Management of the non-judicial operations of the Court system.
Establishment and enforcement of child and spousal support orders.
Provide equal access to justice to all litigants who have limited English proficiency.
Works with juvenile offenders to protect the community, restore victims, reduce risk to reoffend, and assist in providing long-term behavior change.
Provides a comprehensive collection of legal resources to the public.
Issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records dating back to 1885.
Legal proceedings regarding child custody, divorce, and protection from abuse cases.
Specialized Court that handles cases with minors who are involved in legal matters.
First level of the judicial system dealing primarily with summary offenses, preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases, civil claims up to $12,000, landlord/tenant disputes, and emergency protection orders.
Documents used in child and spousal support matters.
Miscellaneous documents used in child custody, divorce, and protection from abuse cases.
Adoption records are sealed by statute, and the contents thereof cannot be released without a court order.
Procedures Available to Adoptees
There are procedures whereby an adult adoptee (age 18 or older), or the parents of a minor adoptee, can petition the Orphans' Court Division for access to either non-identifying or identifying information from their adoption files. The latter information can only be released if the Court successfully locates a birth parent and obtains his or her consent thereto. If the court determines that the birth parent is deceased, the name of the deceased birth parent can be released to the adoptee.
Procedures Available to Birth Parents
Birth parents who placed a child for adoption in Lehigh County may, at any time, file a form indicating their consent to the release of information to the adoptee. Such consent to the release of information may be updated and/or withdrawn at any time.
Questions regarding the procedures for access to adoption information can be directed to the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division (610) 782-3172 or to the Director of Operations (610) 782-3020.
UJS Portal Foreign Adoption form
Statewide forms and instructions, as well as local Lehigh County requirements, regarding registration of an international adoption (in order to obtain a Pennsylvania birth certificate) will be available online shortly.
A production of Nexario Solutions, a service of Anchor Consulting. Pictures courtesy of Nicole Kholi Seaman.
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