The least expensive path to adopting a child into your family is through the foster care system. No cost exists in Virginia to complete foster parent orientation, training, or the Home Study. A bonus for parents is that your foster child can live with you during the foster-to-adoption process.

virginia.gov. Go to Foster Care & Adoption/Adoption/Forms. Call the Adoption Disclosure Specialists at 804-726-7526 or 804-726-7749. Identifying information is information that can lead to the discovery of a person's identity, which may include names and contact information.

The step-parent seeking to adopt must file a petition in Circuit Court. The custodial birth parent (i.e., the wife or husband of the petitioner) must join in the petition, thereby indicating his or her consent to the adoption.

In order to adopt a child, you must be at least 18 years of age or older to be approved as an adoptive parent. Adoptive parents can be single, married, divorced or widowed but what is most important is that they have the time and energy to give a child a lifetime commitment.