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
5,901 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.
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 1,204,964 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
-
Angelramirez
36 minutes ago
-
Baylor100
44 minutes ago
-
Grannymylissa
1 hour ago
-
Chasitytsmith
1 hour ago
-
JosephALyons
1 hour ago
-
Annikarayfield
1 hour ago
-
Greshamkj
2 hours ago
-
Sasha2kennedy4
2 hours ago
-
Abriannacampb
3 hours ago
-
Jayb114
3 hours ago
-
DeanRileyD
3 hours ago
-
MalorieS
3 hours ago
-
JAIMIEDAVIS13
3 hours ago
-
Clesly2017
3 hours ago
-
Reco
3 hours ago
-
Juliestevens17
3 hours ago
-
Momma7717
3 hours ago
-
Torieparsons
4 hours ago
-
Tamaragreen225
4 hours ago
-
Bender9
4 hours ago
A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Virginia Who Chose To Be Featured
1306. WhitleyVA : Born at MCV on 11/22/1968. Mothers last name was Whitley. Adoption handled by Richmond Social Services. My temporary first name may have been Patricia or Tishy. I was in foster care for nearly 18 months.
1307. Kinnes : Born in Lynchburg Virginia. Adopted in Raleigh/Durham North Carolina
1308. LisaRagone : Born at Roanoke Memorial Hospital Born to an unwed couple. Adopted at one day old I think Dr Boyd was the doctor
1309. Tonyadruffin4 : I’m looking for my nephew his birth name is James Douglas Ruffin the last time I seen him he was about 3yrs old he’s my sister’s son her name is Sharon Ann Ruffin she passed away in 1991
1310. SarahSearching81 : I am looking for my birth father. My birth mother, Janet, passed away before giving me any information on him except the fact he was married at the time she got pregnant. He lived in Virginia BEach and I believe was a member of the pipefitters union.
1311. KTanner138 : I had an Ancestry DNA test done. My older sibling supposedly died shortly after birth in Virginia. I have reason to believe s/he was born healthy, then stolen and sold on the black market in any state. A white baby born April 20, 1978 at Petersburg General Hospital in Virginia, but would be listed as born elsewhere. The hospital records were destroyed in a mysterious fire in the early 1980s. The birthday would have been changed, as would any other identifying information. She was born a girl, though my parents "were not allowed" to see the baby after birth. My mother heard her baby crying healthily from the other side of the curtain after her forced scheduled 8am c-section, 8:20 something was the birth time. It is possible it was really a boy. The doctor informed my parents of the "death" 90 minutes later at 10am. He insisted on never seeing the baby due to the grotesqueness of her. She supposedly had complete anencephaly, missing basically her entire head that never formed. A baby cannot cry without a head to cry from, missing vital structures essential for that bodily function, let alone survive 1.5 hours. There was a closed casket memorial service, nothing more. The death certificate listed time of death in the 3am hour of April 20th, 5 hours before s/he was actually born. The time has also been altered in some way on the certificate.There is no telling what other information was changed, and to what extent. False birth information would have been provided to vital statistics, around the same time the false death information was submitted on April 24, 1978. The baby would have been adopted soon after by a family that thought it was an honest, closed adoption from a young, unwed mother. This would result in false information given to the child later on. In a nutshell, I am looking for a white adult born early-mid 1978 that believes the wrong facts about their biological parents, adopted in anywhere USA. I have no clue as to where to start my search. Our family genes are strong. A boy would look like my grandfather, father, brother, and nephew. A girl would like like my grandmother, mother, daughters, and myself. I only hope to find the truth before it’s too late. My entire family, parents and grandparents, have passed away. My younger brother knows no more than I do. There is simply nobody left to collaborate with. Thank you for listening. Whether you feel this could be yourself or not, I wish you luck in your own search.
1312. Bebrady : Baby boy named "Sean" initially. Born in South Boston, Virginia.
1313. Csb574 : My sister is looking for her birth mother. She was born on February 17th 1968 in Radford Virginia. She was adopted at birth and would love to find her birth mother.
1314. Sueloving78 : Looking for a possible brother who was adopted in Alexandria, VA some time in the 70’s. Thinking he was born between 69 and 71 Birth name was Daniel Wolverton and birth mother was Alice Frances Wolverton. Mother passed away in 72.
1315. Desiree25 : Cherry Coleman is the birth mother and gave birth in Augusta Georgia
1316. Panda67 : Just curious about medical info and my background.
1317. Kimhutchinson : I was named Michelle Lynn. I was adopted thru Va Beach Social Services in Va Beach, VA
1318. Cocolala : Linda Lee Sloan (mother) James Tolbert (father) Collin Sloan (given birth name) Born in Norfolk, Virginia on 21 March 1966
1319. Adam2007ray : My sisters name was Hannah Marie Huddleston born June 16 I believe it was 04 or it could’ve been 05 she was adopted in Mecklenburg county Virginia and I’ve been trying to find her I wrote a letter to the courts asking to reach out to the people that adopted her They said they didn’t waste to have outsiders contact them and they said they put it in her file for when she turned 18
1320. Gscourby : Kathy and michael scourby
