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 1,205,525 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
811. Krissyjane : The hospital was VCU medical hospital in Richmond VA, My birth mom’s name is Courtney Anne mason and my grandfathers name is Clyde T mason.
812. LeslieGrimet0331 : I have a half sister, we share the same Mom. I believe born at Washington Hospital Center in DC. I believe her adopted name is Lisa. Lisa’s family also adopted another child at some point. Lisa moved from the DC Metro area I believe. She may have been adopted from Montgomery County MD Department of Social Service. I was told my birth Mother’s name is Brenda Ann, but I do not know if this was her true name. I was told the Brenda is from VA, but near TN.
813. Tagcoleman1 : I’m looking for Stephen Anthony Gentry. We were at the welfare office in Charlottesville Va. I know there was 4 of us two girls two boys. but have found out that there was 12-13 of us, our Mother was married several times I was told her name was Verta Martin Gentry. Child welfare Charlottesville va, Mrs McDonald was my case worker in 1967. We were in Scottsville Va when we were found and put up for adoption.
814. 268455 : I am searching for my father’s birth parents. He was born on June 6th or 8th, 1950 somewhere near Roanoke Virginia. His birth mother may have had the last name of St. Clair but that has not been confirmed. This was a closed adoption.
815. Wlm336 : Birth certificate states 15th day of May 1953 . city Richmond , Henrico county , USA. Adoption paper final decree in the matter of Jimmy Dalton from circuit court of Henrico County July 1954 .
816. Lbtaylor : The only thing that I know is my birth mothers name is Barbara Daniels. I have one sibling born before me and I don’t know how many after me. I was born in Richmond, Va.
817. JenniferB2018 : looking for jordan craig cathell born to beth cathell from new castle delaware in late 1997 or early 1998
818. Ekim1212 : I am looking to establish a link to a son who was adopted in Alexandria, Virginia in 1966. I have some generic medical conditions that may be of some help to him in the future. I know the birth mother’s name and only recently found the name of the boy before his adoption. The birth certificate lists Patricia Anne Young as the birth mother and Myles Michael Gittin as the birth father. The baby’s name was Michael Young and the adoption agency was Catholic Charities. Some years ago I did a DNA test with Ancestry, but have never received any inquiries about the results. I would like to know that he had a good life with loving parents. I have since found the he was probably born in GW Hospital in Washington, DC.
819. Brittneyhatcher131 : my name is Brittney Hatcher. my mother put my sister up for adoption in Roanoke Va around March or April of 1992 or 1991. it was a closed adoption. my mother’s name is Monica Dixon. I’ve been looking for years to find my sister please help. I was told her name might be Amy or Amiee or Amee
820. Michellem74 : Looking for my son
821. Jimmy123456 : I just want to meet and talk to them to see were i come from.
822. Nicolewilkins32 : I was adopted along with my twin sister in Richmond Virginia in 1992 at Chippenham Hospital. This was through Catholic Charities. We MIGHT be black, Italian and French (mom believes she remembers nurse saying bio mom might be french/italian). Birth father (may not know of us) was black. Adopted by a black dad, white mother. We may have had two other biological siblings prior to our birth
823. Nicolewilkins32 : I was adopted along with my twin sister in Richmond Virginia in 1992 at Chippenham Hospital. This was through Catholic Charities. We MIGHT be black, Italian and French (mom believes she remembers nurse saying bio mom might be french/italian). Birth father (may not know of us) was black. Adopted by a black dad, white mother. We may have had two other biological siblings prior to our birth
824. Crystal74 : Looking for my birth father possibly attending Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Va
825. Crystal74 : Looking for birth father
