What are the legal rights of adopted children?

In Pennsylvania, adopted children are granted many of the same legal rights as biological children. These legal rights include the right to inherit from their adoptive parents, the right to visit with their adoptive parents if they are separated, and the right to access their original birth records. Adopted children also have a right to the same public and private education as biological children, as well as the right to join any organization or activity open to children, such as sports teams. In addition, adopted children are also granted the right to maintain contact with their birth parents, unless the court rules out this possibility. While adoption is permanent, the court may decide not to terminate the parental rights of the birth parents if they are able to demonstrate that they have maintained a bond with their child. When this happens, the adopted child may have certain rights, such as the right to receive support from the birth parent or even the right to seek financial or emotional support from their birth parent. Lastly, adopted children also have the right to live and work in the United States. Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, foreign-born children adopted by American citizens are automatically granted U.S. citizenship. This law grants them the right to work and live in the United States, as well as access to public benefits such as Medicaid and Social Security. In Pennsylvania, adopted children are given many of the same rights as biological children to ensure that they are given a secure and protected upbringing.

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