Pennsylvania's Adoption Laws
Pennsylvania
Statute: 23 PCSA §§ 6332(b);
6335(b); 6336(b)-(c); 6339; 6340
Records Confidential: Yes
Persons with access to records
CPS/State Agencies
Agencies From Other States
Courts/Judges
Law Enforcement
Attorneys General/Prosecutors
Attorneys, GAL's
Physicians
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Review Teams
Subject of Reports
Persons without access to records
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Researchers
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Coroners
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Public/Any Person
Other General
Assembly committees Federal auditors Prospective adoptive parents County
officials
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
The consent may be signed 72 hours after the birth of the child. Pre-consents are allowed in the state of Pennsylvania. Revocation Time Frame in PennsylvaniaThe consent may be revoked up to 30 days after signing.
Pennsylvania
Who May Adopt
Statute: 23 Pa. § 2312
Any individual
Who May Be Adopted
Statute: 23 Pa. § 2311
Any individual, regardless of age or
residence
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Statute: 23 Pa. §§ 2501; 2502
The child's
parent(s)
A
child-placing agency
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Pennsylvania
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: 23 Pa. § 2533(d)
-
Medical and hospital costs
-
Foster care expenses
-
Adjustment counseling
-
Training services
Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: 23 Pa. §
2533(c)
The court may
provide appropriate relief when it finds the expenses reported are excessive.
Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: 18 Pa. §
4305
It is unlawful to trade, barter, buy, sell, or deal in
infant children.
Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: 18 Pa. §
4305
It is unlawful to trade, barter, buy, sell, or deal in infant
children.
Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: 23 Pa.
§ 2533(d)
- Reasonable expenses for home studies or investigations
- Overhead costs
- Attorney's fees
Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: 23 Pa. §
2533 (b)(8)
The intermediary's written report to the court shall include an
itemized accounting of all monies paid, agreed to be paid, or received in
connection with the adoption.
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Pennsylvania
Agency or Person Gathering Information
or Preparing Report Statute: 23 Pa. §§ 2533; 2535
- Public or voluntary child care agency
- Adoption agency
- Intermediary who arranged the adoption
- Social worker
- Person designated by court
Contents of Report About Person to be
Adopted Statute: 23 Pa. §§ 2533; 2535
- Physical, mental, and emotional needs
- Age, sex, race
- Religious background
- Description and value of property owned
Contents of Report About Birth Parents
Statute: 23 Pa. § 2533
- Age, marital status when child was born and
during the year prior to birth of adopted person
- Racial and religious background
- Residence if rights have not yet been
terminated
- Medical history
Contents of Report About Adoptive
Parents Statute: 23 Pa. §§ 2530; 2535
Suitability
Age
Home environment
Family life, parenting skills
Physical and mental health
Social, cultural, and religious
background
Facilities and resources
Ability to manage resources
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.
American Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
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