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.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
931. LHKinkade : We are looking for a child born around 1935-1940. The birth mother was Masako Fukumoto and she gave birth to a daughter (whose name we think was Reiko). Any help would be appreciated!
932. Lisacotner : Born in roanoke VA on july 12 1990. adoption service was catholic charities.
933. Concernedbro : Trying to find my niece. Her mother was forced to give her up for adoption immediately after birth. The baby girl was 7lbs and born in Selmer, TN on Aug 8-9th 1999 with brown hair and brown eyes.
934. MakaylaLassiter : My name is Makayla Lassiter and I am searching for my brothers Brandon Alexander Lassiter and William Lassiter. Brandon was born on 11/29/2001 and William was born July 11th 2006in Richmond, Virginia. Our mother is Demetrice Lassiter. I was a toddler around the time that the adoption took place so I don’t have many details. Brandon was adopted through the Child Home Society in Richmond, my mother receives updates about him but she hasnt told him about me or William. Unfortunately I never got the chance to meet William because he was adopted at birth but Brandon and I were best friends.I am now 20 years old and would just like to be reunited with my brothers again . Brandon is 16 years old and attends Tuckahoe Middle School. Also I believe that his adoptive parents are a Caucasian couple. This is all the information I have regarding Brandon and I don’t know anything about Williams adoption because it was closed. If anyone has any information concerning my brothers please email me. Thank you.
935. Mzvajones : I’m searching for my son that I was made put up for adoption. It was through the children’s home society in Richmond VA. This is 2018 and you would be 21 now. I wrote you a letter that may or may not have been given to you.
936. Kandygirl27 : Born in Suffolk virginia....adoption by Suffolk Social services
937. Singram83 : My husbands father, who passed away in 2009 was adopted by a family member. There was a big secret in the family and it passed with his adopted mother. We want to find his real parents. Can you help him/us? Thank you His name is David Ingram birth in 1955 or so, in March in Virginia. Adopted by Martha Cannaday and William Ingram. sheena ingram
938. Mae68 : Born in Norfolk Virginia -
939. IS0theTruthMA : Looking for the birth FATHER, by the name of Maurice Arnold who was living in Springfield, VA in 1962. He was in the Army and subsequently went A.W.O.L. after learning he got Jill Michele Johnson, from Alexandria Va, pregnant
940. IS0theTruthMA : Looking for birth FATHER - named Maurice Arnold, living in Springfield VA in 1962
941. Rkestner : My mother’s name is Norma Jean (Cannon) Kestner from Glade-springs ,Virginia
942. Jennaleeg : Hello, my biological father had a child with a woman in 1988 but he does not remember the exact month and day. The woman gave the child up for adoption as soon as she was born. The woman’s name is Kimberly L Stout
943. Scrossauthor1975 : I am not looking for any miraculous relationship. I just want to know where I came from and if I have any siblings or half-siblings. I am also suffering from a very rare condition, among other things, and would like to know if anyone else among my birth family has these conditions. I’d also like my birth family to know I have children, and I’d like to be able to tell my children more about where I came from. As my age advances, doctors are constantly asking for my family medical history, so that would be helpful information to have.
944. Ddshrodes : I am looking for my birth father. My birth mother was Sally Alley of Highland Springs (Richmond) Virginia. My birth parents were not married. My birth father would have either Greek/Balkan/Italian heritage among possible others. I have tested at AncestryDNA, 23 and Me, Family Tree DNA. I was born in Norfolk, VA. I would have been conceived in November or December of 1965.
945. Findinglittlebro : Looking for youngest son of Casper and Dorothy Sorey. Adopted before he was a year old.
