CHAPTER 256

AN ACT to amend the Code of 1950 by adding anew section num-
bered 68-848.1, so as to provide under certain conditions for
the adoption of adult persons.

[ H 417 ]

Approved April 3, 1950

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of 1950 be amended by adding a new sec-
tion numbered 63-348.1, as follows:

§ 63-348.1. Adoption of adults.—A petition may be filed
by any natural person, resident of this State, for the adoption
of a stepchild twenty-one years of age or over to whom he has
stood in loco parentis for a period of at least one year. Proceed-
ings in any such case shall conform as near as may be to pro-
ceedings for the adoption of a minor child under this chapter
except that:

(1) No consent of either parent shall be required;

(2) The consent of the person to be adopted shall be required
in all cases;

(3) The investigations and visitations provided for in
§§ 63-349 and 63-354 shall not be made unless the court in its
discretion so requires.

Any interlocutory or final order issued in any case under
this section shall have the same effect as other orders issued
under this chapter; and in any such case the word “child” in
any other section of this chapter shall be construed to refer to
the person whose adoption is petitioned for under this section.