{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-903.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-903.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-903.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-903.html"}],"law_id":83322,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83322,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-73, 63-241; 1952, c. 409; 1960, c. 331; 1968, cc. 466, 578, 585, \u00a7\u00a7 63.1-56, 63.1-204; 1972, c. 50; 1974, c. 620; 1975, cc. 248, 406; 1977, cc. 559, 562, 634, 645; 1978, cc. 730, 734, 735; 1981, c. 259; 1984, c. 734; 1985, cc. 18, 285; 1986, cc. 88, 281; 1988, c. 882; 1989, c. 647; 1991, c. 34; 1994, c. 865; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 1999, cc. 889, 1028; 2000, c. 830; 2002, c. 747; 2004, c. 815; 2005, c. 890; 2007, cc. 606, 623; 2025, c. 547.","full_text":"A\n\nWhenever a local board accepts custody of a child pursuant to an entrustment agreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-900, or a licensed child-placing agency accepts custody of a child pursuant to an entrustment agreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-1817, in the city or county juvenile and domestic relations district court a petition for approval of the entrustment agreement (i) shall be filed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 89 days after the execution of an entrustment agreement for less than 90 days, if the child is not returned to his home within that period; (ii) shall be filed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days after the execution of an entrustment agreement for 90 days or longer or for an unspecified period of time, if such entrustment agreement does not provide for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child; and (iii) may be filed in the case of a permanent entrustment agreement which provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child.B\n\nFor purposes of §§ 63.2-900, 63.2-1817 and this section, a parent who is less than 18 years of age shall be deemed fully competent and shall have legal capacity to execute a valid entrustment agreement, including an agreement that provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities, and shall be as fully bound thereby as if such parent had attained the age of 18 years. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities shall be executed in writing and notarized. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child shall be valid notwithstanding that it is not signed by the father of a child born out of wedlock if the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable, or if such father is given notice of the entrustment by registered or certified mail to his last known address and fails to object to the entrustment within 15 days of mailing of such notice. An affidavit of the mother that the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable shall be sufficient evidence of this fact, provided there is no other evidence that would refute such an affidavit. The absence of such an affidavit shall not be deemed evidence that the identity of the father is reasonably ascertainable. For purposes of determining whether the identity of the father is reasonably ascertainable, the standard of what is reasonable under the circumstances shall control, taking into account the relative interests of the child, the mother and the father.C\n\nAn entrustment agreement for the termination of parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child shall be valid notwithstanding that it is not signed by the birth father of a child when such father has been convicted of a violation of subsection A of § 18.2-61, § 18.2-63, subsection B of § 18.2-366, or an equivalent offense of another state, the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction, or has been found by clear and convincing evidence to have engaged in the conduct prohibited by subsection A of § 18.2-61, § 18.2-63, or subsection B of § 18.2-366, whether or not the birth father has been charged with or convicted of the alleged violation, and the child was conceived as a result of such violation or conduct.D\n\nA child may be placed for adoption by a licensed child-placing agency or a local board, in accordance with the provisions of § 63.2-1221.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":298543,"text":"Whenever a local board accepts custody of a child pursuant to an entrustment agreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-900, or a licensed child-placing agency accepts custody of a child pursuant to an entrustment agreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-1817, in the city or county juvenile and domestic relations district court a petition for approval of the entrustment agreement (i) shall be filed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 89 days after the execution of an entrustment agreement for less than 90 days, if the child is not returned to his home within that period; (ii) shall be filed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days after the execution of an entrustment agreement for 90 days or longer or for an unspecified period of time, if such entrustment agreement does not provide for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child; and (iii) may be filed in the case of a permanent entrustment agreement which provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":298544,"text":"For purposes of §§ 63.2-900, 63.2-1817 and this section, a parent who is less than 18 years of age shall be deemed fully competent and shall have legal capacity to execute a valid entrustment agreement, including an agreement that provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities, and shall be as fully bound thereby as if such parent had attained the age of 18 years. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities shall be executed in writing and notarized. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child shall be valid notwithstanding that it is not signed by the father of a child born out of wedlock if the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable, or if such father is given notice of the entrustment by registered or certified mail to his last known address and fails to object to the entrustment within 15 days of mailing of such notice. An affidavit of the mother that the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable shall be sufficient evidence of this fact, provided there is no other evidence that would refute such an affidavit. The absence of such an affidavit shall not be deemed evidence that the identity of the father is reasonably ascertainable. For purposes of determining whether the identity of the father is reasonably ascertainable, the standard of what is reasonable under the circumstances shall control, taking into account the relative interests of the child, the mother and the father.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":298545,"text":"An entrustment agreement for the termination of parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child shall be valid notwithstanding that it is not signed by the birth father of a child when such father has been convicted of a violation of subsection A of § 18.2-61, § 18.2-63, subsection B of § 18.2-366, or an equivalent offense of another state, the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction, or has been found by clear and convincing evidence to have engaged in the conduct prohibited by subsection A of § 18.2-61, § 18.2-63, or subsection B of § 18.2-366, whether or not the birth father has been charged with or convicted of the alleged violation, and the child was conceived as a result of such violation or conduct.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":298546,"text":"A child may be placed for adoption by a licensed child-placing agency or a local board, in accordance with the provisions of § 63.2-1221.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14390,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14389,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271971,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14390,"identifier":"1","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14389,"edition_id":1,"name":"Foster Care","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:58","permalink":{"id":271969,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14389,"identifier":"9","token":"63.2\/III\/9","url":"\/63.2\/III\/9\/","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":87280,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900","catch_line":"Accepting children for placement in homes, facilities, etc., by local boards","url":"\/63.2-900\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900","metadata":false},{"id":64851,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.1","catch_line":"Kinship foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.1","metadata":false},{"id":70505,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.2","catch_line":"Placement of sibling groups; visitation","url":"\/63.2-900.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.2","metadata":false},{"id":76064,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-900.3","catch_line":"School placement of children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-900.3\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-900.3","metadata":false},{"id":72206,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-901","catch_line":"Supervision of placement of children in homes","url":"\/63.2-901\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-901","metadata":false},{"id":81648,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-901.1","catch_line":"Criminal history and central registry check for placements of children","url":"\/63.2-901.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-901.1","metadata":false},{"id":70305,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-902","catch_line":"Agreements with persons taking children; dispute resolution; appeals","url":"\/63.2-902\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-902","metadata":false},{"id":83322,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-903","catch_line":"Entrustment agreements; 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enrollment in Commonwealth's program of medical assistance","url":"\/63.2-905.4\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.4","metadata":false},{"id":56947,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.5","catch_line":"Survey of children aging out of foster care","url":"\/63.2-905.5\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.5","metadata":false},{"id":73230,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-905.6","catch_line":"Notice of eligibility for certain federal benefits","url":"\/63.2-905.6\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-905.6","metadata":false},{"id":80427,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906","catch_line":"Foster care plans; permissible plan goals; court review of foster children","url":"\/63.2-906\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906","metadata":false},{"id":86904,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-906.1","catch_line":"Qualified residential treatment programs","url":"\/63.2-906.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-906.1","metadata":false},{"id":81818,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-907","catch_line":"Administrative review of children in foster care","url":"\/63.2-907\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-907","metadata":false},{"id":83951,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-908","catch_line":"Permanent foster care placement","url":"\/63.2-908\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-908","metadata":false},{"id":59063,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-909","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care by court","url":"\/63.2-909\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-909","metadata":false},{"id":63433,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910","catch_line":"Child support for child placed in foster care where legal custody remains with parent or guardian","url":"\/63.2-910\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910","metadata":false},{"id":60943,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.1","catch_line":"Acceptance of children by local departments of social services","url":"\/63.2-910.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.1","metadata":false},{"id":56471,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-910.2","catch_line":"Petition to terminate parental rights","url":"\/63.2-910.2\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-910.2","metadata":false},{"id":68598,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-911","catch_line":"Liability insurance for foster parents","url":"\/63.2-911\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-911","metadata":false},{"id":82345,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912","catch_line":"Visitation of child placed in foster care","url":"\/63.2-912\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912","metadata":false},{"id":75827,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-912.1","catch_line":"Notification of certain rights of foster parents of public school students","url":"\/63.2-912.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-912.1","metadata":false},{"id":65725,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913","catch_line":"Establishment of minimum training requirements","url":"\/63.2-913\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913","metadata":false},{"id":57259,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-913.1","catch_line":"Caseload standard","url":"\/63.2-913.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-913.1","metadata":false},{"id":80392,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-914","catch_line":"Not in effect","url":"\/63.2-914\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-914","metadata":false},{"id":61194,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-915","catch_line":"Appeals to Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-915\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-915","metadata":false},{"id":57653,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-916","catch_line":"Notice of developmental disabilities","url":"\/63.2-916\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-916","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":70305,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-902","catch_line":"Agreements with persons taking children; dispute resolution; appeals","url":"\/63.2-902\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-902","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76669,"structure_id":14390,"section_number":"63.2-904","catch_line":"Investigation, visitation, and supervision of foster homes or independent living arrangement; removal of child","url":"\/63.2-904\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-904","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-903\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 24 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 1952, chapter 409; in 1960, chapter 331; in 1968, chapters 466, 578, and 585; in 1972, chapter 50; in 1974, chapter 620; in 1975, chapters 248 and 406; in 1977, chapters 559, 562, 634, and 645; in 1978, chapters 730, 734, and 735; in 1981, chapter 259; in 1984, chapter 734; in 1985, chapters 18 and 285; in 1986, chapters 88 and 281; in 1988, chapter 882; in 1989, chapter 647; in 1991, chapter 34; in 1994, chapter 865<\/a>; in 1995, chapters 772<\/a> and 826<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 889<\/a> and 1028<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 830<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 815<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 890<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 606<\/a> and 623<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 547<\/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":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":87110,"section_number":"63.2-1221","catch_line":"Placement of children for adoption by agency or local board","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1221\/"},{"id":59613,"section_number":"63.2-320","catch_line":"Accepting and expending certain funds on behalf of children placed by or entrusted to local board when no guardian appointed; disposition of funds when children discharged","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-320\/"},{"id":67545,"section_number":"63.2-401","catch_line":"Reimbursement of localities by the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-401\/"},{"id":72206,"section_number":"63.2-901","catch_line":"Supervision of placement of children in homes","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-901\/"},{"id":80427,"section_number":"63.2-906","catch_line":"Foster care plans; permissible plan goals; court review of foster children","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-906\/"},{"id":83951,"section_number":"63.2-908","catch_line":"Permanent foster care placement","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-908\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":76153,"section_number":"18.2-366","catch_line":"Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-366\/"},{"id":75662,"section_number":"18.2-61","catch_line":"Rape","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-61\/"},{"id":76651,"section_number":"18.2-63","catch_line":"Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-63\/"},{"id":87110,"section_number":"63.2-1221","catch_line":"Placement of children for adoption by agency or local board","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1221\/"},{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":272001,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83322,"identifier":"63.2-903","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-903","url":"\/63.2-903\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-903\/","token":"63.2\/III\/9\/1\/63.2-903","dublin_core":{"Title":"Entrustment agreements; adoption","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-903","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Whenever a local board<\/span> accepts custody<\/span> of a child<\/span> pursuant to an entrustment agreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-900<\/a>, or a licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> accepts custody<\/span> of a child<\/span> pursuant to an entrustment agreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-1817<\/a>, in the city or county juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> a petition<\/span> for approval of the entrustment agreement (i) shall be filed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 89 days after the execution of an entrustment agreement for less than 90 days, if the child<\/span> is not returned to his home within that period; (ii) shall be filed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days after the execution of an entrustment agreement for 90 days or longer or for an unspecified period of time, if such entrustment agreement does not provide for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child<\/span>; and (iii) may be filed in the case of a permanent entrustment agreement which provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> For purposes of §§ 63.2-900<\/a>, 63.2-1817<\/a> and this section, a parent who is less than 18 years of age shall be deemed fully competent and shall have legal capacity to execute a valid entrustment agreement, including an agreement that provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities, and shall be as fully bound thereby as if such parent had attained the age of 18 years. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities shall be executed in writing and notarized. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child<\/span> shall be valid notwithstanding that it is not signed by the father of a child<\/span> born out of wedlock if the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable, or if such father is given notice of the entrustment by registered or certified mail to his last known address and fails to object<\/span> to the entrustment within 15 days of mailing of such notice. An affidavit<\/span> of the mother that the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable shall be sufficient evidence<\/span> of this fact<\/span>, provided there is no other evidence<\/span> that would refute such an affidavit<\/span>. The absence of such an affidavit<\/span> shall not be deemed evidence<\/span> that the identity of the father is reasonably ascertainable. For purposes of determining whether the identity of the father is reasonably ascertainable, the standard of what is reasonable under the circumstances shall control, taking into account the relative interests of the child<\/span>, the mother and the father. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> An entrustment agreement for the termination of parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child<\/span> shall be valid notwithstanding that it is not signed by the birth father of a child<\/span> when such father has been convicted of a violation of subsection A of § 18.2-61<\/a>, § 18.2-63<\/a>, subsection B of § 18.2-366<\/a>, or an equivalent offense<\/span> of another state, the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction<\/span>, or has been found by clear and convincing evidence<\/span> to have engaged in the conduct prohibited by subsection A of § 18.2-61<\/a>, § 18.2-63<\/a>, or subsection B of § 18.2-366<\/a>, whether or not the birth father has been charged with or convicted of the alleged violation, and the child<\/span> was conceived as a result of such violation or conduct. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A child<\/span> may be placed for adoption by a licensed child<\/span>-placing agency<\/span> or a local board<\/span>, in accordance with the provisions of § 63.2-1221<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nENTRUSTMENT AGREEMENTS; ADOPTION (\u00a7 63.2-903)\n\nA. Whenever a local board accepts custody of a child pursuant to an entrustment\nagreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-900, or a licensed\nchild-placing agency accepts custody of a child pursuant to an entrustment\nagreement entered into under the authority of § 63.2-1817, in the city or\ncounty juvenile and domestic relations district court a petition for approval of\nthe entrustment agreement (i) shall be filed within a reasonable period of time,\nnot to exceed 89 days after the execution of an entrustment agreement for less\nthan 90 days, if the child is not returned to his home within that period; (ii)\nshall be filed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days after\nthe execution of an entrustment agreement for 90 days or longer or for an\nunspecified period of time, if such entrustment agreement does not provide for\nthe termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the\nchild; and (iii) may be filed in the case of a permanent entrustment agreement\nwhich provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities\nwith respect to the child.\n\nB. For purposes of §§ 63.2-900, 63.2-1817 and this section, a parent\nwho is less than 18 years of age shall be deemed fully competent and shall have\nlegal capacity to execute a valid entrustment agreement, including an agreement\nthat provides for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities,\nand shall be as fully bound thereby as if such parent had attained the age of 18\nyears. An entrustment agreement for the termination of all parental rights and\nresponsibilities shall be executed in writing and notarized. An entrustment\nagreement for the termination of all parental rights and responsibilities with\nrespect to the child shall be valid notwithstanding that it is not signed by the\nfather of a child born out of wedlock if the identity of the father is not\nreasonably ascertainable, or if such father is given notice of the entrustment\nby registered or certified mail to his last known address and fails to object to\nthe entrustment within 15 days of mailing of such notice. An affidavit of the\nmother that the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable shall be\nsufficient evidence of this fact, provided there is no other evidence that would\nrefute such an affidavit. The absence of such an affidavit shall not be deemed\nevidence that the identity of the father is reasonably ascertainable. For\npurposes of determining whether the identity of the father is reasonably\nascertainable, the standard of what is reasonable under the circumstances shall\ncontrol, taking into account the relative interests of the child, the mother and\nthe father.\n\nC. An entrustment agreement for the termination of parental rights and\nresponsibilities with respect to the child shall be valid notwithstanding that\nit is not signed by the birth father of a child when such father has been\nconvicted of a violation of subsection A of § 18.2-61, § 18.2-63,\nsubsection B of § 18.2-366, or an equivalent offense of another state, the\nUnited States, or any foreign jurisdiction, or has been found by clear and\nconvincing evidence to have engaged in the conduct prohibited by subsection A of\n§ 18.2-61, § 18.2-63, or subsection B of § 18.2-366, whether or\nnot the birth father has been charged with or convicted of the alleged\nviolation, and the child was conceived as a result of such violation or conduct.\n\nD. A child may be placed for adoption by a licensed child-placing agency or a\nlocal board, in accordance with the provisions of § 63.2-1221.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-73, 63-241; 1952, c. 409; 1960, c. 331; 1968, cc.\n466, 578, 585, \u00a7\u00a7 63.1-56, 63.1-204; 1972, c. 50; 1974, c. 620; 1975, cc. 248,\n406; 1977, cc. 559, 562, 634, 645; 1978, cc. 730, 734, 735; 1981, c. 259; 1984,\nc. 734; 1985, cc. 18, 285; 1986, cc. 88, 281; 1988, c. 882; 1989, c. 647; 1991,\nc. 34; 1994, c. 865; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 1999, cc. 889, 1028; 2000, c. 830;\n2002, c. 747; 2004, c. 815; 2005, c. 890; 2007, cc. 606, 623; 2025, c. 547.","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}}