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.
The biggest single risk to the legal security of an adoption is if a birth mother commits fraud by not identifying the birth father. If she does, it may be possible for the birth father to later attack the adoption.
It is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved if adoptive parents have to give up a child whom they have come to love. For this reason, it is essential for a competent adoption professional to sensitively counsel the birth mother as soon as possible.
The Irving Law Firm
9253 Mosby St., 2nd Floor
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 844-4118
