A. The adoption laws of Virginia contain a specific section pertaining to step-parent adoptions.
B. Under Virginia law, a step-parent wishing to adopt a child of his or her spouse must file a petition for adoption in circuit court seeking to adopt the child. The court may proceed to immediately finalize the adoption without referral of the matter for further investigation, if the other birth parent of the child consents in writing to the adoption or is deceased.
C. The circuit court retains the discretion to order an investigation before a final order of adoption is entered.
More information about adoption in Virginia:
