{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1242.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1242.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1242.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1242.2.html"}],"law_id":67628,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67628,"structure_id":15653,"section_number":"63.2-1242.2","catch_line":"Close relative adoption; child in home less than two years","history":"2006, cc. 825, 848; 2010, c. 306; 2018, c. 4.","full_text":"A\n\nWhen the child has continuously resided in the home or has been in the continuous physical custody of the prospective adoptive parent(s) who is a close relative for less than two years, the adoption proceeding, including court approval of the home study, shall commence in the juvenile and domestic relations district court pursuant to the parental placement adoption provisions of this chapter with the following exceptions:1\n\nThe birth parent(s)’ consent does not have to be executed in juvenile and domestic relations district court in the presence of the prospective adoptive parents.2\n\nThe simultaneous meeting specified in § 63.2-1231 is not required.3\n\nNo hearing is required for this proceeding.B\n\nUpon the juvenile and domestic relations district court issuing an order accepting consents or otherwise dealing with birth parents rights and appointing the close relative(s) custodians of the child, the close relative(s) may file a petition in the circuit court as provided in Article 1 (§ 63.2-1200 et seq.) of this chapter.C\n\nFor adoptions under this section:1\n\nAn order of reference, an investigation and a report shall not be made if the home study report is filed with the circuit court unless the circuit court in its discretion requires an investigation and report to be made.2\n\nThe circuit court may omit the probationary period and the interlocutory order and enter a final order of adoption when the court is of the opinion that the entry of an order would otherwise be proper.3\n\nIf the circuit court determines that there is a need for an additional investigation, it shall refer the matter to the licensed child-placing agency that drafted the home study report for an investigation and report, which shall be completed within such times as the circuit court designates.4\n\nThe circuit court may waive appointment of a guardian ad litem for the child.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":244993,"text":"When the child has continuously resided in the home or has been in the continuous physical custody of the prospective adoptive parent(s) who is a close relative for less than two years, the adoption proceeding, including court approval of the home study, shall commence in the juvenile and domestic relations district court pursuant to the parental placement adoption provisions of this chapter with the following exceptions:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":244994,"text":"The birth parent(s)’ consent does not have to be executed in juvenile and domestic relations district court in the presence of the prospective adoptive parents.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":244995,"text":"The simultaneous meeting specified in § 63.2-1231 is not required.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":244996,"text":"No hearing is required for this proceeding.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":244997,"text":"Upon the juvenile and domestic relations district court issuing an order accepting consents or otherwise dealing with birth parents rights and appointing the close relative(s) custodians of the child, the close relative(s) may file a petition in the circuit court as provided in Article 1 (§ 63.2-1200 et seq.) of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":244998,"text":"For adoptions under this section:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"6":{"id":244999,"text":"An order of reference, an investigation and a report shall not be made if the home study report is filed with the circuit court unless the circuit court in its discretion requires an investigation and report to be made.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"7":{"id":245000,"text":"The circuit court may omit the probationary period and the interlocutory order and enter a final order of adoption when the court is of the opinion that the entry of an order would otherwise be proper.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"8":{"id":245001,"text":"If the circuit court determines that there is a need for an additional investigation, it shall refer the matter to the licensed child-placing agency that drafted the home study report for an investigation and report, which shall be completed within such times as the circuit court designates.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"9":{"id":245002,"text":"The circuit court may waive appointment of a guardian ad litem for the child.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15653,"edition_id":1,"name":"Close Relative Adoption","identifier":"4.1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14096,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:57:24","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:57:24","permalink":{"id":271585,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15653,"identifier":"4.1","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/","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":68832,"structure_id":15653,"section_number":"63.2-1242.1","catch_line":"Relative adoption","url":"\/63.2-1242.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/63.2-1242.1","metadata":false},{"id":67628,"structure_id":15653,"section_number":"63.2-1242.2","catch_line":"Close relative adoption; child in home less than two years","url":"\/63.2-1242.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/63.2-1242.2","metadata":false},{"id":59837,"structure_id":15653,"section_number":"63.2-1242.3","catch_line":"Close relative placement; child in home for two years or more","url":"\/63.2-1242.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/63.2-1242.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68832,"structure_id":15653,"section_number":"63.2-1242.1","catch_line":"Relative adoption","url":"\/63.2-1242.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/63.2-1242.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59837,"structure_id":15653,"section_number":"63.2-1242.3","catch_line":"Close relative placement; child in home for two years or more","url":"\/63.2-1242.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/63.2-1242.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1242.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 825<\/a> and 848<\/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 2 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 2010, chapter 306<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 4<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":67454,"section_number":"63.2-1200","catch_line":"Who may place children for adoption","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1200\/"},{"id":82655,"section_number":"63.2-1231","catch_line":"Home study; meeting required; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1231\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271591,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67628,"identifier":"63.2-1242.2","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/63.2-1242.2","url":"\/63.2-1242.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1242.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/12\/4.1\/63.2-1242.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Close relative adoption; child in home less than two years","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1242.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> When the child<\/span> has continuously resided in the home or has been in the continuous physical custody<\/span> of the prospective adoptive parent(s) who is a close relative for less than two years, the adoption proceeding, including court<\/span> approval of the home study, shall commence in the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> pursuant to the parental placement<\/span> adoption provisions of this chapter with the following exceptions: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The birth parent<\/span>(s)’ consent does not have to be executed in juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> in the presence of the prospective adoptive parents. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The simultaneous meeting specified in § 63.2-1231<\/a> is not required. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> No hearing<\/span> is required for this proceeding. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Upon the juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> issuing an order<\/span> accepting consents or otherwise dealing with birth parents<\/span> rights and appointing the close relative(s) custodians of the child<\/span>, the close relative(s) may file a petition<\/span> in the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> as provided in Article 1 (§ 63.2-1200<\/a> et seq.) of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For adoptions under this section: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> An order<\/span> of reference, an investigation and a report shall not be made if the home study report is filed with the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> unless the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> in its discretion requires an investigation and report to be made. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The circuit<\/span> court<\/span> may omit the probationary period and the interlocutory order<\/span> and enter a final order<\/span> of adoption when the court<\/span> is of the opinion<\/span> that the entry of an order would otherwise be proper. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> determines that there is a need for an additional investigation, it shall refer the matter to the licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> that drafted the home study report for an investigation and report, which shall be completed within such times as the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> designates. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The circuit<\/span> court<\/span> may waive<\/span> appointment of a guardian ad litem<\/span> for the child<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCLOSE RELATIVE ADOPTION; CHILD IN HOME LESS THAN TWO YEARS (\u00a7 63.2-1242.2)\n\nA. When the child has continuously resided in the home or has been in the\ncontinuous physical custody of the prospective adoptive parent(s) who is a close\nrelative for less than two years, the adoption proceeding, including court\napproval of the home study, shall commence in the juvenile and domestic\nrelations district court pursuant to the parental placement adoption provisions\nof this chapter with the following exceptions:\n\n 1. The birth parent(s)’ consent does not have to be executed in juvenile\n and domestic relations district court in the presence of the prospective\n adoptive parents.\n\n 2. The simultaneous meeting specified in § 63.2-1231 is not required.\n\n 3. No hearing is required for this proceeding.\n\nB. Upon the juvenile and domestic relations district court issuing an order\naccepting consents or otherwise dealing with birth parents rights and appointing\nthe close relative(s) custodians of the child, the close relative(s) may file a\npetition in the circuit court as provided in Article 1 (§ 63.2-1200 et\nseq.) of this chapter.\n\nC. For adoptions under this section:\n\n 1. An order of reference, an investigation and a report shall not be made if\n the home study report is filed with the circuit court unless the circuit court\n in its discretion requires an investigation and report to be made.\n\n 2. The circuit court may omit the probationary period and the interlocutory\n order and enter a final order of adoption when the court is of the opinion\n that the entry of an order would otherwise be proper.\n\n 3. If the circuit court determines that there is a need for an additional\n investigation, it shall refer the matter to the licensed child-placing agency\n that drafted the home study report for an investigation and report, which\n shall be completed within such times as the circuit court designates.\n\n 4. The circuit court may waive appointment of a guardian ad litem for the\n child.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, cc. 825, 848; 2010, c. 306; 2018, c. 4.","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}}