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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79948</law_id><section_number>32.1-261</section_number><catch_line>New certificate of birth established on proof of adoption, legitimation, or determination of paternity, or change of sex</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>20-160</reference><reference>20-162</reference><reference>20-49.8</reference><reference>32.1-261</reference><reference>32.1-262</reference><reference>63.2-1200.1</reference><reference>63.2-1220</reference><reference>63.2-1220.01</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="32.1">Health</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="7">Vital Records</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Birth Certificates</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The State Registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for a <span class="dictionary">person</span> born in the Commonwealth upon receipt of the following: <a id="paragraph-286340" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> An adoption report as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Records of adoptions" href="/32.1-262/">32.1-262</a>, a report of adoption prepared and filed in accordance with the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of another state or foreign country, or a certified copy of the <span class="dictionary">decree</span> of adoption together with the information necessary to identify the original certificate of birth and to establish a new certificate of birth; except that a new certificate of birth shall not be established if so requested by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> decreeing the adoption, the adoptive parents, or the adopted <span class="dictionary">person</span> if 18 years of age or older. <a id="paragraph-286341" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A request that a new certificate be established and such <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> as may be required by regulation of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> proving that such <span class="dictionary">person</span> has been legitimated or that a <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the Commonwealth has, by <span class="dictionary">final order</span>, determined the paternity of such <span class="dictionary">person</span>. The request shall state that no <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> has been taken from the <span class="dictionary">final order</span> and that the time allowed to perfect an <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> has expired. <a id="paragraph-286342" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> An order entered pursuant to subsection D of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Petition and hearing for court approval of surrogacy contract; requirements; orders" href="/20-160/">20-160</a>. The order shall contain sufficient information to identify the original certificate of birth and to establish a new certificate of birth in the names of the intended parents. <a id="paragraph-286343" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> A surrogate consent and report form as authorized by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Contracts not approved by the court; requirements" href="/20-162/">20-162</a>. The report shall contain sufficient information to identify the original certificate of birth and to establish a new certificate of birth in the names of the intended parents. <a id="paragraph-286344" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Upon request of a <span class="dictionary">person</span> and in accordance with requirements of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, the State Registrar shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a new certificate of birth to show a change of sex of the <span class="dictionary">person</span> and, if a certified copy of a <span class="dictionary">court order</span> changing the <span class="dictionary">person</span>&#x2019;s name is submitted, to show a new name. Requirements related to obtaining a new certificate of birth to show a change of sex shall include a requirement that the <span class="dictionary">person</span> requesting the new certificate of birth submit a form furnished by the State Registrar and completed by a health care provider from whom the <span class="dictionary">person</span> has received treatment stating that the <span class="dictionary">person</span> has undergone clinically appropriate treatment for gender transition. Requirements related to obtaining a new certificate of birth to show a change of sex shall not include any requirement for <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> or documentation of any medical procedure. <a id="paragraph-286345" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Nothing in this section shall deprive the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court of <span class="dictionary">equitable</span> <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> to <span class="dictionary">adjudicate</span>, upon application of a <span class="dictionary">person</span>, that the sex of such <span class="dictionary">person</span> residing within the territorial <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court has been changed. In such an action, the <span class="dictionary">person</span> may <span class="dictionary">petition</span> for the application of the standard of the <span class="dictionary">person</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of birth; otherwise, the requirements of this section shall apply. <a id="paragraph-286346" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> When a new certificate of birth is established pursuant to subsection A, the actual place and date of birth shall be shown. It shall be substituted for the original certificate of birth. Thereafter, the original certificate and the <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of adoption, paternity or legitimation shall be <span class="dictionary">sealed</span> and filed and not be subject to inspection except upon order of a court of the Commonwealth or in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Registrar; duties; delegations" href="/32.1-252/">32.1-252</a>. However, upon receipt of notice of a decision or order granting an adult adopted <span class="dictionary">person</span> access to identifying information regarding his birth parents from the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Social Services or a <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court, and proof of identification and payment, the State Registrar shall mail an adult adopted <span class="dictionary">person</span> a copy of the original certificate of birth. <a id="paragraph-286347" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Upon receipt of a report of an amended <span class="dictionary">decree</span> of adoption, the certificate of birth shall be amended as provided by regulation. <a id="paragraph-286348" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Upon receipt of notice or <span class="dictionary">decree</span> of <span class="dictionary">annulment</span> of adoption, the original certificate of birth shall be restored to its place in the <span class="dictionary">files</span> and the new certificate and <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> shall not be subject to inspection except upon order of a court of the Commonwealth or in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Registrar; duties; delegations" href="/32.1-252/">32.1-252</a>. <a id="paragraph-286349" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The State Registrar shall, upon request, establish and register a Virginia certificate of birth for a <span class="dictionary">person</span> born in a foreign country (i) upon receipt of a report of adoption for an adoption finalized pursuant to the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the foreign country as provided in subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Recognition of foreign adoption; issuance of birth certificates" href="/63.2-1200.1/">63.2-1200.1</a> or (ii) upon receipt of a report or <span class="dictionary">final order</span> of adoption entered in a court of the Commonwealth as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Records of adoptions" href="/32.1-262/">32.1-262</a>; however, a Virginia certificate of birth shall not be established or registered if so requested by the court decreeing the adoption, the adoptive parents or the adopted <span class="dictionary">person</span> if 18 years of age or older. If a <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court of the Commonwealth corrects or establishes a date of birth for a <span class="dictionary">person</span> born in a foreign country during the adoption proceedings or upon a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> to <span class="dictionary">amend</span> a certificate of foreign birth, the State Registrar shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a certificate showing the date of birth established by the court. After <span class="dictionary">registration</span> of the birth certificate in the new name of the adopted <span class="dictionary">person</span>, the State Registrar shall seal and <span class="dictionary">file</span> the report of adoption which shall not be subject to inspection except upon order of a court of the Commonwealth or in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Registrar; duties; delegations" href="/32.1-252/">32.1-252</a>. The birth certificate shall (i) show the true or probable foreign country of birth and (ii) state that the certificate is not <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of United States citizenship for the child for whom it is issued or for the adoptive parents. However, for any adopted <span class="dictionary">person</span> who has attained United States citizenship, the State Registrar shall, upon request and receipt of <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> demonstrating such citizenship, establish and register a new certificate of birth that does not contain the statement required by clause (ii). <a id="paragraph-286350" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> If no certificate of birth is on <span class="dictionary">file</span> for the <span class="dictionary">person</span> for whom a new certificate is to be established under this section, a delayed certificate of birth shall be filed with the State Registrar as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Filing and registration of delayed birth certificates; refusal of registration; notice of right of appeal" href="/32.1-259/">32.1-259</a> or <a class="law" title="Petition for court order establishing record of birth when delayed certificate rejected; hearing; notice; findings; registration of court order" href="/32.1-260/">32.1-260</a> before a new certificate of birth is established, except that when the date and place of birth and parentage have been established in the adoption proceedings, a delayed certificate shall not be required. <a id="paragraph-286351" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> When a new certificate of birth is established pursuant to subdivision A 1, the State Registrar shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> along with the new certificate of birth a document, furnished by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Social Services pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Issuance of birth certificates for children adopted in the Commonwealth" href="/63.2-1220/">63.2-1220</a>, listing all post-adoption services available to adoptive families. <a id="paragraph-286352" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> When a new certificate of birth is established pursuant to subdivision A 1, and (i) at least one adoptive parent is an active duty or retired member of the military or military reserves and (ii) the filer notifies the <span class="dictionary">clerk of court</span> in writing that an adoptive parent has military status as required herein, the clerk of the court decreeing the adoption shall deliver the adoption records and a standardized confirmation of active duty or retired military or military reserves membership of either adoptive parent to the State Registrar no later than five business days after receipt by such clerk of the final <span class="dictionary">decree</span> from the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> who entered such <span class="dictionary">decree</span>. The State Registrar shall expedite the issuance of the new certificate of birth to the adoptive parents upon receipt of (a) adoption records as provided for in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="New certificate of birth established on proof of adoption, legitimation, or determination of paternity, or change of sex" href="/32.1-261/">32.1-261</a>, (b) standardized notice from the court that finalized the adoption that at least one adoptive parent is an active duty or retired member of the military or military reserves, and (c) a completed request to the Virginia <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Health that a new certificate of birth for the registrant be prepared. Requirements set forth in &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Disclosure of information in records; when unlawful; when permitted; proceeding to compel disclosure; when certain records made public" href="/32.1-271/">32.1-271</a>, <a class="law" title="Certified copies of vital records; other copies" href="/32.1-272/">32.1-272</a>, and <a class="law" title="Fees for certified copies, searches of files, etc.; disposition" href="/32.1-273/">32.1-273</a> shall apply to the disclosure of information or issuance of the adopted registrant&#x2019;s new certificate of birth. <a id="paragraph-286353" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/32.1-261/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 32-353.19; 1956, c. 259; 1960, c. 451; 1972, c. 823; 1977, c. 531; 1979, c. 711; 1983, c. 240; 1984, c. 219; 1991, c. 600; 2003, c. 985; 2011, cc. 486, 784; 2014, c. 621; 2015, cc. 5, 17; 2020, cc. 465, 466; 2024, cc. 45, 119.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
