Are You Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption in Virginia? Let’s Talk.

The Complete Guide to Giving a Baby Up for Adoption in Virginia: What Every Expectant Mother Should Know

“I was scared. Then my counselor said, ‘This isn't an ending — it's a loving beginning.’”

- Stacey, a Fredericksburg birth mom

What every expectant mother should know:

• Free 24/7 support with Virginia-licensed birth mother coordinators
• Financial assistance for housing, medical care, and more
• You choose the family — change your mind at any time

Why Virginia birth mothers trust this process:

• 1,200+ placements since 1998
• Nonjudgmental guidance from our compassionate, all-female coordinator team
• Lifetime support — even years after placement

What Virginia Law Means for You as a Birth Mother

If you're considering giving your baby up for adoption in Virginia, it's important to understand the legal protections and timelines designed to support you. Virginia law ensures that your decision is made with care, time, and full awareness of your rights.

In Virginia, you cannot legally sign adoption consent forms until at least 72 hours after your baby is born. Once consent is signed, you have up to seven days to revoke it for any reason. This revocation must be in writing and filed with the appropriate court.

If the seventh day falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day. After this period, your consent becomes final unless it was obtained through fraud or duress.

If you're married, your spouse is considered the legal father and will typically need to give consent. If you're not married, the biological father can consent either before or after the birth.

Virginia also operates a Putative Father Registry. An unmarried father must register within ten days of the child's birth if he wants to preserve his parental rights. If he doesn't register or take legal steps in time, the court can proceed with terminating his rights without further notice.

No matter your situation, you don't have to go through this alone. We work closely with adoption professionals and legal experts throughout Virginia to ensure your rights are protected, your voice is heard, and your adoption plan is built with care, compassion, and respect.

Financial Support Available to Virginia Birth Mothers

If you're pregnant and thinking about adoption in Virginia, it’s completely normal to worry about finances. Virginia law allows adoptive families to financially cover a wide range of pregnancy-related expenses, helping you stay healthy, secure, and supported while you consider this decision.

Housing Assistance

Whether you’re staying in your current home or need safe temporary housing in Virginia during your pregnancy, we can help arrange support, including:

• Rent assistance for your current apartment or house
• Temporary housing in a fully furnished apartment
• Utilities coverage (electricity, water, gas, internet)
• Emergency housing when needed

Medical Coverage

All medical care related to your pregnancy can be covered by the adoptive family, including:

• Prenatal care and regular check-ups
• Specialized care for high-risk pregnancies
• Hospital delivery costs
• Postpartum care and follow-up appointments
• Mental health services

If you don’t have insurance, we can help you apply for Medicaid or FAMIS MOMS (part of Virginia’s CHIP — Children’s Health Insurance Program). FAMIS MOMS provides pregnant women with maternity healthcare coverage. FAMIS MOMS also includes prenatal and postpartum care, along with services like mental health treatment and dental care.

Qualification for Medicaid and FAMIS MOMS is based on income, bringing healthcare coverage to those who otherwise couldn’t afford it. Our Angel Adoption team can help you apply for those programs as well.

Daily Living Expenses

You may also be eligible to receive assistance with everyday costs like:

• Grocery and meal assistance
• Maternity clothing and personal care needs
• Phone bill coverage to stay connected
• Transportation for medical appointments and daily needs
• Childcare assistance (if you have other children)

All financial support is provided legally and ethically in accordance with Virginia adoption laws. You'll never be asked to repay any assistance, even if you ultimately decide not to proceed with an adoption plan.

Cultural Sensitivity in Your Adoption Journey

Virginia is home to a rich diversity of cultures, traditions, and values. At Angel Adoption, we believe your background, language, and beliefs should be honored with every chapter of your adoption plan. Whether you live in Richmond, Fairfax, Alexandria, or anywhere else in our beautiful state, we’re here to offer support that feels personal and respectful.

Hispanic/Latino Support

If you speak Spanish or come from a Hispanic or Latino background, we offer bilingual support and culturally aware guidance. Our team understands how important family, tradition, and faith may be in your decision-making process. We can provide Spanish-language materials and, if you’d like, connect you with adoptive families who share similar values and heritage.

Faith-Based Support

Faith plays a central role in the lives of many Virginians. Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or follow another spiritual tradition, your beliefs deserve to be reflected in your adoption plan. We’ll help you incorporate your faith into your adoption journey and, if desired, match you with adoptive families who share or respect your religious values.

Military Families

With military bases like Naval Station Norfolk, Quantico, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia is home to many service members and military families. If you or the baby’s father is in the military, we’ll help you navigate TRICARE and coordinate with military family services. Our team can build a flexible adoption plan that accommodates deployments, relocation, or other service-related challenges.

Educational and Career Support During and After Pregnancy

Choosing adoption doesn’t mean giving up on your goals. At Angel Adoption, we’re committed to helping you keep moving forward. Whether that means staying in school, preparing for work, or laying a stronger foundation for your future, we are on your team.

Education Assistance

Whether you’re working toward a diploma, thinking about college, or interested in hands-on training, we’ll help you build a path that works for you.

We offer birth moms in Virginia:

• Help in arranging flexible high school schedules or alternative education options
• Help preparing for the GED exam, including assistance with test fees
• Support applying to Virginia colleges and community colleges, including help with scholarship applications and financial aid forms
• Access to local trade schools, job training centers, and workforce development programs
• Help covering textbooks, school supplies, and tech essentials like laptops or Wi-Fi/data access

Career Development

When you’re ready to enter or return to the workforce, we’re here to help you take that next jump with confidence.

Our Virginia birth mom support includes:

• Flexible scheduling and advice for balancing work, parenting, and recovery
• Job search support tailored to your experience and location
• Resume writing, mock interviews, and guidance for presenting yourself professionally
• A clothing allowance for job interviews or your first week of work
• Career coaching to help you explore long-term opportunities and plan your next chapter

Many birth mothers tell us that the educational support they received helped them create positive momentum in their lives after placement. We've seen women graduate from college, start businesses, and build rewarding careers with the right support and encouragement.

Emotional Well-Being Throughout Your Journey

Making the decision to give your baby up for adoption in Virginia is intensely emotional. At Angel Adoption, we provide caring, ongoing support for your mental and emotional health during the adoption process and after placement. No matter where you are, you’ll have access to compassionate, personalized care.

Professional Counseling

You can meet one-on-one with Virginia counselors who understand what you’re going through. These sessions offer a safe space to talk about what you’re feeling, whether it’s grief, relief, love, fear, or a mix of everything.

There’s no time limit on this support: Counseling is available for as long as you need it, even long after placement. You’ll also have access to 24/7 crisis support for moments that feel overwhelming. If your story involves trauma, we offer trauma-informed care focused on emotional safety and healing.

Peer Support

Connecting with others who understand your experience can be incredibly healing. We offer peer support through:

• Local birth mother groups in cities and towns across Virginia
• Virtual support options for women in rural areas or who prefer virtual support
• Birth mother connections and community events
• One-on-one mentoring with other women who have chosen adoption

Milestone Support

Certain dates (your child’s birthday, the placement anniversary, or holidays) can stir up strong emotions. We provide milestone support to help you move through those moments with care and strength.

Whether it’s writing a letter, creating a keepsake, or simply having someone to talk to, we’re here to honor your experience and help you greet each day and moment as it comes.

Open Adoption in Virginia

In Virginia, open adoptions give birth mothers the opportunity to maintain a meaningful connection with their child after placement. This approach fosters relationships built on trust, respect, and mutual agreement between birth and adoptive families.

Communication Options

Open adoption in Virginia can look different for every family and birth mother, depending on their mutual preferences:

• Letters and Photos: Regular updates are shared through our agency.
• Email and Digital Communication: Exchange of messages and digital photo albums.
• Phone or Video Calls: Scheduled conversations with the adoptive family.
• In-Person Visits: Meetings are arranged when all parties feel ready.
• Social Media Connections: Private interactions with agreed-upon boundaries.

Supporting Your Connection Over Time

Open adoption in Virginia is a dynamic relationship that may evolve over time. To support this, we assist in:

• Preparing for Initial Meetings: Guiding you through the first conversations with the adoptive family.
• Setting Clear Expectations: Helping establish mutual boundaries and communication plans.
• Ongoing Support: Providing resources if challenges arise in the relationship.
• Adapting to Changes: Assisting birth and adoptive families through life transitions that may affect the adoption agreement.

At Angel Adoption, we are committed to supporting you in creating an open adoption plan that reflects your wishes and provides a foundation for a lasting, positive relationship with your child and the adoptive family.

Special Circumstances Support

Every pregnancy comes with its own story, and some involve added challenges that require extra compassion and care. At Angel Adoption, we’re here to meet you where you are. Whether you’re navigating substance use, teen pregnancy, or trauma, we provide personalized, nonjudgmental support to help you move forward with safety, strength, and dignity.

Adoption When Facing Substance Use Challenges

If you’ve used drugs or alcohol during your pregnancy, please know that you can still choose adoption. We understand that healing takes time, and we’re here to support you through the entire process.

We can connect you with prenatal recovery programs and maternal health services throughout Virginia. We also work with adoptive families who are fully prepared to welcome substance-exposed newborns and ensure they receive the care they may need.

Our support doesn’t end after placement. We’ll continue helping you access mental health care, recovery programs, and support networks that allow you to move forward at your own pace.

Teen Pregnancy and Adoption

If you’re under 18, you have the legal right to give your baby up for adoption in Virginia. In most cases, you won’t need your parents’ permission to move forward, although the court may request that they be notified, depending on your circumstances.

Everything you share with us remains fully confidential (except in cases where mandatory reporting laws about abuse require us to act). We’ll help you stay enrolled in school, access age-appropriate counseling, and develop a plan that reflects your maturity, your voice, and your values. If and when you’re ready to involve your parents, caregivers, or another trusted adult in your life, we’ll help guide that conversation with compassion and care.

Adoption After Sexual Assault

If your pregnancy is the result of sexual assault, please know you are not alone, and this decision is entirely yours. We provide a safe, private space where your story is respected, and your emotional well-being comes first.

Our trauma-informed counselors are here to support you with patience, understanding, and zero pressure. If needed, we can connect you with Virginia-based legal professionals, rape crisis centers, and advocacy organizations like The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance to help you access urgent care, legal assistance, and ongoing counseling.

You are always in control of the pace and direction of your adoption plan. We’ll walk beside you, never ahead of you, every step of the way.

Community Resources Across Virginia

At Angel Adoption, we understand that support during pregnancy doesn’t end with an adoption plan. Whether you live in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Charlottesville, or call anywhere else in Virginia home, we can help you access local resources to support your stability, safety, and peace of mind.

When you need help beyond what we provide directly, we’ll connect you with real, accessible Virginia-based programs like:

• Food assistance and emergency aid programs, including regional Virginia Community Action Agencies, local food banks, and utility assistance programs
• Domestic violence and crisis shelters, including services provided by the Action Alliance network and local family violence prevention organizations
• Affordable medical care, through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and local health clinics, offering prenatal and general care on a sliding-fee scale, regardless of insurance
• Job readiness and training programs, such as those offered through Virginia Career Works, can help you build skills, find stable employment, and pursue financial independence
• Education support, including GED and alternative high school programs, trade schools, and colleges with pregnancy-friendly academic policies

When you reach out to Angel Adoption, you're connecting with people who care about your future, not just your adoption plan. Whether you’re focused on your baby or your long-term goals, we’ll be here to support you no matter what.

Giving a baby up for adoption in Virginia is a deeply personal decision. You deserve the freedom to make it with confidence, care, and support that lasts long after placement. Whatever you choose, you won’t have to do it alone.