Search and Reunion
The Children's Home Society of Virginia (CHSVA) recognizes the importance of birth family information to adoptees and, therefore, is pleased to assist you with the information and service you may be interested in receiving regarding your birth family. Below, please find a detailed explanation of each of the services we can provide to our adult adoptees.
Heritage Summary
CHSVA can prepare heritage summaries for adoptees who were placed by the agency. A heritage summary is a summary of the adoption record containing medical and background information about an adoptee’s birth family. A heritage summary does not contain copies of documents from the adoption record and it will not include identifying information about the birth family. Although the information in case heritage summary is unique, in most instances it will include information about the birth parents’ ages, physical appearance, religious beliefs, race, culture and/or ethnic backgrounds, education and employment histories, and hobbies or interests. It may also include information about birth parents’ extended family members, a description of the relationship between birth parents, and the circumstances surrounding the adoption. A fee is charged for preparing a heritage summary. The fee covers the cost of retrieving the adoption record from our storage facility and the professional time involved in preparing the report. Please call CHSVA (contact information is below) regarding the cost of the fee and to ask for a request form.
Redacted Adoption Records
CHSVA can provide its adoptees with a redacted copy of their adoption record. The process of redacting the adoption records involves a staff member of the Society reviewing the entire adoption file and removing all identifying information about the birth family. Once all identifying information is removed, a copy of the information remaining in the adoption file will be provided to the adoptee. Counseling records of the birth mother are not part of the adoption record and, therefore, will not be part of the redacted records provided to you. The process of redacting adoption records can be difficult and protracted. Accordingly, the Society charges by the hour for redacting adoption records. Please call for information regarding these charges.
Searching for Birth Parents
Virginia law requires the adult adoptee to be eighteen years of age or older to initiate a search for his or her birth parents. To initiate a search, the adoptee must contact the Adoption Unit of the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS). The DSS will send an Application for Disclosure or it may be obtained on the web at www.dss.state.va.us. The completed application must be returned it to:
Adoption Unit, Virginia Department of Social Services
7 North 8th Street,
4th floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone (804) 726-7523 or 7526
After receiving the Application for Disclosure, the DSS will send CHSVA a Letter of Appointment directing us to search for the birth family. We cannot guarantee that the birth family will be found. If communication with members of the birth family is established, the social worker will act as an intermediary and assist in negotiating and facilitating a reunion. If the birth parents are not found or are not willing to establish contact with the adoptee, the social worker will inform the adoptee. A one-time fee payable in advance to Children's Home Society of Virginia is charged for these search services, regardless of whether the birth family is found. (The Code of Virginia that deals with disclosure of identity of birth family is Chapter 10.2 Section 63.2-1246) For information regarding this fee, please contact Rita Quam (quamr@chsva.org) by e-mail or phone at 540-344-9281 or 1-800-625-2445.
The Rights of Birth Parents
Birth parents may call CHSVA and update their record with their current name, address, and phone number. They may also send letters written to the adoptee to CHSVA to be included in their child’s adoption record. If a birth parent is interested in exchanging non-identified information with their child, the birth parent must contact the agency and have a social worker act as an intermediary. The social worker will then contact the adoptive parents to notify them of the information and ask permission to forward this information to the adoptee.
Counseling Services
The CHSVA professional staff understands the uncertainties our clients feel about search and reunion. We are committed to excellent service and can help you throughout this important process.In order to assist you through this time, CHSVA offers counseling services with our trained social workers. An initial half-hour counseling session is offered at no charge to you. After this initial session, counseling is offered at a fee charged per hour. Please call for more information regarding this fee.
Resources
If you are considering a search, consider preparing by reading relevant literature. Tapestry Books is an online adoption bookstore that has several resources that might be of interest. Their website is www.tapestrybooks.com.
CHSVA Contact Information
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rita Quam (quamr@chsva.org) by e-mail or phone at 540-344-9281 or 1-800-625-2445.