Pennsylvania Adoption Laws for Birth Mothers:
Your Rights, Your Choices, Your Future
This page will walk you through how adoption works in Pennsylvania, what rights you have under PA law, and what you can expect every step of the way.
Your Rights as a Birth Mother Under Pennsylvania Adoption Law
Pennsylvania has specific laws in place to protect birth mothers. These rights are yours — no one can take them away.
The 72-Hour Rule: In Pennsylvania, no birth mother can sign adoption consent papers until at least 72 hours after giving birth. This is the law. No agency, attorney, or adoptive family can ask you to sign sooner. This time is yours to rest, bond with your baby, and make sure you feel ready.
The 30-Day Revocation Period: Once you do sign your consent, Pennsylvania law gives you 30 days to change your mind. You can revoke (cancel) your consent within those 30 days by submitting your decision in writing to Heart to Heart Adoptions, your attorney, or the court. After 30 days, your consent becomes final and cannot be reversed — except in rare cases where fraud or force can be proven.
The Right to Your Own Lawyer: You have the right to have your own attorney who represents only you — not the adoptive family. Heart to Heart Adoptions can help connect you with legal support at no cost to you.
The Right to Counseling: You have the right to free counseling before and after placement. Processing your feelings is an important part of this journey, and you deserve support for as long as you need it.
Contact Agreements: Pennsylvania law allows birth mothers and adoptive families to create a Contact Agreement — a written agreement about ongoing communication after the adoption. This might include letters, photos, or even in-person visits. Heart to Heart Adoptions can help you explore what kind of open adoption arrangement feels right for you.
Choosing an Adoption Agency in Pennsylvania
- What makes Heart to Heart different?
- Will I be pressured to choose adoption?
- Where are the safe apartments to stay?
- Do you work with women in difficult situations?
- What kind of help is available for pregnant women?
- Can I get safe housing during pregnancy?
- What happens after I deliver my baby?
- How do I get emotional support?
- How do I find a safe family for my baby?
- Do I get to decide on the adoptive family?
- What expenses are covered during pregnancy?
- Will I get to see my baby after birth?
- What is open adoption in Ohio?
- What’s the difference between open and closed adoption?
- How does the Hearts Connect app work?
- Can I stay in touch with my child?
- How do I place my baby for adoption in Pennsylvania?
- How do I choose the adoptive family?
- What support will I get before and after birth?
- Can I change my mind after signing consent?
- What are my rights as a birth mother in Pennsylvania?
- When can I sign adoption papers in Pennsylvania?
- What are the birth father’s rights in Pennsylvania?
- Can I revoke my consent in Pennsylvania?
Will I Get to Choose the Family?
Yes. At Heart to Heart Adoptions, you are at the center of this process. Choosing who will raise your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make — and we believe that choice belongs to you.
We’ll give you profiles of waiting families so you can learn about their lives, their values, and their hopes for their future child. You can take as much time as you need. You don’t have to choose anyone you don’t feel good about.
Many birth mothers in Pennsylvania choose some form of open adoption, which means staying in contact with the family and receiving updates about their child as they grow. Others prefer a more private arrangement. Both are valid, and both are possible. We’ll help you find what feels right.
Is Adoption Free for Birth Mothers in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Adoption should never cost you anything. In Pennsylvania, adoptive families — not birth mothers — are responsible for adoption-related costs.
Under Pennsylvania adoption law, expenses such as the following can be covered:
- Prenatal care
- Counseling services
- Legal fees for your attorney
- Living expenses in some cases, depending on your situation
Pennsylvania law requires that all financial assistance go through an approved intermediary — meaning funds are handled carefully and documented properly to protect everyone involved. Heart to Heart Adoptions will walk you through what support may be available to you.
Can I Change My Mind? Understanding Pennsylvania's Revocation Period
This is one of the most common questions we hear — and it’s a fair one.
Yes, you can change your mind — but there is a time limit under Pennsylvania adoption law.
Before you sign: You can change your mind at any point. No paperwork is permanent until you sign your consent, and that cannot happen until at least 72 hours after birth.
After you sign: You have 30 days from the date you sign to revoke your consent. To do this, you must submit your decision in writing to Heart to Heart Adoptions, your attorney, or the court. The revocation period cannot be waived or shortened.
After 30 days: Once the 30-day period has passed, your consent is legally final. The only exceptions are if you can prove in court that your consent was obtained through fraud or force — which is a very high legal bar.
We know this is a big decision. That’s why we encourage every birth mother to take full advantage of the counseling, legal support, and time that Pennsylvania law provides.
What Makes Pennsylvania Different?
Every state has its own adoption laws. Here are a few things that are unique to Pennsylvania:
72-hour waiting period: Pennsylvania specifically protects birth mothers by requiring that consent cannot be signed until at least 72 hours after birth — giving you time and space to recover.
30-day revocation window: Pennsylvania’s law gives birth mothers a clear 30-day window to reconsider — and that period cannot be waived by anyone.
Contact Agreements are legally recognized: Pennsylvania courts can approve and enforce Contact Agreements between birth mothers and adoptive families, giving open adoption arrangements real legal weight.
Birth father rights: If the birth father is known, he may also have rights in Pennsylvania. His consent may be required, or his parental rights may need to be legally terminated. Heart to Heart Adoptions will help you understand how this applies to your situation.
We're Here for You — Every Step of the Way
At Heart to Heart Adoptions, we’ve been walking alongside birth mothers for decades. We know Pennsylvania adoption law inside and out — and more importantly, we know how hard this moment can be.
You are not alone. You are not making a mistake. You are doing something incredibly brave for your child and for yourself.
Whether you’re just starting to think about adoption or you’re ready to make a plan today, we would be honored to talk with you. Reach out to Heart to Heart Adoptions any time — day or night. There is no pressure, only support.
Contact Heart to Heart Adoptions today — we’re ready to listen.
Where to Find More Legal Information About Adoption in Pennsylvania
We want you to feel fully informed. Here are trusted, official resources where you can read more about Pennsylvania adoption law and your rights as a birth mother. These are government and legal sites — free to access, with no pressure or obligation.
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 23 — Adoption (Chapter 27) — The full text of Pennsylvania’s adoption consent and revocation laws, straight from the PA General Assembly.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Adoption Resources:
About the Adoption Process in Pennsylvania — An official overview of how adoption works in Pennsylvania, published by the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Adoption Terminology Guide — Definitions of key legal terms used in PA adoption proceedings, including open adoption and contact agreements.
Pennsylvania Adoption Information Registry (PAIR) — A confidential state registry for birth parents who want to share medical or social history information, or indicate preferences for future contact.
Adoption & Fostering Resources — PA Department of Human Services — A directory of additional adoption support organizations and legal assistance resources in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Courts — Adoption Procedures:
Pennsylvania Court Rules on Adoption (Chapter 15) — The official PA court procedural rules for adoption, including voluntary relinquishment and termination of parental rights.