| Virginia Adoption Laws page #8 of 8 |
Virginia
Who May Access Information
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 63.2-1246; 63.2-1247
Nonidentifying information may be disclosed to:
• The adopted person who is age 18 or older.
• The licensed or authorized child-placing agencies providing services to the child.
• The adoptive parents.
Identifying information may be released to:
• The adopted person who is age 21 or older.
• The birth parents.
• An adult birth sibling
Access to Nonidentifying Information
Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1246
Nonidentifying information shall not be open to inspection, or be copied, by anyone other than those listed above, except upon the order of a circuit court upon good cause shown.
Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1247
For adoptions finalized on or after 7-1-1994, the following requests for disclosure of identifying information are permitted:
• The adopted person who is age 21 or older may apply for information about the birth family.
• The birth parents and adult birth siblings may apply information about the adopted person.
• When the adopted person is under age 18, the adoptive parents or other legal custodian of the child may apply for information about the birth family.
The Commissioner shall designate the person or agency that made the investigation to attempt to locate and advise the person whose information is sought of the application. The designated person or agency shall report the results of the attempt to locate and advise the adopted person to the Commissioner, including the relative effects that disclosure of the identifying information may have on the adopted person, the adoptive parents, and the birth family. The adopted person and the birth family may submit to the Commissioner, and the Commissioner shall consider, written comments stating the anticipated effect that the disclosure of identifying information may have upon any party. Upon a showing of good cause, the Commissioner shall disclose the identifying information. When consent of the person being sought is not obtainable, due to the death or mental incapacity, the circuit court may release identifying information to the person making the request. In making this decision, the circuit court shall consider the needs and concerns of all persons involved. In parental placement adoptions, where the consent to the adoption was executed on or after 7-1-1994, the entire adoption record shall be open to the adoptive parents, the adopted person who is age 18 or older, and a birth parent who executed a written consent.
Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Ann. Code § 32.1-261
The original birth certificate is available only upon order of the court.
Where the Information Can Be Located:
Department of Social Services, Permanency Unit
Virginia Vital Records Information
This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information
Gateway. Available online at www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/infoaccessap.cfm.
|
Please mention you saw us on the internet!
To Register Go Here
Caution: Any attempt by any individual to deliberately damage this website may be a violation
of criminal Or civil laws and should such an attempt be made. We reserve the right to seek damages
(Including attorney's fees) from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law, including criminal prosecution
Top 10 Search Engines
|
|
