This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about adoption in Pennsylvania.Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Adoption
Adoption Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2026)
Adoption
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on the intercountry adoption process, where U.S. Citizens adopt children from overseas. Adopting a child from another country can be a complicated journey, and the information on this site is designed to help you as you move forward.
Be an Adoptive Parent
General information from the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network to help you understand the steps involved in adopting a child and how to prepare the child and family for the adoption.
Bringing Your Internationally Adopted Child to the United States
This information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains three different ways for a child to immigrate to the United States based on adoption. Which path your adopted child follows will depend on their individual circumstances.
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
Intercountry Adoptions
Intercountry adoption is the process by which you adopt a child from a country other than your own through permanent legal means and then bring that child to your country of residence to live with you permanently. This provides an overview of resources, materials and immigration benefits available to prospective adoptive parents of foreign-born orphans from the U.S. Department of State.
5 Things You Should Know About Adoption
Five facts you should know about adoption from Adopt PA Kids to help you decide if adoption is right for you.
Adoption and Fostering Forms
Forms and general information from the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network about the adoption and fostering processes, post adoption information and available forms.
Adoption
Adoption Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2026)
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
Adoption
Information on adoption from the Erie County Bar Association. Adoption is the legal creation of a parent-child relationship. Adoption usually occurs with minors; however, Pennsylvania law places no restrictions on the age of the person to be adopted. An adoption may be facilitated by an adoption agency or can be arranged privately. (June 2023)
Same Sex Relationships
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on legal rights and options for individuals engaged in a same sex relationship in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania now allows for marriage between persons of the same gender and same sex couples are permitted to adopt children in Pennsylvania. In addition, without marriage, same sex couples can also provide for each other, and define their rights and responsibilities to each other. (2023)
Adoption
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on the intercountry adoption process, where U.S. Citizens adopt children from overseas. Adopting a child from another country can be a complicated journey, and the information on this site is designed to help you as you move forward.
Adoption and Fostering - Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption & Permanency Network
The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) is both a broad-based cooperative effort and a centralized information and facilitation service funded and overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. SWAN includes county children and youth agencies, juvenile court judges, foster and adoptive parents, private adoption agencies, the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange and many others, all working together on behalf of children who need permanent homes.
Adoption Information
Resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Child Welfare Information Gateway on all aspects of domestic and intercountry adoption, including adoption from foster care. Includes information for prospective and adoptive parents; information about searching for birth relatives; and resources for professionals on recruiting adoptive families, preparing children and youth, supporting birth parents, and providing postadoption services.
Adoption Search and Reunion
This webpage from the Child Welfare Information Gateway provides information for adoptees and their birth parents and relatives who were separated by adoption and who decide to search for each other at some point during their lives. Information and resources provided include searching for birth relatives; reuniting with birth relatives; obtaining birth and adoption records; and relevant laws and policies.
Be an Adoptive Parent
General information from the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network to help you understand the steps involved in adopting a child and how to prepare the child and family for the adoption.
Bringing Your Internationally Adopted Child to the United States
This information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains three different ways for a child to immigrate to the United States based on adoption. Which path your adopted child follows will depend on their individual circumstances.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway is your connection to trusted resources on the child welfare continuum. It provide publications, research, and learning tools selected by experts to support thriving children, youth, families, and communities.
Intercountry Adoptions
Intercountry adoption is the process by which you adopt a child from a country other than your own through permanent legal means and then bring that child to your country of residence to live with you permanently. This provides an overview of resources, materials and immigration benefits available to prospective adoptive parents of foreign-born orphans from the U.S. Department of State.
National Foster Care & Adoption Directory Search
The National Foster Care & Adoption Directory (formerly the National Adoption Directory) offers contact information for State child welfare officials, programs, agencies, organizations, support groups, and services with a focus on permanency, foster care, and adoption.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry
The Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry is a medical and social history database maintained by the Department of Human Services for adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth relatives who would like to share or obtain medical or social history about themselves or their birth relatives.
State, Territory, and Tribal Resources - Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child welfare information and laws vary from State to State. This directory provides contact information for foster care and adoption agencies, support groups, training associations, youth organizations, State offices, and State-sponsored information lines. Links to websites and agency-specific details are also provided, if available.
Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN)
The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) is a partnership among the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange, public and private adoption agencies, organizations, advocates, judges, the legal community, and foster and adoptive parents. The network is administered by DHS through a prime contractor. As the mission statement reflects, the purpose is to build a better collaborative adoption process in Pennsylvania.
5 Things You Should Know About Adoption
Five facts you should know about adoption from Adopt PA Kids to help you decide if adoption is right for you.
Philadelphia County: Court Forms
Forms from the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Forms are available for the various divisions of the Court by clicking through the listings on the page.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.