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
76. Katell62 : Looking for family members for medical reasons only. Would like information for adoptees son so that when asked he is able to give correct answers to his biological fathers health condition(s) to include those of his parents or bothers and sisters. Was told he was a Gonzales. He was adopted by the Dessi family. Also was told he was the youngest of a large family.
77. Bunky : Catholic Charities handled this adoption. He was given the name David Michael at birth. And he was born at St. Mary’s hospital in Richmond, VA.
78. Laura1986 : Please‚I want to know who I am
79. Paigemacaroni : I was adopted by Mary Ellen and Michael (Chris). My biological mother was named Jennifer‚ and she had two other children at that time. I have lived in Virginia my whole life‚ and I believe that’s also where I was born/adopted. I am looking for my biological father.
80. TheBecoming : I was born 1-30-79 at Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. The only information on my birth certificate is the name Mary Farmer who states she was 17 when I was born.
81. Jessaw25 : I am looking for the daughter of either Maggie or Jackie who had a relationship with Richard Eulon Walters sometime between the mid-1960’s and mid-1970’s. There was a daughter born from each of these women and I am another daughter of Richard Walters. I believe he knew Jackie’s daughter, somewhat, in the 1970’s. Maggie got married at the time she was pregnant. I believe this relationship was in the mid 60’s. All in all, I know I have two half sisters out there and I would just really like to chat with them. Richard lived in Anaheim, CA at the time. He had two brothers, William (Bill) and Michael (Mike) Walters. Michael never married though Bill Walters did marry Susan (O’Brien) Walters. Both brothers were older than he was. Richard was born in 1949. His mother is Annie Beth Parrish Walters Shuma. Harold Walters was his father. I was told I look quite a bit like one of the girls, at least I did when I was younger. So I am hoping my face might now hold some similarities.
82. 123Talia : I don’t know much at all. I know that I was born in Fairfax‚ Virginia‚ and the adoption agency was Rainbow Christian Services. I believe that I went straight in to foster care and was adopted around the age of one month. I’ve been told that I have at least two biological siblings‚ possibly one female and one male. I know that a condition called Fragile X Syndrome runs in the family.
83. Traci333 : My mom was very private‚ but i believe it could have been march 3 in 1968 I may be off by a year...My mom gave birth at depaul hospital in norfolk virginia and within a few days she had to take the baby to a lawyer where the adoptive family was waiting. Ive heard the possible name bobby ..my mom was Mary yvonne peckham at the time‚ she was single with 3 children . her maiden name is Turner..the fathers name is possibly Arnstead...(last) he was in the navy at the time . im not sure on month or year..i know it was in the spring and it was most likely 68 but could have been 69
84. Miss_taken : I don’t have much information, but I believe the name given at birth was Marie.
85. Heatherrae3536 : I am searching for my fathers birth mother and/or father. He was born in Williamsburg‚ Virginia and given the name William james Hendricks. The adoption was thru the catholic charities. I’m told the birth mother stayed at the catholic charity for some time potentially working there or volunteering after the birth. She may have also attended William and Mary College. We were told the birth mother was young and was forced to give the baby up for adoption by her family. We do not have any information on the birth father.
86. Timgrayson : im tim grayson my girlfriend stephanie stanley in 1985 gave birth to my child while going to school at chatham hall‚chatham virginia
87. Twig51 : I was born at UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA. I know I was temporarily placed in a foster home and went to my new adopted family April 13, 1984 (the same year). My birth certificate records Albemarle Co, VA as my city of birth. I do not know the names of my biological parents, but know that they were both tall and slender. My mother played the flute and my father, the guitar. Mother had allergies.
88. Teresalbeach64 : my name is Teresa Lynne Beach. I had a biracial son born july 18th 1994 in UVA hospital in charlottesville, va. all my papers were burned up years back and i have no records. the couple that adopted him said they would name him Jordon. They were from sterling, va. i gave them a letter for him to read when he turned 18. i have very serious health issues pancreatic cancer, and wish to contact my son. UPDATE: Teresa Lynne Beach was since passed. Please contact her sister: Tammy Beach
89. Teresalbeach64 : My name is Michael Joel Beach. I am searching for my real brother. My mother is dying of cancer and her greatest wish is to contact her son. He was born July 1994. My brother is biracial, as am I. All I know is he was born in Charlottesville VA. The people who adopted him were from Sterling VA and they said they were gona name him JORDON. My mother gave them a letter for him to read when he turned 18, but we have moved since then and not sure if he could locate us. Please contact my Aunt Tammy
90. Mjschoen : Adoptive parents last name is Anderson. Adoption was through Social Services in Stafford County‚ Virginia. Adoptive parents lived in Spotsylvania County‚ Virginia. Birth father is Christopher Ihlenfeld. Birth mother is Michelle (Thornbro) Schoen. Child was in the custody of maternal grandparents: Dorothy Ann (Hutchison) Black and Larry Gene Black of Stafford‚ Virginia at the time of the adoption.
