West Virginia's Adoption Laws
West Virginia
Statute: § 49-6A-5
Records Confidential: Yes
Persons with access to records
Not addressed in statutes reviewed.
Persons without access to records
CPS/State Agencies
Agencies From Other States
Courts/Judges
Grand Juries
Law Enforcement
Attorneys General/Prosecutors
Attorneys, GAL's
Physicians
Reporters of Abuse
Researchers
Employers
Parents/Guardians
Coroners
Review Teams
Treatment Providers
Subject of Reports
Public/Any Person
Other Not addressed in statutes
reviewed.
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. If you would like to contact the NAIC, you can email them at naic@caliber.com.
The consent may be signed 72 hours following the birth. Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of West Virginia. Revocation Time Frame in West VirginiaThe consent is irrevocable upon signing.
West Virginia
Who May Adopt
Statute: § 48-22-201
Any person
A stepparent
A husband
and wife jointly
Any married
person with consent of spouse
Who May Be Adopted
Statute: §§ 48-22-201; 48-22-801
Any minor
child
Any person
age 18 or older by a West Virginia resident
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Statute: § 49-3-1
The child
welfare agency
The
department
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. If you would like to contact the NAIC, you can email them at naic@caliber.com.
No information currently available.
West Virginia
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: § 48-22-803(e)
-
Reasonable and customary legal,
medical, hospital, or other expenses incurred in connection with the pregnancy,
birth, and adoption proceedings
-
Any other fees authorized by
law or approved by the court
Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: § 48-22-803(e)
Any fees not authorized by law or approved by the court
Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 48-22-803
It is unlawful for any person or entity to offer, give, or
agree to give payments for providing or procuring a child for the purpose of
adoption.
Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 48-22-803
It is unlawful for any person to accept payment for
providing a child for the purpose of adoption.
Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: §
48-22-803(e)
The department or an authorized child-placing agency may charge
fees for reasonable and customary services.
Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: §
48-22-803(f)
At the final hearing, an affidavit of any fees and expenses paid
or promised to be paid shall be submitted to the court.
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. If you would like to contact the NAIC, you can email them at naic@caliber.com.
No information currently available.
West Virginia
Agency or Person Gathering Information
or Preparing Report Statute: § 48-22-701 Any
person or agency approved by the court
Contents of Report About Person to be
Adopted Statute: § 48-22-701
- Medical history
- Description of the adjustment of the adopted
person
Contents of Report About Birth Parents
Statute: § 48-23-601
- Non-identifying written health history
- Genetic and social history of birth parents and
family
Contents of Report About Adoptive
Parents Statute: § 48-22-701
- Suitability
- Description of family members
- Medical and employment histories
- Physical description of home and surroundings
- Personal references
- Other information deemed necessary by the court
- Criminal background check
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. If you would like to contact the NAIC, you can email them at naic@caliber.com.
If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.
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