{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1231.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1231.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1231.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1231.html"}],"law_id":82655,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82655,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1231","catch_line":"Home study; meeting required; exception","history":"1989, c. 647, \u00a7 63.1-220.3; 1991, cc. 364, 602; 1992, c. 125; 1993, cc. 338, 553; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 1999, c. 1028; 2000, c. 830, \u00a7 63.1-219.38; 2002, c. 747; 2006, cc. 825, 848; 2007, c. 808; 2008, c. 494; 2010, c. 551; 2014, c. 285; 2017, c. 193; 2023, c. 340.","full_text":"A\n\nPrior to the consent hearing in the juvenile and domestic relations district court, a home study of the adoptive parent(s) shall be completed by a licensed or duly authorized child-placing agency and the prospective adoptive parents shall be informed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and resources for help and support for caretakers is available on a website maintained by the Department in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board. Home studies by local boards or licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective adoptive parent, subject to any time limitations set forth in subsection B and any other requirements imposed by law or regulation.\n\t\t\tAll home studies conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a child-placing agency, shall make inquiry as to (i) whether the prospective adoptive parents are financially able, morally suitable, and in satisfactory physical and mental health to enable them to care for the child; (ii) the physical and mental condition of the child, if known; (iii) the circumstances under which the child came to live, or will be living, in the home of the prospective adoptive family, as applicable; (iv) what fees have been paid by the prospective adoptive family or in their behalf in the placement and adoption of the child; (v) whether the requirements of subdivisions A 1, 2, 3, and 5 of § 63.2-1232 have been met; and (vi) any other matters specified by the circuit court. In the course of the home study, the agency social worker, family-services specialist, or other qualified equivalent worker shall meet at least once with the birth parent(s) and at least once with the prospective adoptive parents. Upon agreement of both parties, such meetings may occur simultaneously or separately.B\n\nAny home study conducted pursuant to this section for the purpose of parental placement or agency placement shall be valid for a period of 36 months from the date of completion of the study. However, the Board may, by regulation, require an additional state criminal background check before finalizing an adoption if more than 18 months have passed from the completion of the home study.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":296122,"text":"Prior to the consent hearing in the juvenile and domestic relations district court, a home study of the adoptive parent(s) shall be completed by a licensed or duly authorized child-placing agency and the prospective adoptive parents shall be informed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and resources for help and support for caretakers is available on a website maintained by the Department in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board. Home studies by local boards or licensed child-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing agency, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective adoptive parent, subject to any time limitations set forth in subsection B and any other requirements imposed by law or regulation.\n\t\t\tAll home studies conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a child-placing agency, shall make inquiry as to (i) whether the prospective adoptive parents are financially able, morally suitable, and in satisfactory physical and mental health to enable them to care for the child; (ii) the physical and mental condition of the child, if known; (iii) the circumstances under which the child came to live, or will be living, in the home of the prospective adoptive family, as applicable; (iv) what fees have been paid by the prospective adoptive family or in their behalf in the placement and adoption of the child; (v) whether the requirements of subdivisions A 1, 2, 3, and 5 of § 63.2-1232 have been met; and (vi) any other matters specified by the circuit court. In the course of the home study, the agency social worker, family-services specialist, or other qualified equivalent worker shall meet at least once with the birth parent(s) and at least once with the prospective adoptive parents. Upon agreement of both parties, such meetings may occur simultaneously or separately.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":296123,"text":"Any home study conducted pursuant to this section for the purpose of parental placement or agency placement shall be valid for a period of 36 months from the date of completion of the study. However, the Board may, by regulation, require an additional state criminal background check before finalizing an adoption if more than 18 months have passed from the completion of the home study.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14097,"edition_id":1,"name":"Parental Placement Adoptions","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14096,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:52","permalink":{"id":271529,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14097,"identifier":"3","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3","url":"\/63.2\/III\/12\/3\/","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":63566,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1230","catch_line":"Placement of children by parent or guardian","url":"\/63.2-1230\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1230","metadata":false},{"id":82655,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1231","catch_line":"Home study; meeting required; exception","url":"\/63.2-1231\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1231","metadata":false},{"id":75426,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1232","catch_line":"Requirements of a parental placement adoption; exception","url":"\/63.2-1232\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1232","metadata":false},{"id":69788,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1233","catch_line":"Consent to be executed in juvenile and domestic relations district court; exceptions","url":"\/63.2-1233\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1233","metadata":false},{"id":80402,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1234","catch_line":"When consent is revocable","url":"\/63.2-1234\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1234","metadata":false},{"id":55223,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1235","catch_line":"Adoptive home not in child's best interests","url":"\/63.2-1235\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1235","metadata":false},{"id":76454,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1236","catch_line":"Duty of Department to disseminate information","url":"\/63.2-1236\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1236","metadata":false},{"id":79340,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1237","catch_line":"Petition for parental placement adoption; jurisdiction; contents","url":"\/63.2-1237\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1237","metadata":false},{"id":63654,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1238","catch_line":"Forwarding of petition; when investigation and report not required","url":"\/63.2-1238\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1238","metadata":false},{"id":71186,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1239","catch_line":"Return of copies furnished to counsel","url":"\/63.2-1239\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1239","metadata":false},{"id":78297,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1240","catch_line":"Court issuing order deemed sending agency under Interstate Compact on Placement of Children","url":"\/63.2-1240\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1240","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":63566,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1230","catch_line":"Placement of children by parent or guardian","url":"\/63.2-1230\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1230","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75426,"structure_id":14097,"section_number":"63.2-1232","catch_line":"Requirements of a parental placement adoption; exception","url":"\/63.2-1232\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1232","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1231\/","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 14 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 1991, chapters 364 and 602; in 1992, chapter 125; in 1993, chapters 338 and 553; in 1995, chapters 772<\/a> and 826<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 1028<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 830<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2006, chapters 825<\/a> and 848<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 808<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 494<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 551<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 285<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 193<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 340<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":75426,"section_number":"63.2-1232","catch_line":"Requirements of a parental placement adoption; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1232\/"},{"id":69788,"section_number":"63.2-1233","catch_line":"Consent to be executed in juvenile and domestic relations district court; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1233\/"},{"id":79340,"section_number":"63.2-1237","catch_line":"Petition for parental placement adoption; jurisdiction; contents","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1237\/"},{"id":67628,"section_number":"63.2-1242.2","catch_line":"Close relative adoption; child in home less than two years","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1242.2\/"},{"id":65499,"section_number":"63.2-1248","catch_line":"Fees for home studies, investigations, visitations and reports","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1248\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":75426,"section_number":"63.2-1232","catch_line":"Requirements of a parental placement adoption; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1232\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271535,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82655,"identifier":"63.2-1231","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1231","url":"\/63.2-1231\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1231\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/3\/63.2-1231","dublin_core":{"Title":"Home study; meeting required; exception","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1231","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Prior to the consent hearing<\/span> in the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span>, a home study of the adoptive parent(s) shall be completed by a licensed or duly authorized child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> and the prospective adoptive parents shall be informed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and resources for help and support for caretakers is available on a website maintained by the Department<\/span> in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board. Home studies by local boards<\/span> or licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies shall be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department<\/span>. All home studies, including all related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board<\/span> or a licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span>, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards<\/span>, and licensed child<\/span>-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective adoptive parent, subject to any time limitations set forth in subsection B and any other requirements imposed by law<\/span> or regulation.\n\t\t\tAll home studies conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board<\/span> or a child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span>, shall make inquiry as to (i) whether the prospective adoptive parents are financially able, morally suitable, and in satisfactory physical and mental health to enable them to care for the child<\/span>; (ii) the physical and mental condition of the child<\/span>, if known; (iii) the circumstances under which the child<\/span> came to live, or will be living, in the home of the prospective adoptive family, as applicable; (iv) what fees have been paid by the prospective adoptive family or in their behalf in the placement and adoption of the child<\/span>; (v) whether the requirements of subdivisions A 1, 2, 3, and 5 of § 63.2-1232<\/a> have been met; and (vi) any other matters specified by the circuit<\/span> court<\/span>. In the course of the home study, the agency social worker, family-services specialist, or other qualified equivalent worker shall meet at least once with the birth parent<\/span>(s) and at least once with the prospective adoptive parents. Upon agreement of both parties, such meetings may occur simultaneously or separately. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any home study conducted pursuant to this section for the purpose of parental placement<\/span> or agency placement shall be valid for a period of 36 months from the date of completion of the study. However, the Board may, by regulation, require an additional state criminal background check before finalizing an adoption if more than 18 months have passed from the completion of the home study. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHOME STUDY; MEETING REQUIRED; EXCEPTION (\u00a7 63.2-1231)\n\nA. Prior to the consent hearing in the juvenile and domestic relations district\ncourt, a home study of the adoptive parent(s) shall be completed by a licensed\nor duly authorized child-placing agency and the prospective adoptive parents\nshall be informed that information about shaken baby syndrome, its effects, and\nresources for help and support for caretakers is available on a website\nmaintained by the Department in accordance with regulations adopted by the\nBoard. Home studies by local boards or licensed child-placing agencies shall be\nconducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template\nand any addenda thereto developed by the Department. All home studies, including\nall related approval documentation other than background checks, conducted\npursuant to this section, whether by a local board or a licensed child-placing\nagency, shall be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed\nchild-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective\nadoptive parent, subject to any time limitations set forth in subsection B and\nany other requirements imposed by law or regulation.\n\t\t\tAll home studies conducted pursuant to this section, whether by a local board\nor a child-placing agency, shall make inquiry as to (i) whether the prospective\nadoptive parents are financially able, morally suitable, and in satisfactory\nphysical and mental health to enable them to care for the child; (ii) the\nphysical and mental condition of the child, if known; (iii) the circumstances\nunder which the child came to live, or will be living, in the home of the\nprospective adoptive family, as applicable; (iv) what fees have been paid by the\nprospective adoptive family or in their behalf in the placement and adoption of\nthe child; (v) whether the requirements of subdivisions A 1, 2, 3, and 5 of\n§ 63.2-1232 have been met; and (vi) any other matters specified by the\ncircuit court. In the course of the home study, the agency social worker,\nfamily-services specialist, or other qualified equivalent worker shall meet at\nleast once with the birth parent(s) and at least once with the prospective\nadoptive parents. Upon agreement of both parties, such meetings may occur\nsimultaneously or separately.\n\nB. Any home study conducted pursuant to this section for the purpose of parental\nplacement or agency placement shall be valid for a period of 36 months from the\ndate of completion of the study. However, the Board may, by regulation, require\nan additional state criminal background check before finalizing an adoption if\nmore than 18 months have passed from the completion of the home study.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, c. 647, \u00a7 63.1-220.3; 1991, cc. 364, 602; 1992, c. 125; 1993,\ncc. 338, 553; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 1999, c. 1028; 2000, c. 830, \u00a7 63.1-219.38;\n2002, c. 747; 2006, cc. 825, 848; 2007, c. 808; 2008, c. 494; 2010, c. 551;\n2014, c. 285; 2017, c. 193; 2023, c. 340.","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}}