IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
ORPHANS’ COURT DIVISION
IN RE: ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
2016-02
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION PETITIONS
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 21st day of July, 2016, it is hereby ORDERED and DECREED that all Adoption Petitions in the County of Northampton shall contain the following, in addition to those requirements promulgated in the Pennsylvania Orphans’ Court Rules, effective September 1, 2016:
1. Petitioner must provide a copy of his/her identification with the Adoption Petition, only Driver’s Licenses or other government-issued identification will be accepted.
2. Any birth certificate provided must be originals, not copies, as to ensure the accuracy of the document.
3. Original Death Certificates, if applicable, must be provided to prove the death of a prospective adoptee’s parent.
4. If parental rights have been terminated by a Court of this Commonwealth, certified copies of these proceedings must be filed along with the Adoption Petition.
5. Clearances must be filed along with the Adoption Petition where the Petitioner is not a relative of the adoptee.
6. The requisite Counseling Fee in the amount of Seventy-Five Dollars ($75.00) must be paid at the time of filing of an Adoption Petition . Alternatively the Petition must contain a request to waive the fee.
BY THE COURT:
_______________________
EMIL GIORDANO