Adoption is the legal process in which a person assumes responsibility for the health, safety, well-being, and financial support of another person—usually a child—and terminates the rights and responsibilities of the adopted person’s biological parent or parents.
In West Virginia, adoption is governed by state statutes that outline the legal process by which an individual or couple can become the legal parents of a child, thereby assuming all responsibilities for the child's welfare. This process terminates the legal rights and responsibilities of the child's biological parents. West Virginia Code Chapter 48 outlines the specific procedures and requirements for adoption, including home studies, consent provisions, and the finalization of adoption in court. The state requires that prospective adoptive parents meet certain eligibility criteria and that the adoption serves the best interests of the child. The process can involve private, agency, or international adoptions, and may also include the adoption of stepchildren or adults. The court's primary consideration in any adoption case is the welfare and best interests of the child involved.