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 1,205,528 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
1411. HazelSmith : My mother was born Eva Ann Mercer on 5/13/1948.
1412. Missyousweetie : Your name I gave you was Holly Lynn Brawn. That was your name before you were adopted. I gave you up for adoption in Concord, NC in 2016. You were born October 2, 2015 at CMC Northeast in NC.
1413. ML62867 : Born in Richmond Virginia, June 28, 1967
1414. JGaines92 : I was born in Richmond Virginia at MCV hospital
1415. Candice3286 : Obici hospital Ivan Smith Suffolk va
1416. Ebarnette15 : My mother‚ Sandra Leigh Sandlin‚ gave up a baby girl for adoption in December of either 1968 or 1969. I’m unsure if she was adopted in Virginia or elsewhere‚ but she was born in Roanoke Virginia.
1417. Lovenatchez : I was born at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, VA on July 13, 1992 before being put up for adoption. To my understanding, I have older brothers and sisters. I am a male.
1418. Tdsmoot2005 : Marre Clinton Lawrence
1419. WarrenZink : City of Richmond Retreat For The Sick Hospital Doctor Hooker
1420. JasmineAyers : I don’t know much about my brother. Except that as far as I know he was adopted before I was born. We shared the same father, brad Ayers, but had different mothers. He was around 2 or 3 when I was born so I would say he probably was born in 1997 or 1996.
1421. Casakelash : I was adopted by my grandparents. I know who my birth mother is. I have an idea of who my birth father is. I really just would like to see my adoption records.
1422. Ceconnerjr : I was a 19 year old student from Suffolk, VA visiting my best friend at Virginia Tech in late fall of 1967, when I met a young lady on campus (near Pritchard Hall). Don’t recall much, seem to remember her name was Deborah, told me she was a student from Radford, VA. An unplanned surprise pregnancy occurred, and I was advised by our mutual friend at Tech that she claimed this would be my child. Her father reportedly didn’t want me to have any contact at all with his daughter or their family, and I agreed to this stipulation. Was advised by same mutual friend that a healthy baby (with blue eyes like mine) was born probably late summer/early fall 1968, and would possibly be given up for adoption. I seem to recall the mother’s said her father worked for a syndicated newspaper business (KIng?), perhaps headquartered out of NYC, but just a vague recollection. I have always wanted to determine father-child relationship, and to find out if my child would be interested in knowing me at all (even if just for medical history), or to even meet me at some point. I’d love to, if any mutual interest. I have taken the Ancestry DNA test. This is my hope, and where I’m starting 51 years later.
1423. MichaelFloydHaynes : My biological mothers name is Laura Virginia Henley born 1944 in Virginia my biological fathers name is James Edward Haynes born 1943 in Texas. resided at Magnolia St. Lot#26 VA. Beach, VA. 23462 according to my original birth certificate. My name was Michael Floyd Haynes and my adopted name is Michael Alan Schultz. My adopted parents are deceased.
1424. Altonio86 : Tamika Thornton
1425. Alligood : Hospital is front royal, city is front royal Adopted son name is John Kent Alligood sr
