{"id":377175,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-adoption-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-14T17:01:16","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T22:01:16","slug":"west-virginia-adoption-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-adoption-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"West Virginia Adoption Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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West Virginia Adoption Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

West Virginia adoption laws protect the rights of the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and the child’s best interests. Families considering adoption must go through a screening process and home study before meeting an adoptive child.<\/p>\r\n

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources<\/a> (DHHR) handles foster care and adoption. Prospective adoptive parents may work with a private adoption agency. But the West Virginia courts oversee the adoption finalization.<\/p>\r\n

West Virginia Adoption Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

West Virginia doesn’t have a minimum age for adoption<\/a>. Any adult may adopt any child whose parents have terminated their parental rights. Single people may adopt. Married couples can adopt if both spouses sign the adoption petition.<\/p>\r\n

Adoptive families must have a home study before having a child placed in the home. Families may have the study done by a private adoption agency, but DHHR must approve the agency. A home study<\/a> includes:<\/p>\r\n