What are West Virginia's adoption laws?

West Virginia adoption is governed by West Virginia Code Chapter 48, Article 22. Here are the key provisions:

Residency: 0 months (W. Va. Code § 48-22-201)

Court: Circuit Court

Child Consent: Age 12+ (W. Va. Code § 48-22-301)

Abandonment: 6 months no contact (W. Va. Code § 48-22-306)

Termination: Can be included in adoption proceeding

Home Study: Typically waived for stepparents (W. Va. Code § 48-22-501)

Timeline: Minor: 3-6 months | Adult: 4-8 weeks

West Virginia has 55 counties, each with its own Circuit Court. Our documents are customized for your specific countie's requirements.

We've helped 252+ families in West Virginia navigate these laws successfully.