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Pennsylvania |
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Pennsylvania |
In Pennsylvania, an adult adoptee (age 18), or adoptive parents of adoptees under 18 may petition the court for release of identifying information concerning birth parent(s). The court must appoint either a county agency or a private adoption agency to attempt to locate and contact the birth parent(s). The court may deny the request to search for the birth parent(s) if it believes that there is a substantial risk that persons other than the birth parent(s) would learn of the adoptee's existence and relationship to the birth parent(s).
An adoptee or his or her adoptive parent may also make a direct request to an adoption agency to search for the birth parent(s). Identifying information concerning the birth parent(s) may only be released if both birth parents consent. If only one birth parent consents to the release of the information, only information about that birth parent may be disclosed.
Birth parents may file with the court or the Department of Health a consent form granting permission to disclose to the adoptee the information contained in the adoptee's original birth certificate. Such information may not be released without such a consent and only to an adoptee 18 years of age or older (with adoptive parent permission, if under 18).
23 Pa. Cons. Stat. 2905.
Search and Support Groups
Adoption Lifeline of Altoona
Pittsburgh Adoption Connection
Pittsburgh Adoption Connection
Birthparents for Life
Lost Loved Ones
Pennsylvania Adoptee Search Team
Pittsburgh Adoption Lifeline
Harrisburg Adoption Connection
Searching
Origins
Adoptee/Birth Parent Centre
Lansdale Adoption Connection
Harrisburg Adoption Forum
Adoption Forum of Delaware County
Adoption Search
Adoption Forum & PACFOA
Catholics for Open Records
ALMA Chapter
Adoption Forum HQ
Adoption Healing
Adoption Healing
Pittsburgh Adoption Connection
Pittsburgh Adoption Connection
NW PA Adoption Connection
Adoption Forum (Harrisburg)
