Parties to An Adoption

Virginia

• Any resident

• A husband and wife jointly

• A stepparent

• A minor child

• An adult if:

o A stepchild

o A niece or nephew

o Has resided in the home for 3 months prior to majority

o For good cause shown, provided that the petitioner is at least 15 years older

• A licensed child-placing agency

• A local board of social services

• The child's parent or legal guardian

• An out-of-state agency that is licensed by that State, but any entrustment agreement must comply with Virginia law to be

valid

Schedule of Hearings
Citation: §§ 40-11-12.1; 40-11-12.2
A permanency hearing shall be held:

• Within 12 months of the child's placement in care; at least every 12 months thereafter
• Within 30 days after a finding that reasonable efforts to reunify are not required

• All parties
• The foster parents
• Any preadoptive parent or relative providing care for the child

• The appropriateness of the service plan
• What services have been offered
• Any further efforts that will promote the best interests of the child

• Return to the parent
• Adoption
• Legal guardianship
• Placement with a fit and willing relative
• Another planned permanent living arrangement

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

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