Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption - West Virginia
Date: January 2020
Who May Adopt
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 48-22-201; 48-22-301
The following persons may adopt:
- Any person who is not married
- Any person with the consent of his or her spouse
- A husband and wife jointly
In a stepparent adoption, the birth or adoptive parent of the child who is married to the petitioning adoptive parent must join as a party to the petition for adoption.
Who May Be Adopted
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 48-22-201; 48-22-801
The following persons may be adopted:
- Any minor child
- Any person age 18 or older, if the adopting parent is a West Virginia resident
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 48-22-104; 48-22-301
Only a public or private agency or the Department of Health and Human Resources is authorized to place children for adoption. The parents of the child must consent to the child's adoption.