March 23, 2023

Birth Parents: What you should know if you’re considering adoption in Pennsylvania

Birth Parents considering adoption in Pennsylvania should seek the advice of a knowledgeable and experienced PA adoption attorney before entering an agreement with an agency or prospective adoptive parents.

Know your rights as a Birth Parent in PA:

As a birth mother in Pennsylvania you have the right to the following:

  • Counseling to help you with your decision, at no cost to you.
  • Meet and select your child’s adoptive family
  • Have a binding legal agreement with the adoptive family that entitles you to continuing contact after your child is adopted
  • Counseling even after your rights have been terminated and the adoption is final

Changing your mind about Adoption:

It is a popular misconception that once you give consent to an adoption you cannot change your mind. This is not the case for adoptions in Pennsylvania. Birth mothers maychange their mind within thirty (30) days from the date of signing the consent; however, written notice must be given to the agency office, the attorney handing the adoption, or the Clerk of Orphans’ Court in the county of termination.

If you have signed a consent to terminate your parental rights in contemplation of an adoption but think that you want to change your mind, you should speak to an adoption attorney immediately to ensure that your rights are preserved.

Pennsylvania law protects the rights of birth mothers and birth fathers as it relates to adoption. Most importantly, the birth parents’ rights must be terminated in order to proceed with an adoption.

If you’re a birth parent in Pennsylvania and need additional information, contact our Pittsburgh adoption lawyers to speak with one of our experienced Allegheny County adoption lawyers and learn how we can help you. Telephone our PA adoption law firm at one of the following numbers:

Pittsburgh in Allegheny County PA at 412-281-9906

Canonsburg in Washington County PA at 724-436-5500

Cranberry Township in Butler County PA at 724-776-9906

Clearfield in Clearfield County PA at 814-290-0587

Toll-free at 1-844-VARI-LAW or 1-844-827-4529

Appointments may also be available in other meeting locations throughout Pennsylvania upon advance arrangements with our office. Ask the secretary scheduling your appointment for details including appointment locations.  Our adoption law firm is open Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm.