# PA. R. Ct. 15.2: Rule 15.2. Definitions

> Pennsylvania · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_2

## Section

- **Citation:** PA. R. Ct. 15.2
- **Heading:** Rule 15.2. Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** PA Court Rules / Title 231 / Rule 15.2

## Text

In addition to the terms and definitions provided in Rule 1.3, the following words and phrases when used in Chapter XV shall have the following meaning: ‘‘Adopted Child’’ or ‘‘Adopted Individual’’ —any individual for whom a decree of adoption has been entered in accordance with 23 Pa.C.S. § 2902 after a hearing, or in accordance with the laws of another country or state of a similar import; ‘‘Adoptee’’ —an individual as defined in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2102; ‘‘Agency’’ —an entity or organization providing adoption services as defined in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2102 or 23 Pa.C.S. § 2732, as applicable; ‘‘Authorized Representative’’ —an individual as defined in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2911 trained by the Department to handle certain requests for identifying information and to search for the subject of the request as necessary; ‘‘Birth Relative’’ —an individual as identified in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2732; ‘‘Child’’ —an adoptee or adopted individual who is a minor, or the individual whose parent’s rights are the subject of a termination proceeding; ‘‘Clerk’’ —the clerk or department as defined in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2102; ‘‘Contact Agreement’’ —a voluntary written agreement between a Prospective Adoptive Parent and a birth relative that is executed and approved by the court in accordance with 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2731 et seq. and provides for continuing post-adoption contact or communication between the adopted child and the birth relative or between the adoptive parent and the birth relative; ‘‘Court’’ —the division of the Court of Common Pleas conducting any proceeding under the Adoption Act; ‘‘Department’’ —the Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth; ‘‘Intermediary’’ —any person or agency arranging an adoption placement as defined in 23 Pa.C.S
ion contact or communication between the adopted child and the birth relative or between the adoptive parent and the birth relative; ‘‘Court’’ —the division of the Court of Common Pleas conducting any proceeding under the Adoption Act; ‘‘Department’’ —the Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth; ‘‘Intermediary’’ —any person or agency arranging an adoption placement as defined in 23 Pa.C.S. § 2102; ‘‘Minor’’ —a person who has not attained 18 years of age; ‘‘Presumptive Father’’ —the man married to the child’s mother at any time during the one-year period prior to the child’s birth; ‘‘Prospective Adoptive Parents’’ —individuals with whom the adoptee has been placed for the purpose of adoption, or who have filed a report of intention to adopt under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2531; ‘‘Putative Father’’ —an alleged birth father whose parental status has not been legally established and who is not a presumptive father; ‘‘Statement of medical, personal, or social history information’’ —the information concerning an adopted individual or the birth family of an adopted individual as set forth in 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2102, 2911. The Rules in this Chapter use the term ‘‘statement of medical, personal, or social history information’’ because the Adoption Act refers to these statements in varying ways. Compare 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2503(e), 2504(d), 2511(c) with 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2923, 2934. Explanatory Comment In Philadelphia County, jurisdiction over adoptions, terminations of parental rights, birth records, and related proceedings is exercised through the Family Court Division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. 20 Pa.C.S. § 713. In all other counties, family court judges who have adjudicated a child dependent, conducted permanency hearings, or conducted other dependency proceedings may be assigned to the Orphans’ Court Division for purposes of hearing petitions to terminate parental rights or petitions to adopt a dependent child. 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(i)
rt Division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. 20 Pa.C.S. § 713. In all other counties, family court judges who have adjudicated a child dependent, conducted permanency hearings, or conducted other dependency proceedings may be assigned to the Orphans’ Court Division for purposes of hearing petitions to terminate parental rights or petitions to adopt a dependent child. 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(i). Source The provisions of this Rule 15.2 rescinded and replaced July 22, 2021, effective July 1, 2022, 51 Pa.B. 4267. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (382159) to (382160).

## Nearby sections

- [PA. R. Ct. 14.3 Rule 14.3. Alternative Proof of Incapacity: Expert Report in Lieu of In-Person or Deposition Testimony of Expert.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_3.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 14.5 Rule 14.5. [Rescinded].](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_5.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 14.7 Rule 14.7. Order and Certificate.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_7.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 14.8 Rule 14.8. Guardianship Reporting, Monitoring, Review, and Compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_8.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 14.9 Rule 14.9. Review Hearing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_9.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 14.10 Rule 14.10. Proceedings Relating to Real Property.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_10.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 14.12 Rule 14.12. Transfer of Guardianship of the Estate to Another State.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_12.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 14.13 Rule 14.13. Acceptance of a Guardianship Transferred from Another State.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R14_13.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 15.1 Rule 15.1. Local Adoption Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_1.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 15.2 Rule 15.2. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_2.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 15.3 Rule 15.3. Prerequisites for any Petition to Terminate Parental Rights or Petition to Adopt.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_3.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 15.4 Rule 15.4. Notice of Hearing to Terminate Parental Rights; Method and Time.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_4.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 15.5 Rule 15.5. Certification Filed with the Clerk Maintaining the Dependency Docket.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_5.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 15.6 Rule 15.6. Filing of Termination Petitions when an Agency is Not Involved.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_6.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T231_R15_2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.