Rule 15.9. Alternative Procedure for Relinquishment by Confirmation of Consent to Adoption.
(a) Petition. A petition under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2504 to confirm the consent to adoption given by a birth parent, presumptive father, or putative father relinquishing parental rights and agreeing to have the child placed for adoption shall contain the following averments:
(1) the name, address, age, and racial background of the consenter;
(2) the information required in subparagraph (1) as to any parent who has not signed a consent to adoption, including the birth father, presumptive father, and putative father, or the reasons why the court should find such information is not necessary;
(3) the marital status of the mother as of the time of the child’s birth and during one year prior thereto, and her maiden name;
(4) the name, age, date of birth, place of birth, racial background, and gender of the child;
(5) the date when the consent to adoption was executed by the consenter and that the consent was executed in accordance with 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2711 and 2712;
(6) the number of days that have elapsed since the consent to adoption was executed by the consenter;
(7) whether the petitioner, counsel for the petitioner, or the agency or intermediary in those cases where the agency or intermediary is not the petitioner, has received any writing from the consenter revoking or attempting to revoke the previously executed consent to adoption;
(8) whether the consenter was informed of counseling services concerning the termination of parental rights and the alternatives thereto and provided with a list of qualified counselors and counseling services;
(9) whether the consenter received counseling concerning the termination of parental rights and the alternatives thereto and, if so, the name of the organization or qualified counselor providing such counseling services;
(10) whether the consenter has been informed of the opportunity for a birth relative of the child, including the consenter, to enter into a Contact Agreement with the Prospective Adoptive Parents, once identified; and
(11) whether a consent by the Prospective Adoptive Parents or by the agency to accept custody of the child until such time as the child is adopted is attached to the petition, and if custody is to an individual, whether a Report of Intention to Adopt under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2531 or an adoption petition under Rule 15.13 has been filed.
(b) Exhibits. The following exhibits shall be attached to the petition:
(1) The original consent(s) to adoption.
(2) A verified statement from a representative of the agency or intermediary, counsel for the agency or intermediary, or counsel representing any other party that written notice was provided to the consenter regarding the opportunity of a birth relative to enter into a Contact Agreement, that such notice was provided by hand delivery, by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address, or by electronic transmission in accordance with Rule 15.4(b)(2)(C), and the date(s) that such notice was given. A copy of the notice shall accompany this verified statement.
(3) If, as part of the hearing on the petition, the parental rights of a putative father could be terminated pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2504(c), and if written notice of the opportunity to enter into a Contact Agreement has been provided to the putative father in advance of the petition’s filing, a verified statement from a representative of the agency or intermediary, counsel for the agency or intermediary, or counsel representing any other party that written notice was provided to the putative father regarding the opportunity of a birth relative to enter into a Contact Agreement, that such notice was provided by hand delivery, by first-class United States mail postage prepaid, to the last known address, or by electronic transmission in accordance with Rule 15.4(b)(2)(C), and the date(s) on which such notice was given, or the reasons why such notice cannot be given, including efforts made to identify or locate the subject person. If a notice was given, a copy of the notice shall accompany this verified statement.
(4) The signed consents of the Prospective Adoptive Parents or agency to accept custody of the child until such time as the adoption is completed.
(c) Hearing and Decree.
(1) Notice of the hearing on the petition shall be in the form specified in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2513(b) and shall be provided and served in accordance with 23 Pa.C.S. § 2504(b) and Rule 15.4(b)(2).
(2) On or before the hearing, the court shall be presented with a certificate of service stating that notice of the hearing on the petition was provided in the form specified in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2513(b) and given to the consenter and all others entitled to a copy of the notice in accordance with 23 Pa.C.S. § 2504(b) and Rule 15.4(b)(2).
(3) If as part of hearing on the petition, the parental rights of a putative father could be terminated pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 2504(c), and if notice of the opportunity to enter into a Contact Agreement was not provided to the subject putative father prior to the petition’s filing, then on or before the hearing, the court shall be presented with a verified statement from a representative of the agency or intermediary, counsel for the agency or intermediary, or counsel representing any other party that written notice was provided to the subject putative father regarding the opportunity of a birth relative to enter into a Contact Agreement, that such notice was provided by hand delivery, by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address, or by electronic transmission in accordance with Rule 15.4(b)(2)(C), and the date(s) that such notice was given, or the reason(s) why such notice cannot be given, including efforts made to identify or locate the subject person. If notice was given, a copy of the notice shall accompany this verified statement.
Explanatory Comment An original birth certificate or certification of registration of the child’s birth must be filed with the clerk by the time of filing the initial petition to terminate parental rights. See Rule 15.3(b). For additional information about notice of the opportunity to enter into a Contact Agreement, see the Explanatory Comment to Rule 15.7.
Source The provisions of this Rule 15.9 adopted January 3, 2011, effective in 60 days, 41 Pa.B. 336; rescinded and replaced July 22, 2021, effective July 1, 2022, 51 Pa.B. 4267. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (366192) to (366195).
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