{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1215.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1215.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1215.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1215.html"}],"law_id":86424,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86424,"structure_id":14142,"section_number":"63.2-1215","catch_line":"Legal effects of adoption","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 63-357; 1968, c. 578, \u00a7 63.1-233; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 1997, c. 690; 2000, c. 830, \u00a7 63.1-219.22; 2002, c. 747; 2003, c. 229; 2024, cc. 69, 70.","full_text":"A\n\nThe birth parents, and the parents by previous adoption, if any, other than any such parent who is the husband or wife of one of the petitioners, shall, by final order of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and obligations in respect to the child including the right to petition any court for visitation with the child. Except where a final order of adoption is entered pursuant to § 63.2-1241, any person whose interest in the child derives from or through the birth parent or previous adoptive parent, including but not limited to grandparents, stepparents, former stepparents, blood relatives, and family members, shall, by final order of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and obligations in respect to the child including the right to petition any court for visitation with the child. In all cases the child shall be free from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance in respect to such persons divested of legal rights. Any child adopted under the provisions of this chapter shall, from and after the entry of the interlocutory order or from and after the entry of the final order where no such interlocutory order is entered, be, to all intents and purposes, the child of the person or persons so adopting him and, unless and until such interlocutory order or final order is subsequently revoked, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges, and subject to all the obligations, of a child of such person or persons born in lawful wedlock. An adopted person is the child of an adopting parent, and as such, the adopting parent shall be entitled to testify in all cases civil and criminal, as if the adopted child was born of the adopting parent in lawful wedlock.B\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any child of a deceased person from receiving an award of damages in an action for death by wrongful act in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 (§ 8.01-50 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01 if such child is adopted after the death of the deceased person, provided that the parental rights of such deceased person were not terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction prior to his death. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any adoption finalized on or after July 1, 2024.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":309551,"text":"The birth parents, and the parents by previous adoption, if any, other than any such parent who is the husband or wife of one of the petitioners, shall, by final order of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and obligations in respect to the child including the right to petition any court for visitation with the child. Except where a final order of adoption is entered pursuant to § 63.2-1241, any person whose interest in the child derives from or through the birth parent or previous adoptive parent, including but not limited to grandparents, stepparents, former stepparents, blood relatives, and family members, shall, by final order of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and obligations in respect to the child including the right to petition any court for visitation with the child. In all cases the child shall be free from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance in respect to such persons divested of legal rights. Any child adopted under the provisions of this chapter shall, from and after the entry of the interlocutory order or from and after the entry of the final order where no such interlocutory order is entered, be, to all intents and purposes, the child of the person or persons so adopting him and, unless and until such interlocutory order or final order is subsequently revoked, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges, and subject to all the obligations, of a child of such person or persons born in lawful wedlock. An adopted person is the child of an adopting parent, and as such, the adopting parent shall be entitled to testify in all cases civil and criminal, as if the adopted child was born of the adopting parent in lawful wedlock.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":309552,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any child of a deceased person from receiving an award of damages in an action for death by wrongful act in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 (§ 8.01-50 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01 if such child is adopted after the death of the deceased person, provided that the parental rights of such deceased person were not terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction prior to his death. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any adoption finalized on or after July 1, 2024.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1215\/","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 1968, chapter 578; in 1995, chapters 772<\/a> and 826<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 690<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 830<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 229<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 69<\/a> and 70<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":62936,"section_number":"63.2-1241","catch_line":"Adoption of child by spouse of birth or adoptive parent or other person with legitimate interest","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1241\/"},{"id":78150,"section_number":"8.01-50","catch_line":"Action for death by wrongful act; how and when to be brought","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-50\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271441,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86424,"identifier":"63.2-1215","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1215","url":"\/63.2-1215\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1215\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1\/63.2-1215","dublin_core":{"Title":"Legal effects of adoption","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1215","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The birth parents<\/span>, and the parents by previous adoption, if any, other than any such parent who is the husband or wife of one of the petitioners, shall, by final order<\/span> of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and obligations in respect to the child<\/span> including the right to petition<\/span> any court<\/span> for visitation with the child<\/span>. Except where a final order<\/span> of adoption is entered pursuant to § 63.2-1241<\/a>, any person whose interest in the child<\/span> derives from or through the birth parent<\/span> or previous adoptive parent, including but not limited to grandparents, stepparents, former stepparents, blood relatives, and family members, shall, by final order<\/span> of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and obligations in respect to the child<\/span> including the right to petition<\/span> any court<\/span> for visitation with the child<\/span>. In all cases the child<\/span> shall be free from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance in respect to such persons divested of legal rights. Any child<\/span> adopted under the provisions of this chapter shall, from and after the entry of the interlocutory order<\/span> or from and after the entry of the final order<\/span> where no such interlocutory order<\/span> is entered, be, to all intents<\/span> and purposes, the child<\/span> of the person or persons so adopting him and, unless and until such interlocutory order<\/span> or final order<\/span> is subsequently revoked, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges<\/span>, and subject to all the obligations, of a child<\/span> of such person or persons born in lawful wedlock. An adopted person is the child<\/span> of an adopting parent, and as such, the adopting parent shall be entitled to testify in all cases civil and criminal, as if the adopted child<\/span> was born of the adopting parent in lawful wedlock. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any child<\/span> of a deceased person from receiving an award of damages<\/span> in an action for death by wrongful act in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 (§ 8.01-50<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01 if such child<\/span> is adopted after the death of the deceased person, provided that the parental rights of such deceased person were not terminated by a court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span> prior to his death. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any adoption finalized on or after July 1, 2024. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLEGAL EFFECTS OF ADOPTION (\u00a7 63.2-1215)\n\nA. The birth parents, and the parents by previous adoption, if any, other than\nany such parent who is the husband or wife of one of the petitioners, shall, by\nfinal order of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and obligations in\nrespect to the child including the right to petition any court for visitation\nwith the child. Except where a final order of adoption is entered pursuant to\n§ 63.2-1241, any person whose interest in the child derives from or through\nthe birth parent or previous adoptive parent, including but not limited to\ngrandparents, stepparents, former stepparents, blood relatives, and family\nmembers, shall, by final order of adoption, be divested of all legal rights and\nobligations in respect to the child including the right to petition any court\nfor visitation with the child. In all cases the child shall be free from all\nlegal obligations of obedience and maintenance in respect to such persons\ndivested of legal rights. Any child adopted under the provisions of this chapter\nshall, from and after the entry of the interlocutory order or from and after the\nentry of the final order where no such interlocutory order is entered, be, to\nall intents and purposes, the child of the person or persons so adopting him\nand, unless and until such interlocutory order or final order is subsequently\nrevoked, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges, and subject to all\nthe obligations, of a child of such person or persons born in lawful wedlock. An\nadopted person is the child of an adopting parent, and as such, the adopting\nparent shall be entitled to testify in all cases civil and criminal, as if the\nadopted child was born of the adopting parent in lawful wedlock.\n\nB. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any child of a\ndeceased person from receiving an award of damages in an action for death by\nwrongful act in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 (§ 8.01-50 et\nseq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01 if such child is adopted after the death of the\ndeceased person, provided that the parental rights of such deceased person were\nnot terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction prior to his death. The\nprovisions of this subsection shall apply to any adoption finalized on or after\nJuly 1, 2024.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 63-357; 1968, c. 578, \u00a7 63.1-233; 1995, cc. 772, 826;\n1997, c. 690; 2000, c. 830, \u00a7 63.1-219.22; 2002, c. 747; 2003, c. 229; 2024,\ncc. 69, 70.","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}}