{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1221.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1221.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1221.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1221.html"}],"law_id":87110,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87110,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1221","catch_line":"Placement of children for adoption by agency or local board","history":"1989, c. 647, \u00a7 63.1-220.2; 1990, c. 202; 1991, c. 364; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 1999, c. 1028; 2000, c. 830, \u00a7 63.1-219.28; 2002, c. 747; 2004, c. 815; 2009, c. 805.","full_text":"A licensed child-placing agency or local board may place for adoption, and is empowered to consent to the adoption of, any child who is properly committed or entrusted to its care, in accordance with the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 63.2-900, 63.2-903, 63.2-1817 or this section, when the order of commitment or the entrustment agreement between the birth parent(s) and the agency or board provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child for the purpose of placing and consenting to the adoption of such child.\n\t\tThe entrustment agreement shall divest the birth parent(s) of all legal rights and obligations with respect to the child, and the child shall be free from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance with respect to them, provided that such rights and obligations may be restored to the birth parent(s) and the child by circuit court order prior to the entry of a final order of adoption upon proof of fraud or duress. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities shall be executed in writing and notarized, and shall be revocable prior to entry of an order finalizing the agreement (i) upon proof of fraud or duress, or (ii) after the placement of the child in an adoptive home upon written mutual consent of the birth parents and prospective adoptive parents.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":311922,"text":"A licensed child-placing agency or local board may place for adoption, and is empowered to consent to the adoption of, any child who is properly committed or entrusted to its care, in accordance with the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 63.2-900, 63.2-903, 63.2-1817 or this section, when the order of commitment or the entrustment agreement between the birth parent(s) and the agency or board provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child for the purpose of placing and consenting to the adoption of such child.\n\t\tThe entrustment agreement shall divest the birth parent(s) of all legal rights and obligations with respect to the child, and the child shall be free from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance with respect to them, provided that such rights and obligations may be restored to the birth parent(s) and the child by circuit court order prior to the entry of a final order of adoption upon proof of fraud or duress. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities shall be executed in writing and notarized, and shall be revocable prior to entry of an order finalizing the agreement (i) upon proof of fraud or duress, or (ii) after the placement of the child in an adoptive home upon written mutual consent of the birth parents and prospective adoptive parents.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15572,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agency Adoptions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14096,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:56:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:56:26","permalink":{"id":271487,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15572,"identifier":"2","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2","url":"\/63.2\/III\/12\/2\/","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":87110,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1221","catch_line":"Placement of children for adoption by agency or local board","url":"\/63.2-1221\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1221","metadata":false},{"id":80789,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1222","catch_line":"Execution of entrustment agreement by birth parent(s); exceptions; notice and objection to entrustment; copy required to be furnished; requirement for agencies outside the Commonwealth","url":"\/63.2-1222\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1222","metadata":false},{"id":66503,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1223","catch_line":"Revocation of entrustment agreement","url":"\/63.2-1223\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1223","metadata":false},{"id":66793,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1224","catch_line":"Explanation of process, legal effects of adoption required","url":"\/63.2-1224\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1224","metadata":false},{"id":74467,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1225","catch_line":"Determination of appropriate home","url":"\/63.2-1225\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1225","metadata":false},{"id":59404,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1226","catch_line":"When birth parents recommend adoptive parents","url":"\/63.2-1226\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1226","metadata":false},{"id":75367,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1227","catch_line":"Filing of petition for agency adoption","url":"\/63.2-1227\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1227","metadata":false},{"id":73962,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1228","catch_line":"Forwarding of petition","url":"\/63.2-1228\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1228","metadata":false},{"id":76967,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1228.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-1228.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1228.1","metadata":false},{"id":84546,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1229","catch_line":"Foster parent adoption","url":"\/63.2-1229\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1229","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":80789,"structure_id":15572,"section_number":"63.2-1222","catch_line":"Execution of entrustment agreement by birth parent(s); exceptions; notice and objection to entrustment; copy required to be furnished; requirement for agencies outside the Commonwealth","url":"\/63.2-1222\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1222","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1221\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1989. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 647 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. Unfortunately, the 1989 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1990, chapter 202; in 1991, chapter 364; in 1995, chapters 772<\/a> and 826<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 1028<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 830<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 815<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 805<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82383,"section_number":"2.2-438","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-438\/"},{"id":72379,"section_number":"63.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-100\/"},{"id":57240,"section_number":"63.2-1202","catch_line":"Parental, or agency, consent required; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1202\/"},{"id":84982,"section_number":"63.2-1207","catch_line":"Removal of child from adoptive home","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1207\/"},{"id":80789,"section_number":"63.2-1222","catch_line":"Execution of entrustment agreement by birth parent(s); exceptions; notice and objection to entrustment; copy required to be furnished; requirement for agencies outside the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1222\/"},{"id":83322,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-903\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":64749,"section_number":"63.2-1817","catch_line":"Acceptance and control over children by licensed child-placing agency, children's residential facility or independent foster home","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1817\/"},{"id":87280,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-900\/"},{"id":83322,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-903\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271489,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87110,"identifier":"63.2-1221","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1221","url":"\/63.2-1221\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1221\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/2\/63.2-1221","dublin_core":{"Title":"Placement of children for adoption by agency or local board","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1221","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> or local board<\/span> may place for adoption, and is empowered to consent to the adoption of, any child<\/span> who is properly committed or entrusted to its care, in accordance with the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 63.2-900<\/a>, 63.2-903<\/a>, 63.2-1817<\/a> or this section, when the order of commitment or the entrustment agreement between the birth parent<\/span>(s) and the agency or board provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child<\/span> for the purpose of placing and consenting to the adoption of such child<\/span>.\n\t\tThe entrustment agreement shall divest the birth parent<\/span>(s) of all legal rights and obligations with respect to the child<\/span>, and the child<\/span> shall be free from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance with respect to them, provided that such rights and obligations may be restored to the birth parent<\/span>(s) and the child<\/span> by circuit<\/span> court order<\/span> prior to the entry of a final order<\/span> of adoption upon proof of fraud<\/span> or duress. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities shall be executed in writing and notarized, and shall be revocable prior to entry of an order finalizing the agreement (i) upon proof of fraud<\/span> or duress, or (ii) after the placement of the child<\/span> in an adoptive home<\/span> upon written mutual consent of the birth parents<\/span> and prospective adoptive parents.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPLACEMENT OF CHILDREN FOR ADOPTION BY AGENCY OR LOCAL BOARD (\u00a7 63.2-1221)\n\nA licensed child-placing agency or local board may place for adoption, and is\nempowered to consent to the adoption of, any child who is properly committed or\nentrusted to its care, in accordance with the provisions of \u00a7\u00a7 63.2-900,\n63.2-903, 63.2-1817 or this section, when the order of commitment or the\nentrustment agreement between the birth parent(s) and the agency or board\nprovides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with\nrespect to the child for the purpose of placing and consenting to the adoption\nof such child.\n\t\tThe entrustment agreement shall divest the birth parent(s) of all legal rights\nand obligations with respect to the child, and the child shall be free from all\nlegal obligations of obedience and maintenance with respect to them, provided\nthat such rights and obligations may be restored to the birth parent(s) and the\nchild by circuit court order prior to the entry of a final order of adoption\nupon proof of fraud or duress. An entrustment agreement for the termination of\nall parental rights and responsibilities shall be executed in writing and\nnotarized, and shall be revocable prior to entry of an order finalizing the\nagreement (i) upon proof of fraud or duress, or (ii) after the placement of the\nchild in an adoptive home upon written mutual consent of the birth parents and\nprospective adoptive parents.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, c. 647, \u00a7 63.1-220.2; 1990, c. 202; 1991, c. 364; 1995, cc. 772,\n826; 1999, c. 1028; 2000, c. 830, \u00a7 63.1-219.28; 2002, c. 747; 2004, c. 815;\n2009, c. 805.","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}}