Minister’s and family adopted the child. I went through Roanoke Department of Social Services for adoption. You have a sister and 2 brothers in VA. There is another brother on your father’s side. Was in Durham NC.
25. Hlokaty : Born Sept. 28, 1981 in Richmond, Va. Adopted in Roanoke, Va. I have limited background/heredity background due to closed adoption (no identifying names) by Children’s Home Society of Virginia. Info I do have: Birth mother was 23, divorced, already had a 3 year old boy at the time and unsure of the father (one was a farmer, the other a college student). She was blue eyed, brownish hair and fair complexion. She had 5 siblings. Her family heredity: near sightedness was common in her family, also someone was legally blind due to german measles. I was adopted through children’s home society of Virginia, born sept 28, 1981 in Richmond, Va.
26. Cin051270 : I am curious as to whether either of my biolical parents are alive and interested in possible contact. This is not because I don’t feel loved by my lifelong adoptive family, but simply a natural curiosity about my heredity. I was born in Roanoke, Va. . The adoption was done through Catholic Services. Even if you are not at all interested in knowing me, I would very much appreciate at least knowing about any potentially significant family medical history so that I can have the same advantage as people who know theirs, and so that my sons can, too.
27. Cin051270 : I am someone’s grateful daughter, for bringing me into the world as a brown-eyed baby girl in Roanoke, Virginia on May 12th, 1970. A Nun introduced my Catholic adoptive family to me when I was 3 days old. I love my family and they love me just as if I share in their gene pool. I am, however, intrigued by the possibility of possibly making contact with any biological family, or at the very least, just knowing how much alike or different I am from my biological family.
28. Cin051270 : I’m wondering if I have any siblings or half-siblings. Perhaps your mother once told you that she had a child that she gave to an adoptive family in Roanoke, VA, when she was (20 or so) years old. Could I be a biological sister to you?
29. Brianattorney : If my blood relatives wanted to contact me, I want to be able to be found. Adopted at birth, born in norfolk VA, i think to teenage parents.
30. DIXIEOM : Given name Melinda Kay Luck. Born at Johnston Willis Memorial Hospital in Richmond,VA. July 12th 1971. Birth mother would have been about 17 years old. Birth mother had at least 2 younger brothers. Birth mothers father was Railroad worker (engineer?). Birth mother may not have necessarily been from Virginia. Birth mother was in a maternity home up until my birth. Not much info about birth father as I do not believe he knew, but would have been around 20years old from the non Id information.
