April 11, 2001
Mary E. Mears, Esquire
Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Anthony G. Marsili
Court of Common Pleas
Westmoreland County
Two North Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601-2402
Dear Ms. Shay:
I am writing in response to your correspondence of April 4,2001. Judge Marsili has asked that I inform you that with respect to requests for release of non-identifying information, we follow the procedures outlined in 23 PA.C.S.A. 2905. Our office routinely receives letters and petitions from adoptees concerning the information discussed in this statute. I am enclosing a copy of 2905 for your review and use.
I am also enclosing a copy of a recent Order of Court approving the organizations/individuals named therein to conduct investigations, home studies, and pre-placement reports.
I hope this information will be of value to you.
Yours very truly,
Mary E. Mears, Esquire
Those organizations/individuals named in the court order are:
Catholic Charities
Diocese of Greensburg
711 E. Pittsburgh Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
(724) 837-1840
(800) 241-7360
Adoptions From The Heart
9 Claremont Ave
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-853-6533
The Lutheran Service Society Of Western PA
1011 Old Salem Road, Suite 107
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-837-9385
Mary Jane Grisnik, MSW, LSW
117 Seventh Avenue
Sutersville, PA 15083
724-872-3678
3-5-99 Response from Patricia Kurp Masten, Esq., Judicial Clerk, Westmoreland County
The following information is in response to the specific inquiries contained in your February 15, 1999 letter:
- When an adoptee wishes to either obtain non-identifying information about their adoption or to initiate a search for their biological parent(s), the Judge forwards a letter to the adoptee advising hin/her that the Pennsylvania Adoption Act, 23 PA. C.S.A. 2905 (b) and 2905 (c), specifically mandates that a petition be filed before the court can release limited information or appoint a designated agent on behalf of an adoptee. Therefore, the petition must be presented to the presiding Orphans' Court Judge on the day set for motions. There is a twenty- five ($25.00) fee associated with filing the Petition and attached Court Order.
- A waiver of confidentiality may be placed in the file from either the adoptees or birth parents at no charge.
- If both the adoptee and the birth parents have filed a waiver of confidentiality, we will generally release all information contained in the adoption file unless there is a compelling reason or statutory provision preventing the release of certain information.
Any inquiries about Westmoreland County procedure can be directed to my attention at: Westmoreland County Courthouse 2 North Main Street Greensburg, PA 15601 (724) 830-3809
I wish you success in compiling your state-wide data base and am certainly willing to assist you should your have further questions.