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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Virginia
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
496. Terryneal : adopted though Braley and Thomas adoption agency Radford Va to a woman named Sandra
497. KimberlyRose1978 : I was born at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, VA. One Hospital record had my mother’s first name listed as "Jeanne." I was adopted through the Catholic Home Bureau agency off of Aberdeen Dr in Hampton. I was case number 4662.
498. Pamelajanetaylor : Portsmouth Virginia Barrick
499. LaurieR : Adopted from small private hospital in Richmond, VA, possibly St Mary’s or Grace. Possible connection to Dr. Harold Nemuth. Supposedly mother was a student, 19, and was sent to live with grandmother in Richmond. May have been pre-med.
500. Bookie4life : Born at Maryview hospital in Portsmouth, VA
501. Ankerman70 : no medsage
502. GCizzle77 : Emmett Memorial Hospital C&O Hospital
503. NancyAndora : I would love to know my fathers family.
504. Jamieodu : Birth mother Dianne Killian Birth father name: Robert Gumm or Gum
505. Prayingthisworks79 : I have done several genealogy tests and had someone work on a family tree for me but my results keep changing. I know for a fact that there have been 21 young women with this same identification through the years. I was in the military and got a head injury. All I have on the genealogy tests are the basics but with them changing so much, I am not sure any of the genealogists know. The tests say that I have blue eyes and I do not.
506. Crookm10 : My brother was took from my mom by cps at the age of 6. Which would be in 1991 sometime. We aren’t sure if he was adopted or not. They never told mom nothing.
507. Dovellified : hi i am searching for my aunt tracies birth mom. she was adopted as a small baby and her mom tried to get her back when she was still little. her adopted mom died without giving her any information other than her mothers name and that she tried to get her back and failed. also she is supposed to have sisters. she would love to meet and connect with her birth mom or family!
508. Cperez1278 : Mothers Name: Donna (Thompson) Dalton DOB 3/24/51 Father’s Name: Milton Dalton Child born in Cleveland OH (or surrounding area) Adoptee would be my half sibling I believe the adoption took place on VA but I am unsure
509. Scarlettrose0914 : Name of adoptee after adoption? Jacqueline harvill Name of adoptee before adoption? (only if different) unnamed Rawson Birthdate of Adoptee Month: June Day: 3 Year:1960 State of birth? Virginia City of birth? norfolk County of Birth?norfolk Gender of Adoptee? Female Adoption Info Name of adoption agency? Name of adoption Attorney? Date of Adoption? Month: August Day: Unknown Year:1961 State of Adoption? Louisiana City of Adoption? minden County of Adoption? webster parish Family Information Name of adoptive mother? dorothy harvill Name of adoptive father? euless (jack) Harvill Name of birth mother? Rawson Name of birth father? Description: Name of adoptee after adoption? Jacqueline Harvill Name of adoptee before adoption? Unnamed Rawson Birthdate of Adoptee? June 3,1960 State of birth? Virginia City of birth? Norfolk Gender of adoptee? Female Name of adoption Attorney? Kitchens in Minden, La. attorney for adoptive parents Date of Adoption final? Month:august Day: Year: 1961 State of Adoption? Louisianna City of Adoption? minden County of Adoption? webster parish Name of adoptive mother? Dorthy Harvill Name of adoptive father? Euless Jackson Harvill Name of birth mother? only last name RAWSON False Birth certificate made and applied for in aug 1961 with untrue information such as adoptive parents listed as giving birth no record of orginal
510. Syates1024 : If this looks like a match please ask me for more details. Searching for m grandparents. My dad who was adopted passed away so I am looking for more biological family.
