{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1200.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1200.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1200.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1200.1.html"}],"law_id":79180,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79180,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1200.1","catch_line":"Recognition of foreign adoption; issuance of birth certificates","history":"2011, c. 486; 2012, c. 323.","full_text":"A\n\nAny adoption of a child who was born in a foreign country and who was not a citizen of the United States at the time of birth shall, subject to the provisions of subsection D of § 63.2-1201.1, be recognized by the Commonwealth and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be determined as though the order of adoption was entered by a court of the Commonwealth if the adoption was finalized pursuant to the laws of the country from which the child was adopted, and the child was admitted to the United States with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. In such cases, the adoptive parents shall not be required to readopt the child in Virginia.B\n\nIn cases in which an adoption of a child was finalized pursuant to the laws of a foreign country and the child was admitted to the United States with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa, the adoptive parents, if residents of the Commonwealth at the time the adoption was finalized, may submit a report of adoption to the State Registrar of Vital Records on a form furnished by the State Registrar, which shall (i) include evidence as to the date, place of birth, and parentage of the adopted person; (ii) provide information necessary to establish a new certificate of birth for the adopted person; (iii) include a certified or notarized copy of the final order of adoption entered by the foreign court, together with a certified translation or a notarized copy of a certified translation of the final order of adoption in cases in which the original order is not in English; and (iv) include an affidavit from the adoptive parents indicating that they are receiving supervision from a licensed or approved child-placing agency in the United States or have received supervision from a licensed or approved child-placing agency in the United States and have satisfied all post-adoption requirements as required by the foreign country from which the child was adopted. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this subsection, the State Registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for the adopted person, and such certificate of birth shall be registered in accordance with the provisions of § 32.1-261.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":283568,"text":"Any adoption of a child who was born in a foreign country and who was not a citizen of the United States at the time of birth shall, subject to the provisions of subsection D of § 63.2-1201.1, be recognized by the Commonwealth and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be determined as though the order of adoption was entered by a court of the Commonwealth if the adoption was finalized pursuant to the laws of the country from which the child was adopted, and the child was admitted to the United States with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. In such cases, the adoptive parents shall not be required to readopt the child in Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":283569,"text":"In cases in which an adoption of a child was finalized pursuant to the laws of a foreign country and the child was admitted to the United States with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa, the adoptive parents, if residents of the Commonwealth at the time the adoption was finalized, may submit a report of adoption to the State Registrar of Vital Records on a form furnished by the State Registrar, which shall (i) include evidence as to the date, place of birth, and parentage of the adopted person; (ii) provide information necessary to establish a new certificate of birth for the adopted person; (iii) include a certified or notarized copy of the final order of adoption entered by the foreign court, together with a certified translation or a notarized copy of a certified translation of the final order of adoption in cases in which the original order is not in English; and (iv) include an affidavit from the adoptive parents indicating that they are receiving supervision from a licensed or approved child-placing agency in the United States or have received supervision from a licensed or approved child-placing agency in the United States and have satisfied all post-adoption requirements as required by the foreign country from which the child was adopted. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this subsection, the State Registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for the adopted person, and such certificate of birth shall be registered in accordance with the provisions of § 32.1-261.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14142,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14096,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:01","permalink":{"id":271367,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14142,"identifier":"1","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/12\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14096,"edition_id":1,"name":"Adoption","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:52","permalink":{"id":271365,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14096,"identifier":"12","token":"63.2\/III\/12","url":"\/63.2\/III\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Social Services Programs","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","permalink":{"id":271331,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13897,"identifier":"III","token":"63.2\/III","url":"\/63.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67454,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1200","catch_line":"Who may place children for adoption","url":"\/63.2-1200\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1200","metadata":false},{"id":79180,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1200.1","catch_line":"Recognition of foreign adoption; issuance of birth certificates","url":"\/63.2-1200.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1200.1","metadata":false},{"id":70662,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1201","catch_line":"Filing of petition for adoption; venue; jurisdiction; and proceedings","url":"\/63.2-1201\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1201","metadata":false},{"id":76763,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1201.1","catch_line":"Previously married persons who stood in loco parentis during the time of the marriage may adopt in the same manner as married persons","url":"\/63.2-1201.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1201.1","metadata":false},{"id":57240,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1202","catch_line":"Parental, or agency, consent required; exceptions","url":"\/63.2-1202\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1202","metadata":false},{"id":70065,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1203","catch_line":"When consent is withheld or unobtainable","url":"\/63.2-1203\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1203","metadata":false},{"id":70767,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1204","catch_line":"When consent is revocable; fraud or duress; mutual consent","url":"\/63.2-1204\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1204","metadata":false},{"id":75979,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1205","catch_line":"Best interests of the child; standards for determining","url":"\/63.2-1205\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1205","metadata":false},{"id":84468,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1205.1","catch_line":"Certain offenders prohibited from adopting a child","url":"\/63.2-1205.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1205.1","metadata":false},{"id":63319,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1206","catch_line":"No parental presumption after revocation period expires","url":"\/63.2-1206\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1206","metadata":false},{"id":84982,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1207","catch_line":"Removal of child from adoptive home","url":"\/63.2-1207\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1207","metadata":false},{"id":58081,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1208","catch_line":"Investigations; report to circuit court","url":"\/63.2-1208\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1208","metadata":false},{"id":77214,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1209","catch_line":"Entry of interlocutory order","url":"\/63.2-1209\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1209","metadata":false},{"id":62868,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1210","catch_line":"Probationary period, interlocutory order and order of reference not required under certain circumstances","url":"\/63.2-1210\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1210","metadata":false},{"id":71943,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1211","catch_line":"Revocation of interlocutory order","url":"\/63.2-1211\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1211","metadata":false},{"id":67535,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1212","catch_line":"Visitations during probationary period and report","url":"\/63.2-1212\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1212","metadata":false},{"id":67676,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1213","catch_line":"Final order of adoption","url":"\/63.2-1213\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1213","metadata":false},{"id":60911,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1214","catch_line":"Annual review of pending petitions for adoption; duty of Commissioner and circuit court clerk","url":"\/63.2-1214\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1214","metadata":false},{"id":86424,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1215","catch_line":"Legal effects of adoption","url":"\/63.2-1215\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1215","metadata":false},{"id":82487,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1216","catch_line":"Final order not subject to attack after six months","url":"\/63.2-1216\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1216","metadata":false},{"id":55297,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1217","catch_line":"Provision of false information; penalty","url":"\/63.2-1217\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1217","metadata":false},{"id":86942,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1218","catch_line":"Certain exchange of property, advertisement, solicitation prohibited; penalty","url":"\/63.2-1218\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1218","metadata":false},{"id":66924,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1219","catch_line":"Suspected violation of property exchange information","url":"\/63.2-1219\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1219","metadata":false},{"id":57977,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1220","catch_line":"Issuance of birth certificates for children adopted in the Commonwealth","url":"\/63.2-1220\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1220","metadata":false},{"id":61151,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1220.01","catch_line":"Foreign adoptions; establishment of date of birth","url":"\/63.2-1220.01\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1220.01","metadata":false},{"id":62740,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1220.1","catch_line":"Establishment of minimum training requirements","url":"\/63.2-1220.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1220.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":67454,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1200","catch_line":"Who may place children for adoption","url":"\/63.2-1200\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1200","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":70662,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1201","catch_line":"Filing of petition for adoption; venue; jurisdiction; and proceedings","url":"\/63.2-1201\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1201","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1200.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2011. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 486<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2012, chapter 323<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":79948,"section_number":"32.1-261","catch_line":"New certificate of birth established on proof of adoption, legitimation, or determination of paternity, or change of sex","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-261\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79948,"section_number":"32.1-261","catch_line":"New certificate of birth established on proof of adoption, legitimation, or determination of paternity, or change of sex","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-261\/"},{"id":76763,"section_number":"63.2-1201.1","catch_line":"Previously married persons who stood in loco parentis during the time of the marriage may adopt in the same manner as married persons","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1201.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271373,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79180,"identifier":"63.2-1200.1","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1200.1","url":"\/63.2-1200.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1200.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1200.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Recognition of foreign adoption; issuance of birth certificates","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1200.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any adoption of a child<\/span> who was born in a foreign country and who was not a citizen of the United States at the time of birth shall, subject to the provisions of subsection D of § 63.2-1201.1<\/a>, be recognized by the Commonwealth and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be determined as though the order<\/span> of adoption was entered by a court<\/span> of the Commonwealth if the adoption was finalized pursuant to the laws<\/span> of the country from which the child<\/span> was adopted, and the child<\/span> was admitted to the United States with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. In such cases, the adoptive parents shall not be required to readopt the child<\/span> in Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In cases in which an adoption of a child<\/span> was finalized pursuant to the laws<\/span> of a foreign country and the child<\/span> was admitted to the United States with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa, the adoptive parents, if residents of the Commonwealth at the time the adoption was finalized, may submit a report of adoption to the State Registrar of Vital Records on a form furnished by the State Registrar, which shall (i) include evidence<\/span> as to the date, place of birth, and parentage of the adopted person; (ii) provide information necessary to establish a new certificate of birth for the adopted person; (iii) include a certified or notarized copy of the final order<\/span> of adoption entered by the foreign court<\/span>, together with a certified translation or a notarized copy of a certified translation of the final order<\/span> of adoption in cases in which the original order is not in English; and (iv) include an affidavit<\/span> from the adoptive parents indicating that they are receiving supervision from a licensed or approved child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> in the United States or have received supervision from a licensed or approved child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> in the United States and have satisfied all post-adoption requirements as required by the foreign country from which the child<\/span> was adopted. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this subsection, the State Registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for the adopted person, and such certificate of birth shall be registered in accordance with the provisions of § 32.1-261<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRECOGNITION OF FOREIGN ADOPTION; ISSUANCE OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES (\u00a7 63.2-1200.1)\n\nA. Any adoption of a child who was born in a foreign country and who was not a\ncitizen of the United States at the time of birth shall, subject to the\nprovisions of subsection D of § 63.2-1201.1, be recognized by the\nCommonwealth and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be determined\nas though the order of adoption was entered by a court of the Commonwealth if\nthe adoption was finalized pursuant to the laws of the country from which the\nchild was adopted, and the child was admitted to the United States with an IR-3\nor IH-3 visa issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.\nIn such cases, the adoptive parents shall not be required to readopt the child\nin Virginia.\n\nB. In cases in which an adoption of a child was finalized pursuant to the laws\nof a foreign country and the child was admitted to the United States with an\nIR-3 or IH-3 visa, the adoptive parents, if residents of the Commonwealth at the\ntime the adoption was finalized, may submit a report of adoption to the State\nRegistrar of Vital Records on a form furnished by the State Registrar, which\nshall (i) include evidence as to the date, place of birth, and parentage of the\nadopted person; (ii) provide information necessary to establish a new\ncertificate of birth for the adopted person; (iii) include a certified or\nnotarized copy of the final order of adoption entered by the foreign court,\ntogether with a certified translation or a notarized copy of a certified\ntranslation of the final order of adoption in cases in which the original order\nis not in English; and (iv) include an affidavit from the adoptive parents\nindicating that they are receiving supervision from a licensed or approved\nchild-placing agency in the United States or have received supervision from a\nlicensed or approved child-placing agency in the United States and have\nsatisfied all post-adoption requirements as required by the foreign country from\nwhich the child was adopted. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this\nsubsection, the State Registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for\nthe adopted person, and such certificate of birth shall be registered in\naccordance with the provisions of § 32.1-261.\n\nHISTORY: 2011, c. 486; 2012, c. 323.","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}}