What Happens if the Birth Father Denies Paternity?
What if the birth father is not named on the birth certificate?
In Virginia Adoption Law it is not necessary for a birth father to be named on the birth certificate to acquire parental rights. If he is the biological father, than he still has parental birth rights to the child.
What if the birth mother will not say who the birth father is?
In Virginia Adoption Law, birth fathers have full parental rights. Consequently, a birth mother has no legal right to conceal the identity of the birth father. They must either consent to the adoption in writing or be served with notice of the adoption.
If the birth father cannot be identified, can an adoption still go forward?
Sometimes a birth mother does not know the full identity of the birth father. However, it is also important to understand that a birth mother may be reluctant to identify the birth father because of various emotions, such as shame or fear, and may simply deny knowing his identity.
What Rights Does a Birthfather Have?
In Virginia, fathers and mothers have the same legal rights, and a birthfather has the same rights as a birthmother. However, these rights can greatly diminish if the birthfather has not played an active role in the child's life.
Where Should I File an Adoption Petition?
An Adoption Petition must be filed in the Circuit Court of the county or city where the Petitioners live. However, if the child was placed by an agency, the petition may be filed in the county or city where the agency is located.
What Does it Mean to Place a Child for Adoption?
