Chap. 76.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 1 of an act approved Feb-
ruary 5, 1892, entitled an act to legalize the adoption of minor children by
adult persons. |

Approved January 24, 1894.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
one of an act of the general assembly of Virginia, approved February
fifth, eighteen hundred and ninety-two, entitled an act to legalize the
adoption of minor children by adult persons, be amended and re-
enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 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, o1
the corporation court or circuit court of their proper corporation, 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
adoption by the child, if of the age of fourteen years, and by each ot
bis or her living parents, who is not hopelessly insane or habitually
intemperate, or has not abandoned such child; or if 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 dis-
creet and suitable person appointed by the court to act in the pro-
ceedings 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. This act shall be in force from its passage.