CHAP. 170.—An ACT to legalize the adoption of minor children
by adult persons.

Approved February 5, 1892.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That an inhabitant of this state not married, or a husband
and wife jointly, may petition the county or circuit court
of their proper county for leave to adopt a minor child not
theirs by birth, and for a change of the name of such
child; but a written consent must be given to such adop-
tion by the child, if of the age of fourteen years, and by
each of his or her living parents, who is not hopelessly
ingane or habitually intemperate, or has not abandoned
such child; orif there are no such parents, or if the parents
are unknown, or have abandoned such child, or if they are
hopelessly insane or habitually intemperate, then by the
legal guardian; or if there be no such guardian, then by
a discreet and suitable person appointed by the court to
act in the proceedings as the next friend of such child;
but if such parents or guardian join in said petition it
shall be deemed such consent in writing.

2. When the foregoing provisions are complied with, if
the court is satisfied of the ability of the petitioner to
bring up and educate the child properly, having reference
to the degree and condition of the child’s parents, and the
fitness and propriety of such adoption, it shall make an
order setting forth the facts, and declaring that, from that
date, such child, to all legal intents and purposes, is the
child of the petitioner, and that its name is thereby changed.

3. The natural parents shall, by such order, be divested
of all legal rights and obligations in respect to the child,
and the child be free from all legal obligations of obedi-
ence and maintenance in respect to them; such child
shall be, to all intents and purposes, the child and heir at
law of the person so adopting him or her, entitled to all
the rights and privileges, and subject to all the obligations
of a child of such person begotten in lawful wedlock; but
on the decease of such person, and the subsequent decease
of such adopted child, without issue, the property of such
adopting parent still undisposed of, shall descend to his
or her next of kin, and not to the next of kin of such
adopted child.

4. This act shall be in force from its passage.