What are the laws regarding adoption records?

In Virginia, the laws regarding adoption records are very specific. Adoption records are strictly confidential and must remain sealed unless consent is provided by the court, the adopted person, or the birth parent of the adopted person. Adopted persons over the age of 18 have the right to access their adoption records and to receive identifying information about their birth parents. To do this, they must submit a petition to the court. The court must then review the petition and make a decision based on the best interests of the adopted person. Birth parents of adopted persons also have the right to access adoption records and receive identifying information about their child. To do this, they must submit an application to the court. It is then up to the court to determine whether or not this is in the best interest of the adopted person. In addition, both adopted persons and birth parents may have access to non-identifying information about each other. This includes information about medical history and background and may be provided without consent from either party. It is important to note that both adopted persons and birth parents may also ask the court to keep their identities confidential. In these cases, the court will review the request and make a decision based on the best interests of both parties.

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What are the laws regarding adoption records?

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