Adoption Program

Adoption Support:

Considering placing your child for adoption? Find out your alternatives and if appropriate, get referrals to service providers. You can also give up your parental rights to the agency by signing a legal form called an entrustment agreement.
Looking for a child to adopt? Find out if your home meets the needs of one of the children in our custody.
Are you caring for a child placed in your home by the child’s parent? We offer complete adoptive home studies for the court. Fees are charged for these home studies based on income and family size. The child can be a relative, non-relative, or a stepchild.
Are you interested in fostering, and possible adopting, a child? We offer complete dual foster/adoptive home studies.
Are you looking for information about your birth parents? We share non-identifying information from adoption records when requested by an adult who was adopted in Chesapeake, Virginia as a child or when the adult was adopted in Chesapeake, Virginia and the adoption record is sent to our agency.

Interagency Support:

Search for the birth family of an adult who was adopted in Chesapeake, Virginia as a child when requested by the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Conduct adoptive home studies on parents residing in Chesapeake, Virginia when requested by an agency from another state for a specific child in the custody of a state agency. This request must come from our Interstate office in Richmond, VA. Fees may be charged based on income, family size, and time spent.

FAQ's:

How do I become an adoptive parent?

We are not currently conducting home studies for prospective adoptive parents. If your specific interest is adoption, please contact a private adoption agency.

What are the basic requirements to become a foster/adoptive parent?

To become a foster/adoptive parent you must meet the following criteria:

21 years of age or older
Married or single (no co-habitation or living together)
Physically and mentally healthy
Sufficient income to meet your own needs
Safe, loving and stable home
Space for a child's bed and clothing in your home
Working telephone
Reliable transportation

What is required for the home study?

The home study includes the following: home visits to your home, three or more interviews, three references per adult applicant, federal, state, and local criminal checks, child abuse and neglect checks, DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) checks, TB tests on all household members, physicals on adult foster/adoptive parents within the last 12 months, financial paperwork, background paperwork, fire escape plan, disaster plan, proof of marriages and divorces, animal shot record and license, and other information.

Can I specify what age and sex of child I prefer? Can I choose if I want a sibling group? Can I state what disabilities I will accept?

Yes, you can inform your social worker during the home study process what type of child you prefer or if you will consider a sibling group. The family services specialist will find out what disabilities, if any, you will accept. The family services specialist will obtain very specific information from you.

Will I receive financial assistance for the child?

The agency will provide a monthly payment for room and board, clothing, and other expenses. An enhanced maintenance payment may be provided for a child who has special needs and requires extra supervision, support, and services by the resource parent. A yearly clothing voucher will be supplied based on the age of the child. Medicaid is provided to cover medical and dental costs.

Applications, Details & Instructions - Virginia Department of Social Services

Contact Us!

Please call us at 757-382-2000 to learn more about our programs and ask further questions.