Pennsylvania Adoption Laws

Adoption Laws in Pennsylvania

Adoption Records Access

• Non-Identifying Information : An adopted adult of age 18 or older may obtain non identifying information. A petition is required for minor adoptive parents to obtain the non identifying information.

• Identifying Information : An adopted adult of age 18 or older may obtain identifying information.
  A petition is required for minor adoptive parents to obtain the identifying information.
  The court may obtain the consent from the birth parents.

• Adoption Registry Use: The people who may use the adoption registry are listed below (which is for medical histories only):
  • Adopted adults
  • Birth parents
  • Adoptive parents of an adoptee under twenty one years of age

• Contact :
  
  Debbie Mondillo
  Diakon/FDR
  P.O. Box 4560
  471 JPL Wick Drive
  Harrisburg, PA 17111
  717-231-6426

Consents

• Consent to an adoption shall be done by:
  Statute: 23 Pa. - § 2711
  • Parents
  • An authorized child placing agency
  • Guardian or custodian

• Age Requirement for consideration of Adoptee Consent :
  Statute: 23 Pa. - § 2711
  A child of twelve years of age or older must consent to the adoption.

• When Consent is not required :
  Statute: 23 Pa. - §- § 2713; 2714; 2511
  • On termination of parental rights.
  • If adopted person's age is eighteen years or older.
  • If birth mother's husband is not the natural father.
  • If parents of child fails to keep contact for four months.

• Parental Consent can be executed :
  Statute: 23 Pa. - § 2711(c)
  • After the birth of child, minimum 72 hours gap/ period is must to start the consent execution.
  • If putative father having the notice of the expected or actual birth of child, then only he may execute consent.
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