Pennsylvania

Who may adopt?
Any individual.

Consent for adoption to be executed?
Consent may not be executed until at least 72 hours after the child's birth.
A putative father may execute consent at any time after receiving notice of the expected or actual birth of the child.

Revocation of consent?
The birth or putative father's consent is irrevocable unless revoked within 30 days after the child’s birth or the execution of consent, whichever occurs later.
The birth mother's consent is irrevocable 30 days after execution.
A person may challenge the validity of a consent only by filing a petition alleging fraud or duress, within the earlier of:

60 days after the birth of the child or the execution of consent, whichever is later.
30 days after entry of the adoption decree.

Who may place a child for adoption?
The child's parent(s).
A child-placing agency.

Advertising?
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Facilitators?
An ''intermediary'' is a person or agency acting between the parent or parents and proposed adoptive parent or parents in arranging an adoptive placement. No intermediary shall place a child with a prospective adoptive parent unless there is a favorable home study that has been completed within 3 years and supplemented within 1 year.
If the home study has not been completed, the child may be placed with the prospective adoptive parent if the intermediary has no reason to believe that the parent would not receive a favorable recommendation, the agency conducting the home study assents to the interim placement, and the intermediary notifies the court.
Within 6 months of filing the report of intention to adopt, the intermediary shall make a written report, to include:

Family background information about the child Name and address of the intermediary
An itemized accounting of moneys and considerations paid or to be received by the intermediary or any other person

Only the following payments to an intermediary are permitted:

To reimburse medical and hospital expenses of the birth mother for prenatal care and hospital expenses of mother and child incident to the birth
Medical, hospital, and foster care expenses of the child prior to adoption
Reasonable expenses for counseling and training services provided to the adoptive parents, or for home studies or investigations
Reasonable administrative expenses incurred by the agency, including overhead costs and attorney fees

Putative Father's Registry?
No. At least 10 days notice of a termination proceeding shall be given to the putative father if he has filed a claim of paternity prior to the institution of proceedings.
If the mother's consent is not given, the putative father is entitled only to notice of termination proceedings.

Expenses?
Birth parent –
Medical and hospital costs.
Foster care expenses.
Adjustment counseling.
Training services.

Department/Agency –
Reasonable expenses for home studies or investigations.
Overhead costs.
Attorney's fees.

Information provided in part by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter

Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton