Adoption Agencies in Virginia

If you are a pregnant woman or birth mother please click here to see information that is geared to your needs.

If you are an adopting family we believe you will find the information below helpful. We begin by giving you information regarding child adoption law in Virginia (some of what you can and can't do) and then provide you with information on children available for adoption in Virginia.  We then relate how we can assist you during the adoption process, and finally we provide a list of licensed Virginia adoption agencies through which you can browse for additional information.

Before starting to search for a child to adopt or an agency to assist you, it is important that you understand how the adoption laws in Virginia may affect your decisions. Making informed decisions is the best way of increasing your chances of adopting a child.  By way of example, we have listed below a few of the important parts of Virginia child adoption law including such topics as advertising, use of adoption facilitators, adoption expenses, and the critical issue of ending the biological parental rights (called a Consent, Relinquishment or Surrender).

Use of Advertising and Facilitators in Adoptive Placements
Use of Advertisement
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 63.2-1218; 63.2-1225

No person or child-placing agency shall charge, pay, give, or agree to give or accept any money, property, service, or other thing of value in connection with a placement or adoption. No person shall advertise or solicit to perform any activity prohibited by this section.
A physician, attorney, or clergyman shall not charge any fee for recommending [a placement of a child for adoption] to a board or agency and shall not advertise that he or she is available to make such recommendations.

Use of Intermediaries/Facilitators
Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1218

No person or child-placing agency shall charge, pay, give, or agree to give or accept any money, property, service, or other thing of value in connection with a placement or adoption or any act undertaken pursuant to this chapter except:

Reasonable and customary services provided by a licensed or duly authorized child-placing agency and fees paid for such services
Payment or reimbursement for medical expenses, reasonable and necessary living expenses for the birth mother, reasonable expenses incurred incidental to any required court appearance including, but not limited to, transportation, food, and lodging
Usual and customary fees for legal services in adoption proceedings

State Regulation of Adoption Expenses
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed
Citation: § 63.2-1218

Medical expenses and insurance premiums that are directly related to the birth mother's pregnancy and hospitalization
Mental health counseling for the birth mother and birth father
Reasonable and necessary expenses for food, clothing, and shelter when the birth mother is unable to work due to her pregnancy
Reimbursement for expenses incurred incident to any court appearance, including but not limited to food, lodging, and transportation
Fees for legal services
Transportation to any of the services provided

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed
Citation: § 63.2-1218

Fees determined to be in excess of usual or customary

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption
Citation: § 63.2-1218

No person or agency shall charge or accept payment in connection with an adoption unless it is for a service that is specifically allowed by statute.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child
Citation: § 63.2-1232(4)

All parties must understand that no binding contract regarding placement or adoption of the child exists based on any financial agreement.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court
Citation: § 63.2-1232(4)

Any financial agreements or exchange of property among the parties, and any fees paid or charged, must be disclosed to the court.

Consent to Adoption
Who Must Consent to an Adoption
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 63.2-1202; 63.2-1241

Consent shall be executed by:

The birth mother
Any man who:
Is an acknowledged father under § 20-49.1
Is an adjudicated father under § 20-49.8
Is a presumed father
Has registered with the Putative Father Registry pursuant to § 63.2-1249 et seq.
Is a putative father but who has not registered with the Putative Father Registry, if his identity is reasonably ascertainable
The child-placing agency or the local board having custody of the child, with the right to place the child for adoption, through court commitment or parental agreement
An agency outside the Commonwealth that is licensed or otherwise duly authorized to place children for adoption by virtue of the laws under which it operates
In a stepparent adoption, the adoption may be granted when:

The noncustodial birth parent consents, under oath, in writing to the adoption
The mother swears, under oath, in writing, that the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable, rendering his consent unnecessary
The putative father named by the mother denies paternity of the child, rendering his consent unnecessary
The child is age 14 or older and has lived in the home of the person desiring to adopt the child for at least 5 years
The noncustodial birth parent is deceased
The noncustodial birth parent executes a denial of paternity under oath and in writing
The noncustodial birth parent:
Is not an acknowledged father
Is not an adjudicated father
Is not a presumed father
Is not a putative father who has registered with the Putative Father Registry and the putative father's identity is not reasonably ascertainable

Age When Consent of Adoptee is Considered or Required
Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1202

Consent must be executed by the child if he or she is age 14 or older, unless the circuit court finds that the best interests of the child will be served by not requiring such consent.

When Parental Consent is not Needed
Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1202

No consent shall be required:
Of a birth father if he denies under oath and in writing the paternity of the child
When the birth father is convicted of rape, statutory rape, or incest or an equivalent offense of another State or any foreign jurisdiction, and the child was conceived as a result of such violation
Of any person whose parental rights have been terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction
Of a birth parent who, without just cause, has neither visited nor contacted the child for a period of 6 months prior to the filing of the petition for adoption
The failure of the nonconsenting party to appear at the scheduled hearing, either in person or by counsel, after proper notice has been given, shall constitute a waiver of any objection and right to consent to the adoption.

When Consent Can Be Executed
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 63.2-1202; 63.2-1233

A birth father not married to the mother of the child may consent to the termination of all of his parental rights prior to the birth of the child.

In a direct parental placement, the adoptive child must be at least in the third calendar day of life before the birth parents can execute consent before the juvenile and domestic relations court.

The execution of consent before the juvenile and domestic relations district court shall not be required of a birth father who is not married to the mother of the child at the time of the child's conception or birth if the birth father consents under oath and in writing to the adoption.

Revocation of Consent
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 63.2-1204; 63.2-1223; 63.2-1234

Parental consent to an adoption shall be revocable prior to the final order of adoption under these conditions:

Upon proof of fraud or duress
After placement of the child in an adoptive home, upon written, mutual consent of the birth parents and prospective adoptive parents
A valid entrustment agreement terminating all parental rights and responsibilities to the child shall be revocable by either of the birth parents until the child has reached the age of 10 days, and 7 days have elapsed from the date of execution of the agreement. In addition, a valid entrustment agreement shall be revocable by either of the birth parents if the child has not been placed in the physical custody of adoptive parents at the time of such revocation. Revocation of an entrustment agreement shall be in writing and signed by the revoking party. The written revocation shall be delivered to the child-placing agency or local board to which the child was originally entrusted.

In a direct parental placement, consent shall be revocable by either consenting birth parent for any reason for up to 10 days from its execution. Once the child is 10 days old, no executed consent can be withdrawn.

Such revocation shall be in writing, signed by the revoking party or counsel of record for the revoking party, and shall be filed with the clerk of the juvenile and domestic relations district court in which the petition was filed.

Rights of Presumed (Putative) Fathers
Registry/Paternity Requirements to Receive Notice
Citation: §§ 63.2-1202; 63.2-1222

The putative father must object to adoption proceedings within 21 days of the mailing of the notice of such proceedings.

Please visit adoption law in Virginia for more details.

Yes, through both public and private adoption agencies.  For example, in 2004, Virginia had 1,611 children in the welfare system waiting to be adopted of whom 50 were under the age of 1 year, and 496 were between ages 1-5 years old. The actual number of children adopted through Virginia public child welfare agencies was only 525, which represents only a small portion of the total number of all Virginia adoptions (exact numbers are not available at this time).

Remember that while you may be a resident of Virginia, you are not limited to adopting a child from Virginia.  You can adopt a child born in Virginia, a child born in any other U.S. state, or even a foreign born child.  What is important for you to understand is that infants and children are available for adoption in Virginia, in each of the other the 49 states, and in many foreign countries.

Yes, we can help you and so can any licensed child adoption agency (we have listed several below).  By way of introduction to Adoption Services, Inc, I will relate to you a little about myself and our child adoption agency.

Almost 40 years ago I (Dr. Vince Berger) began working as a psychologist with pregnant teens in the Pittsburgh city school system. It was very challenging because in those days there were very few services for these young women, society was not yet accepting of unmarried and/or pregnant teens, and the word "adoption" was hardly ever used.

I loved the work I was doing and knowing that I was personally able to help so many of the pregnant women I was working with. But something was missing - I did not feel I was helping people enough. So, I set out to provide the personal and professional care that a birth mother and adopting family need and deserve in the adoption process.

I started a full service, non-profit adoption agency. Not just any agency, but one that was, and still is, dedicated to helping birth parents and adopting families receive the best and most comprehensive of adoption related services. Over the past 20 years, my staff and I have helped over 9,000 adopting families, birth parents, their babies and children.

I love helping people. I work 6 days a week and answer calls at all hours. The hours I put in are long but never hard, since I find so much joy and strength in helping others.

My goal continues to be to help you. Accordingly, in addition to the website you are on now and the Adoption Services website, we created Adopting Family Resources and International Adoption Help as well as Child Adoption Laws and Child Adoption Resources and Pregnancy And Children to give you a information and help.

I hope that you will call me or my staff so we can help you in the adoption process. However, if you don't want to call us, then please review the agencies listed here and give one of them a call. Do not give up until you get the help and attention you need and deserve.

Thank you for letting us help, and good luck.

Dr. Berger
and the staff of Adoption Services

ABC Adoption Services
4725 Garst Mill Road
Roanoke, VA 24018
Phone: (540) 989-2845
Fax: (540) 989-3509
Toll-Free: (800) 322-0555

Adoption Options/Jewish Social Service Agency, Inc. (Adoption Options)
3018 Javier Road
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: (703) 204-9592
Fax: (703) 204-9590

Adoption Service Information Agency, Inc. (ASIA)
1305 North Jackson Street
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 312-0263
Toll-Free: (888) 904-2229

Adoption Services, Inc.
6009 Fox Run
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (717) 737-3960
Fax: (717) 731-0157
Toll-Free: (800) 943-0400

Adoption with Love (JFS)
6718 Patterson Avenue
Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: (804) 282-5644
Fax: (804) 285-0006
Toll-Free: (877) 711-2983

Adoptions From The Heart
Greenbrier Tower, Suite 401
870 Greenbrier Circle
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: (757) 361-0008
Fax: (757) 361-9222
Toll-Free: (800) 355-5500

Barker Foundation
2955 Monticello Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: (703) 536-1827
Fax: (301) 229-0074
Toll-Free: (800) 673-8489

Bethany Christian Services, Inc.
10378-B Democracy Lane
Fairfax, VA 220302522
Phone: (703) 385-5440
Fax: (703) 385-5443

Bethany Christian Services, Inc.
910 Littlepage Street
Suite A
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 373-5165
Fax: (540) 373-4800

Bethany Christian Services, Inc.
1924 Arlington Boulevard
Suite 101
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 979-9631
Fax: (804) 979-3061

Bethany Christian Services, Inc.
287 Independence Boulevard
Suite 241
Virginia Beach, VA 23462-2956
Phone: (757) 499-9367
Fax: (757) 518-8356

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, Inc.
5294 Lyngate Court
Burke, VA 22015
Phone: (703) 425-0100

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, Inc.
305 Hanson Avenue
Suite 180
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 371-1124
Fax: (540) 371-9038

Children's Home Society of Virginia, Inc.
4200 Fitzhugh Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 353-0191
Toll-Free: (800) 247-2888

Children's Home Society of Virginia, Inc.
1620 Fifth Street SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone: (540) 344-9281
Fax: (540) 342-3253

Children's Home Society of Virginia, Inc.
2400 Fall Hill Avenue
Suite 238
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 899-3441

Children's Services of Virginia, Inc.
311 Airport Road
Winchester, VA 22602
Phone: (540) 667-0116
Fax: (540) 660-0174

Children's Services of Virginia, Inc.
7547 Presidential Lane
Manassas, VA 22110
Phone: (703) 331-0075
Fax: (703) 331-0078

Children's Services of Virginia, Inc.
12584 Darby Brooke Court
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 492-0463

Commonwealth Catholic Charities
203 Twinridge Lane
Richmond, VA 23235
Phone: (804) 272-2235
Fax: (804) 272-6355

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Inc.
1512 Willow Lawn Drive
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 272-2235
Fax: (804) 272-6355

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Inc.
820 Campbell Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone: (540) 344-5107
Fax: (540) 344-2748
Toll-Free: (800) 296-2367

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Inc.
820 Campbell Avenue, S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone: (540) 344-5107

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Inc.
1024 Park Avenue NW
PO Box 826
Norton, VA 24273
Phone: (276) 679-1195
Fax: (276) 679-2719

Coordinators2inc
1617 Monument Avenue
Suite 301
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (804) 354-1881
Fax: (804) 355-1001
Toll-Free: (800) 690-4206

DePaul Family Services, Inc.
5650 Hollins Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
Phone: (540) 265-8923

DePaul Family Services, Inc.
2316 Atherholt Road
Suite 107
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone: (434) 528-0184

DePaul Family Services, Inc.
440 Premier Circle
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: (434) 977-9847

DePaul Family Services, Inc.
177 Riverview Drive
Danville, VA 24541
Phone: (434) 793-5358

DePaul Family Services, Inc.
106 Abingdon Place
Abingdon, VA 24211
Phone: (276) 623-0881

DePaul Family Services, Inc.
80 College Street
Suite F
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: (540) 381-1848

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If you are looking for a child adoption agency simply click the link below for the state to see a list of the adoption agencies in that state.

Why You Need an Adoption Consultant

There are many risks when you go to adopt a child including losing a child after you have already taken them home (referred to as a disruption), loosing all of the money you have invested in the adoption if the birth mother changes her mind, or finding that there are previously unknown or undisclosed fees that may appear. Dr Berger has helped thousands of  adopting families with domestic adoptions and international adoptions and he is available to assist you no matter what type of adoption you chose to pursue and regardless of whether you work with an adoption agency, facilitator or adoption attorney.  He can help you save your  time, effort and money in helping you to decide what routes to take and the best way to achieve your goal of adopting a child. He can help reduce your risks and potential pain and can help you avoid many of the problems and pitfalls found in the adoption process. You can read and download his free adoption manual or, for more information on how he can help you, please visit his Adoption Consultant link or contact him by phone (1-800-943-0400) or email.

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