Adoption
Adoption Plans
We work with birth parents who are considering an adoption plan for their unborn child. Catholic Community Services provides adoptive home studies, legal services, supervision of placement through finalization, and adoption preparation for adoptive families.
We also work with county children and youth agencies to support children placed in the foster care system. We provide family profiles and training to families interested in providing permanency through adoption for children in Pennsylvania who enter the adoption system.
Adoptees
Effective November 3, 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Health may release a copy of an original birth certificate to adoptees born in Pennsylvania.
Individuals who were adopted must submit an Adoptee's Application for Noncertified Copy of Original Birth Record. Eligible applicants include the adopted individual and the adopted individual's lineal descendants. Adoptive parents, birth parents, and other individuals are not eligible to request the original birth record.
Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health to request a copy of an original birth certificate or for additional information.
Adoption Records
Catholic Community Services maintains adoption records from St. Joseph's Home for Children. A form with instructions, fees, and required identification will be sent upon request. Any information released is provided in accordance with current Pennsylvania regulations.
Birth parents who placed a child for adoption through this agency may contact us to provide updated medical history or other information about themselves or their family. Birth parents must submit new information in writing along with a copy of their identification.
Birth parents who wish to allow the disclosure of identifying information, including their name and contact information, may waive confidentiality by providing written permission along with a copy of their driver's license or other identification. This letter is placed in the case file and will be shared with the adoptee only if the adoptee requests it. The agency does not contact the adoptee to notify them that a letter has been placed on file.
