Court Jurisdiction and Venue for Adoption Petitions - Virginia

Date: January 2022

Jurisdiction

Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1201

Proceedings for the adoption of a minor child and for a change of name of such child shall be instituted only by petition to a circuit court.

Venue

Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1201

The petition must be filed in the county or city in which one of the following applies:

  • Where the petitioner resides
  • Where the child-placing agency that placed the child is located
  • Where a birth parent executed consent