Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia
Adoptee's Rights
I'm a 46 yr old adopted female. I was adopted when I was 5 yrs old, prior to that time, I was in and out of Foster homes between the ages of 2 and 5 yrs old. According to my adopted parents, my birth records were sealed at the time of my adoption, therefore, I've been told that I would have to pay attorney fees to pull my original birth records, and partition the courts to open my records. I have a twin brother and six siblings that I have not seen since we were 3 yrs old. I was born in Virginia and the adoption was handled in Virginia. My original birth certificate shows my adoptive parents' name, not my bioligical parents. I would like to search for my birth parents and my siblings, can you offer any advice or at least, start me in the right direction.
Thank-you
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Adoptee's Rights
You don't necessarily need to hire an attorney. What you need to do is to petition the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court in the VA county in which the adoption took place to break the seal of the adoption. Sometimes bio parents put in the file that they wish to have all info shared with the child and contact info. Go to the clerk's office and ask how to do this (if you can't afford an attorney). If the clerk is unhelpful and you still can't afford an attorney go to the law library at the courthouse and tell the librarian your situation. Often they will point you to the correct publications that will assist you in doing this on your own.
If that doesn't work you can also do a web search for companies that reunite adopted children with the bio parents.
Good luck to you.
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