{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-262.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-262.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-262.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-262.html"}],"law_id":62109,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62109,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-262","catch_line":"Form and content of petition","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 16.1-165; 1956, c. 555; 1977, c. 559; 1979, c. 615; 1984, c. 631; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 2000, c. 830; 2016, c. 626.","full_text":"A\n\nThe petition shall contain the facts below indicated:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth of Virginia, In re ______ (name of child)” a child under eighteen years of age.\n\t\t\t“In the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the county (or city) of ______ “1\n\nStatement of name, age, date of birth, if known, and residence of the child.2\n\nStatement of names and residence of his parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis and spouse, if any.3\n\nStatement of names and residence of the nearest known relatives if no parent or guardian can be found.4\n\nStatement of the specific facts which allegedly bring the child within the purview of this law. If the petition alleges a delinquent act, it shall make reference to the applicable sections of the Code which designate the act a crime.5\n\nStatement as to whether the child is in custody, and if so, the place of detention or shelter care, and the time the child was taken into custody, and the time the child was placed in detention or shelter care.B\n\nIf the subject of the petition is an adult, the petition shall not state or include the name of or any information concerning the parents, guardians, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis of the adult subject of the petition except as may be necessary to state the conduct alleged in the petition.C\n\nIf any of the facts herein required to be stated are not known by the petitioner, the petition shall so state. The petition shall be verified, except that petitions filed under § 63.2-1237 may be signed by the petitioner’s counsel, and may be upon information.\n\t\t\tIn accordance with § 16.1-69.32, the Supreme Court may formulate rules for the form and content of petitions in the juvenile court concerning matters related to the custody, visitation or support of a child and the protection, support or maintenance of an adult where the provisions of this section are not appropriate.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":226620,"text":"The petition shall contain the facts below indicated:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth of Virginia, In re ______ (name of child)” a child under eighteen years of age.\n\t\t\t“In the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the county (or city) of ______ “","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":226621,"text":"Statement of name, age, date of birth, if known, and residence of the child.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":226622,"text":"Statement of names and residence of his parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis and spouse, if any.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":226623,"text":"Statement of names and residence of the nearest known relatives if no parent or guardian can be found.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":226624,"text":"Statement of the specific facts which allegedly bring the child within the purview of this law. If the petition alleges a delinquent act, it shall make reference to the applicable sections of the Code which designate the act a crime.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":226625,"text":"Statement as to whether the child is in custody, and if so, the place of detention or shelter care, and the time the child was taken into custody, and the time the child was placed in detention or shelter care.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":226626,"text":"If the subject of the petition is an adult, the petition shall not state or include the name of or any information concerning the parents, guardians, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis of the adult subject of the petition except as may be necessary to state the conduct alleged in the petition.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"C"},"7":{"id":226627,"text":"If any of the facts herein required to be stated are not known by the petitioner, the petition shall so state. The petition shall be verified, except that petitions filed under § 63.2-1237 may be signed by the petitioner’s counsel, and may be upon information.\n\t\t\tIn accordance with § 16.1-69.32, the Supreme Court may formulate rules for the form and content of petitions in the juvenile court concerning matters related to the custody, visitation or support of a child and the protection, support or maintenance of an adult where the provisions of this section are not appropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14663,"edition_id":1,"name":"Intake, Petition and Notice","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:12","permalink":{"id":161621,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14663,"identifier":"5","token":"16.1\/11\/5","url":"\/16.1\/11\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68644,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-259","catch_line":"Procedure in cases of adults","url":"\/16.1-259\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-259","metadata":false},{"id":57160,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-260","catch_line":"Intake; petition; investigation","url":"\/16.1-260\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-260","metadata":false},{"id":70890,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-261","catch_line":"Statements made at intake or mental health screening and assessment","url":"\/16.1-261\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-261","metadata":false},{"id":62109,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-262","catch_line":"Form and content of petition","url":"\/16.1-262\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-262","metadata":false},{"id":56254,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-263","catch_line":"Summonses","url":"\/16.1-263\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-263","metadata":false},{"id":75806,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-264","catch_line":"Service of summons; proof of service; penalty","url":"\/16.1-264\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-264","metadata":false},{"id":76322,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-265","catch_line":"Subpoena; attorney-issued subpoena","url":"\/16.1-265\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-265","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":70890,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-261","catch_line":"Statements made at intake or mental health screening and assessment","url":"\/16.1-261\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-261","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56254,"structure_id":14663,"section_number":"16.1-263","catch_line":"Summonses","url":"\/16.1-263\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-263","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-262\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1956, chapter 555; in 1977, chapter 559; in 1979, chapter 615; in 1984, chapter 631; in 1995, chapters 772<\/a> and 826<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 830<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 626<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57160,"section_number":"16.1-260","catch_line":"Intake; petition; investigation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-260\/"},{"id":62047,"section_number":"16.1-291","catch_line":"Revocation or modification of probation, protective supervision or parole; proceedings; disposition","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-291\/"},{"id":57297,"section_number":"16.1-331","catch_line":"Petition for emancipation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-331\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":78384,"section_number":"16.1-69.32","catch_line":"Rules","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.32\/"},{"id":79340,"section_number":"63.2-1237","catch_line":"Petition for parental placement adoption; jurisdiction; contents","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1237\/"}],"permalink":{"id":161635,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62109,"identifier":"16.1-262","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-262","url":"\/16.1-262\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-262\/","token":"16.1\/11\/5\/16.1-262","dublin_core":{"Title":"Form and content of petition","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-262","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The petition<\/span> shall contain the facts<\/span> below indicated:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth of Virginia, In re ______ (name of child)” a child under eighteen years of age.\n\t\t\t“In the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court<\/span> of the county (or city) of ______ “ <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Statement of name, age, date of birth, if known, and residence of the child. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Statement of names and residence of his parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis and spouse, if any. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Statement of names and residence of the nearest known relatives if no parent or guardian can be found. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Statement of the specific facts<\/span> which allegedly bring the child within the purview of this law<\/span>. If the petition<\/span> alleges a delinquent act<\/span>, it shall make reference to the applicable sections of the Code which designate the act a crime<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Statement as to whether the child is in custody<\/span>, and if so, the place of detention or shelter care<\/span>, and the time the child was taken into custody<\/span>, and the time the child was placed in detention or shelter care<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If the subject of the petition<\/span> is an adult<\/span>, the petition<\/span> shall not state or include the name of or any information concerning the parents, guardians, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis of the adult<\/span> subject of the petition<\/span> except as may be necessary to state the conduct alleged in the petition<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If any of the facts<\/span> herein required to be stated are not known by the petitioner, the petition<\/span> shall so state. The petition<\/span> shall be verified, except that petitions<\/span> filed under § 63.2-1237<\/a> may be signed by the petitioner’s counsel<\/span>, and may be upon information.\n\t\t\tIn accordance with § 16.1-69.32<\/a>, the Supreme Court may formulate rules for the form and content of petitions<\/span> in the juvenile court<\/span> concerning matters related to the custody<\/span>, visitation or support of a child and the protection, support or maintenance of an adult<\/span> where the provisions of this section are not appropriate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFORM AND CONTENT OF PETITION (\u00a7 16.1-262)\n\nA. The petition shall contain the facts below indicated:\n\t\t\t“Commonwealth of Virginia, In re ______ (name of child)” a child\nunder eighteen years of age.\n\t\t\t“In the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the county\n(or city) of ______ “\n\n 1. Statement of name, age, date of birth, if known, and residence of the\n child.\n\n 2. Statement of names and residence of his parents, guardian, legal custodian\n or other person standing in loco parentis and spouse, if any.\n\n 3. Statement of names and residence of the nearest known relatives if no\n parent or guardian can be found.\n\n 4. Statement of the specific facts which allegedly bring the child within the\n purview of this law. If the petition alleges a delinquent act, it shall make\n reference to the applicable sections of the Code which designate the act a\n crime.\n\n 5. Statement as to whether the child is in custody, and if so, the place of\n detention or shelter care, and the time the child was taken into custody, and\n the time the child was placed in detention or shelter care.\n\nB. If the subject of the petition is an adult, the petition shall not state or\ninclude the name of or any information concerning the parents, guardians, legal\ncustodian, or person standing in loco parentis of the adult subject of the\npetition except as may be necessary to state the conduct alleged in the\npetition.\n\nC. If any of the facts herein required to be stated are not known by the\npetitioner, the petition shall so state. The petition shall be verified, except\nthat petitions filed under § 63.2-1237 may be signed by the\npetitioner’s counsel, and may be upon information.\n\t\t\tIn accordance with § 16.1-69.32, the Supreme Court may formulate rules\nfor the form and content of petitions in the juvenile court concerning matters\nrelated to the custody, visitation or support of a child and the protection,\nsupport or maintenance of an adult where the provisions of this section are not\nappropriate.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 16.1-165; 1956, c. 555; 1977, c. 559; 1979, c. 615; 1984,\nc. 631; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 2000, c. 830; 2016, c. 626.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}