                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN BY PARENT OR GUARDIAN (§ 63.2-1230)

The birth parent, legal guardian, or adoptive parent of a child may place his
child for adoption directly with the prospective adoptive parents of his choice.
Such parent or legal guardian may execute a power of attorney to the prospective
adoptive parent for discharge of a newborn infant from a hospital or for the
initial physical placement of a child with a prospective adoptive parent
pursuant to subsection B of § 20-166 and subsection A of § 54.1-2969. Consent
to the proposed adoption shall be executed upon compliance with the provisions
of this chapter before a juvenile and domestic relations district court or, if
the birth parent or legal guardian does not reside in Virginia, before a court
having jurisdiction over child custody matters in the jurisdiction where the
birth parent or legal guardian resides when requested by a juvenile and domestic
relations district court of this Commonwealth, pursuant to § 20-146.11. Consent
proceedings shall be advanced on the juvenile and domestic relations district
court docket so as to be heard by the court within 10 days of filing of the
petition, or as soon thereafter as practicable so as to provide the earliest
possible disposition.

HISTORY: 1989, c. 647, § 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, § 63.1-219.37;
2001, c. 305; 2002, c. 747; 2009, c. 805; 2024, c. 90.