                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FEES FOR HOME STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS, VISITATIONS AND REPORTS (§ 63.2-1248)

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 17.1-275, the circuit court with
jurisdiction over any adoption matter, or the person, agency, or child-placing
agency that attempts to locate the birth family pursuant to § 63.2-1246 or
subsection B of § 63.2-1247, or that attempts to locate the adult adoptee
pursuant to subsection A of § 63.2-1247, shall assess a fee against the
petitioner, or applicant and, in the case of local departments, shall assess
such fee in accordance with regulations and fee schedules established by the
Board, for home studies, investigations, visits and reports provided by the
appropriate local department, person, or agency pursuant to §§ 20-160,
63.2-1208, 63.2-1212, 63.2-1231, 63.2-1238 or § 63.2-1246. The Board shall
adopt regulations and fee schedules, which shall include (i) standards for
determining the petitioner&#8217;s or applicant&#8217;s ability to pay and (ii)
a scale of fees based on the petitioner&#8217;s or applicant&#8217;s income and
family size and the actual cost of the services provided. The fee charged shall
not exceed the actual cost of the service. The fee shall be paid to the
appropriate local department, person, or agency and a receipt therefor shall be
provided to the circuit court, or to the Commissioner if pursuant to §
63.2-1246 or § 63.2-1247, prior to the acceptance of parental consent, entry of
any final order, or release of identifying information by the Commissioner, and
no court shall accept parental consent or enter any final order and the
Commissioner shall not release any identifying information until proof of
payment of such fees has been received.

HISTORY: 1987, c. 5, § 63.1-236.1; 1989, c. 214; 1990, cc. 101, 297; 1991, c.
600; 1992, c. 607; 1995, cc. 772, 826; 2000, c. 830, § 63.1-219.55; 2002, c.
747.