Q. What does the agent do after the court has issued an order?
A. A copy of the court order appoints an agent is sent to the adopted person and to the agency which has been appointed. The agency will send a letter to the adopted person within a mater of a couple of weeks after receiving the court order acknowledging that it will be in further contact with the adopted person. In a subsequent letter or telephone contact, The agency will explain to the adopted person the procedures involved and the costs. The agent may ask the adoptee to prepare a biography and to verbalize the reasons motivating the search. The agent will schedule an interview in person or by telephone so as to become acquainted with the adoptee.

Q. Why does the agent need to interview the adoptee?
A. It is important for the agent to be able to describe facts about the adopted person to the birth parent with accuracy and sensitivity.

Q. Does the agency appointed by the court provide counseling?
A. Yes, the agents have all been licensed by the PA. Department of Public Welfare and the employees assigned to adoption search cases are all trained, professional counselors.

Q. Why do the agencies provide counseling?
A. The process of a search for birth parents may take a long time and can be emotional for everyone involved. The counseling dimension helps the agent get to know the adoptee and helps the adoptee prepare for the course of a search and eventual outcome.

Q. Can letters expressing a willingness to be contacted by an adoptee, by a birth parent or birth family member be placed in the court files?
A. Yes, copies of such letters will also be sent to the agency which handled the adoption.

Q. Can a birth parent or birth family member petition the court to locate the adopted person?
A. No, at this time, PA law does not authorize the court to make such an appointment of an agent to search for and contact the adoptee.

Q. What should a birth parent or birth family member do if the only concern is to make medical information available to the adopted person and there is no particular interest in making personal contact?
A. Again, letters disclosing the medical information and the names of doctors may be filed with the court records and the adoption agency, which placed the adoptee. The information will be made available to the adoptee if the adoptee ever contacts the court or the agency.

Q. What does the court do if there is a genuine medical crisis involving and adoptee or a birth family member?
A. The court will promptly review the matter presented and order the course of action it deems to be appropriate under the circumstances.

Q. Are the laws permitting adopted persons to search for the birth parents the same in each state?
A. No, each state has it's own law and procedure. There are also differences among counties within the same state in the management of requests.