{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1220.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1220.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1220.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1220.2.html"}],"law_id":65888,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65888,"structure_id":15614,"section_number":"63.2-1220.2","catch_line":"Authority to enter into post-adoption contact and communication agreements","history":"2010, c. 331; 2019, cc. 65, 84.","full_text":"A\n\nIn any proceeding for adoption pursuant to this chapter, the birth parent(s) and the adoptive parent(s) of a child may enter into a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement. A post-adoption contact and communication agreement may include, but is not limited to, provisions related to contact and communication between the child, the birth parent(s), and the adoptive parent(s) and provisions for the sharing of information about the child, including sharing of photographs of the child and information about the child’s education, health, and welfare. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent or parents have been terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283, a local board of social services or child welfare agency required to file a petition for a permanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 may inform the birth parent or parents and shall inform the adoptive parent or parents that they may enter into such an agreement and shall inform the child if he is 14 years of age or older that he may consent to such an agreement.B\n\nAny post-adoption contact and communication agreement entered into by the birth parent(s) and the adoptive parent(s) of a child shall include acknowledgment by the birth parent(s) that the adoption of the child is irrevocable, even if the adoptive parent(s) do not abide by the post-adoption contact and communication agreement, and acknowledgment by the adoptive parent(s) that the agreement grants the birth parent(s) the right to seek to enforce the post-adoption contact and communication provisions set forth in the agreement. The petitioner for adoption shall file such agreement with other documents filed in the circuit court having jurisdiction over the child’s adoption.C\n\nIn no event shall failure to enter into a post-adoption contact and communication agreement with identified adoptive parent(s) after a valid entrustment agreement or consent to the child’s adoption is executed, or failure to comply with a post-adoption contact and communication agreement, affect the validity of (i) the consent to the adoption, (ii) the voluntary relinquishment of parental rights, (iii) the voluntary or involuntary termination of parental rights, or (iv) the finality of the adoption.D\n\nNo birth parent(s) or adoptive parent(s) of a child shall be required to enter into a post-adoption contact and communication agreement.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":239443,"text":"In any proceeding for adoption pursuant to this chapter, the birth parent(s) and the adoptive parent(s) of a child may enter into a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement. A post-adoption contact and communication agreement may include, but is not limited to, provisions related to contact and communication between the child, the birth parent(s), and the adoptive parent(s) and provisions for the sharing of information about the child, including sharing of photographs of the child and information about the child’s education, health, and welfare. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent or parents have been terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283, a local board of social services or child welfare agency required to file a petition for a permanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 may inform the birth parent or parents and shall inform the adoptive parent or parents that they may enter into such an agreement and shall inform the child if he is 14 years of age or older that he may consent to such an agreement.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":239444,"text":"Any post-adoption contact and communication agreement entered into by the birth parent(s) and the adoptive parent(s) of a child shall include acknowledgment by the birth parent(s) that the adoption of the child is irrevocable, even if the adoptive parent(s) do not abide by the post-adoption contact and communication agreement, and acknowledgment by the adoptive parent(s) that the agreement grants the birth parent(s) the right to seek to enforce the post-adoption contact and communication provisions set forth in the agreement. The petitioner for adoption shall file such agreement with other documents filed in the circuit court having jurisdiction over the child’s adoption.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":239445,"text":"In no event shall failure to enter into a post-adoption contact and communication agreement with identified adoptive parent(s) after a valid entrustment agreement or consent to the child’s adoption is executed, or failure to comply with a post-adoption contact and communication agreement, affect the validity of (i) the consent to the adoption, (ii) the voluntary relinquishment of parental rights, (iii) the voluntary or involuntary termination of parental rights, or (iv) the finality of the adoption.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":239446,"text":"No birth parent(s) or adoptive parent(s) of a child shall be required to enter into a post-adoption contact and communication agreement.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15614,"edition_id":1,"name":"Post-Adoption Contact and Communication Agreements","identifier":"1.1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14096,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:56:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:56:55","permalink":{"id":271473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15614,"identifier":"1.1","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1.1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/12\/1.1\/","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":65888,"structure_id":15614,"section_number":"63.2-1220.2","catch_line":"Authority to enter into post-adoption contact and communication agreements","url":"\/63.2-1220.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1.1\/63.2-1220.2","metadata":false},{"id":80979,"structure_id":15614,"section_number":"63.2-1220.3","catch_line":"Approval of post-adoption contact and communication agreements","url":"\/63.2-1220.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1.1\/63.2-1220.3","metadata":false},{"id":59619,"structure_id":15614,"section_number":"63.2-1220.4","catch_line":"Jurisdiction to approve post-adoption contact and communication agreements","url":"\/63.2-1220.4\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1.1\/63.2-1220.4","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":80979,"structure_id":15614,"section_number":"63.2-1220.3","catch_line":"Approval of post-adoption contact and communication agreements","url":"\/63.2-1220.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1.1\/63.2-1220.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1220.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2010. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 331<\/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 2019, chapters 65<\/a> and 84<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71312,"section_number":"16.1-241","catch_line":"Jurisdiction; consent for abortion","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-241\/"},{"id":73490,"section_number":"16.1-277.01","catch_line":"Approval of entrustment agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-277.01\/"},{"id":73075,"section_number":"16.1-277.02","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Petition for relief of care and custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-277.02\/"},{"id":78408,"section_number":"16.1-278.15","catch_line":"Custody or visitation, child or spousal support generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.15\/"},{"id":54079,"section_number":"16.1-278.3","catch_line":"Relief of care and custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.3\/"},{"id":74001,"section_number":"16.1-283.1","catch_line":"Authority to enter into voluntary post-adoption contact and communication agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-283.1\/"},{"id":60825,"section_number":"20-124.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-124.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55053,"section_number":"16.1-282.1","catch_line":"Permanency planning hearing for children in foster care","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-282.1\/"},{"id":75076,"section_number":"16.1-283","catch_line":"Termination of residual parental rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-283\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271475,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65888,"identifier":"63.2-1220.2","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1.1\/63.2-1220.2","url":"\/63.2-1220.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1220.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/1.1\/63.2-1220.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authority to enter into post-adoption contact and communication agreements","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1220.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In any proceeding for adoption pursuant to this chapter, the birth parent<\/span>(s) and the adoptive parent(s) of a child<\/span> may enter into a written post-adoption contact and communication agreement. A post-adoption contact and communication agreement may include, but is not limited to, provisions related to contact and communication between the child<\/span>, the birth parent<\/span>(s), and the adoptive parent(s) and provisions for the sharing of information about the child<\/span>, including sharing of photographs of the child<\/span> and information about the child<\/span>’s education, health, and welfare. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent<\/span> or parents have been terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283<\/a>, a local board<\/span> of social services<\/span> or child<\/span> welfare agency required to file a petition<\/span> for a permanency planning hearing<\/span> pursuant to § 16.1-282.1<\/a> may inform the birth parent<\/span> or parents and shall inform the adoptive parent or parents that they may enter into such an agreement and shall inform the child<\/span> if he is 14 years of age or older that he may consent to such an agreement. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any post-adoption contact and communication agreement entered into by the birth parent<\/span>(s) and the adoptive parent(s) of a child<\/span> shall include acknowledgment by the birth parent<\/span>(s) that the adoption of the child<\/span> is irrevocable, even if the adoptive parent(s) do not abide by the post-adoption contact and communication agreement, and acknowledgment by the adoptive parent(s) that the agreement grants the birth parent<\/span>(s) the right to seek to enforce the post-adoption contact and communication provisions set forth in the agreement. The petitioner for adoption shall file such agreement with other documents filed in the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> having jurisdiction<\/span> over the child<\/span>’s adoption. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In no event shall failure to enter into a post-adoption contact and communication agreement with identified adoptive parent(s) after a valid entrustment agreement or consent to the child<\/span>’s adoption is executed, or failure to comply with a post-adoption contact and communication agreement, affect the validity of (i) the consent to the adoption, (ii) the voluntary relinquishment of parental rights, (iii) the voluntary or involuntary termination of parental rights, or (iv) the finality of the adoption. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No birth parent<\/span>(s) or adoptive parent(s) of a child<\/span> shall be required to enter into a post-adoption contact and communication agreement. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO POST-ADOPTION CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION AGREEMENTS (\u00a7\n63.2-1220.2)\n\nA. In any proceeding for adoption pursuant to this chapter, the birth parent(s)\nand the adoptive parent(s) of a child may enter into a written post-adoption\ncontact and communication agreement. A post-adoption contact and communication\nagreement may include, but is not limited to, provisions related to contact and\ncommunication between the child, the birth parent(s), and the adoptive parent(s)\nand provisions for the sharing of information about the child, including sharing\nof photographs of the child and information about the child’s education,\nhealth, and welfare. Unless the parental rights of the birth parent or parents\nhave been terminated pursuant to subsection E of § 16.1-283, a local board\nof social services or child welfare agency required to file a petition for a\npermanency planning hearing pursuant to § 16.1-282.1 may inform the birth\nparent or parents and shall inform the adoptive parent or parents that they may\nenter into such an agreement and shall inform the child if he is 14 years of age\nor older that he may consent to such an agreement.\n\nB. Any post-adoption contact and communication agreement entered into by the\nbirth parent(s) and the adoptive parent(s) of a child shall include\nacknowledgment by the birth parent(s) that the adoption of the child is\nirrevocable, even if the adoptive parent(s) do not abide by the post-adoption\ncontact and communication agreement, and acknowledgment by the adoptive\nparent(s) that the agreement grants the birth parent(s) the right to seek to\nenforce the post-adoption contact and communication provisions set forth in the\nagreement. The petitioner for adoption shall file such agreement with other\ndocuments filed in the circuit court having jurisdiction over the child’s\nadoption.\n\nC. In no event shall failure to enter into a post-adoption contact and\ncommunication agreement with identified adoptive parent(s) after a valid\nentrustment agreement or consent to the child’s adoption is executed, or\nfailure to comply with a post-adoption contact and communication agreement,\naffect the validity of (i) the consent to the adoption, (ii) the voluntary\nrelinquishment of parental rights, (iii) the voluntary or involuntary\ntermination of parental rights, or (iv) the finality of the adoption.\n\nD. No birth parent(s) or adoptive parent(s) of a child shall be required to\nenter into a post-adoption contact and communication agreement.\n\nHISTORY: 2010, c. 331; 2019, cc. 65, 84.","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}}