What are Pennsylvania's adoption laws?

Pennsylvania adoption is governed by Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 23, Part III. Here are the key provisions:

Residency: 6 months (23 Pa.C.S. § 2711)

Court: Orphans' Court

Child Consent: Age 12+ (23 Pa.C.S. § 2711)

Abandonment: 6 months no contact (23 Pa.C.S. § 2511)

Termination: Can be included in adoption proceeding

Home Study: Typically waived for stepparents (23 Pa.C.S. § 2530)

Timeline: Minor: 3-6 months | Adult: 4-8 weeks

Pennsylvania has 67 counties, each with its own Orphans' Court. Our documents are customized for your specific countie's requirements.

We've helped 1,250+ families in Pennsylvania navigate these laws successfully.