Adult Adoption Search
Catholic Charities employs designated authorized search representatives pursuant to Pennsylvania Act 101 of 2010 (Open Adoption & Search Law). In April 2010, Act 101, an amendment to the Adoption Act was passed. This legislature changed who would be permitted to conduct searches. Prior to this act passing, only adoptees could search when they were 18 years of age or if their adoptive parents signed to conduct a search for medical purposes. Now, birth relatives to include, but not limited to, birth parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins are permitted to search. Adoptees and birth relatives are encouraged to register with the Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry (PAIR).
Birth parents or birth relatives may search for an adoptee if the adoptee is at least 21 years of age. Signed authorization to release information will be required by the birth parent to conduct any search. Searches by birth family may be conducted without release if the birth parent is deceased or incapacitated.
Adoptees (over the age of 18) or adoptive parents of a minor who were adopted through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg may legally search for information about their birth parents. You may be seeking non-identifying information, but the search can also lead to a request to locate and meet the birth parents.
Procedures are handled carefully to ensure the confidentiality of all involved, and counseling is made available to all interested parties.
Begin the Process
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The client must make a request in writing to the coordinator of adoption/foster care or by mail to Catholic Charities, Att: Coordinator of Adoption/Foster Care, 711 E. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601.
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Include his or her adopted name, date of birth, and name(s) of the adoptive parents.
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A non-identifying or identifying search may be conducted for adoptees under the age of 18 but must be initiated by adoptive parents.
For more information, call 724-837-1840.
