You may select the agency, and the adoptive parents. Open adoptions are more frequent these days. Your age is irrelevant- except that there are certain risks associated with pregnancies after age 35. Personally, I hated the idea of "marketing" myself and my hubby (ages 44 and 52 at the time of adopting our daughter) in order to become parents, so we did not even try domestic adoption, and did an orphanage adoption.
I do not believe you will incur any cost. AS a matter of fact, I believe that the adoptive parents are allowed to also cover the medical expenses related to the prenancy/childbirth. And they will cover the legal costs. If you want your own attorney (which is a good idea) then it appears that the adoptive parents may pay for that as well.
AS to finding an agency you are comfortable with, ask and talk to many people. I am on a number of online weblists/support groups for adoptive parents, and many of them maintain feedback on agencies- their responsiveness, professionalism, reputation, honesty, etc. But, again, these are primarilly international adoption, so need specialized knowledge and contacts. Likely there are similar sites for domestic adoption.
DEpending upon your faith, you may want to start by contacting some established, reputable agencies such as Lutheran Family Services, Jewish Family Services, etc. who can likely refer you.
http://www.adoptionsolutions.com/general/state laws/pa_law.htm
Pennsylvania Adoption
Statute Summary
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 23, Sections 2101 to 2910, and Title 55, Sections 33501.1 to 3350.14 (1997)
Who can Adopt?
Any individual may adopt.
Who Can Be Adopted?
Any individual may be adopted, regardless of his age or residence.
Consent to Adoption
Consent is required of the following parties:
1. the parents of the adoptee, who are under 18 years of age;
2. the husband, if he was the husband of the natural mother at any time within 1 year prior to the birth of the adoptee;
3. the spouse of the adopting parent, unless the spouse joins in the adoption;
4. the adoptee, if over 12 years of age;
5. the guardian of an incapacitated adoptee;
6. the guardian or anyone having custody of the adoptee whenever there is no parent whose consent is required.
7. If the adoptee is over 18 years of age, or if the adoptee is under 18 and has no living parents, then the court may decide that only adoptee's consent is required.
The husband of the natural mother, who is proven not to be the adoptee's father, is not required to consent.
Consent is not required when parental rights have been involuntarily terminated (for example, due to repeated and continuous abuse, neglect, or failure to care for the child).
Consent cannot occur until 72 hours after the birth of the child. Consent may only be revoked prior to the final decree of adoption or the termination of parental rights, whichever occurs first.
Putative Father's Rights
A putative father may execute a consent to adoption at any time after receiving notice of the expected or actual birth of the child. If a putative father fails to file acknowledgment of paternity, appear at the adoption hearing, or file an objection, the court may enter a decree terminating parental rights of the putative father.
Confidentiality
All adoption records, and other papers shall be withheld from inspection except upon a court order. The adoptee, who is at least 18 years of age, or the adoptee's adoptive parents, if the adoptee is under 18 years of age, may request of the court information concerning the natural parents that will not reveal their identity. Upon such a request of an adoptee who is 18 years of age, or the adoptive parents, if the adoptee is under 18 years of age, the court or the agency which placed the adoptee may attempt to contact the natural parents to obtain their consent to release of their identity. Information shall only be released about parents that agree to the disclosure.
Permissible Fees
The adoption report shall include an itemized account of all money paid by adoptive parents. The following payments made by the adoptive parent to a third are permissible: Medical and hospital expenses incurred by the natural mother or on behalf of the child prior to adoption and reasonable expenses incurred by an agency for administrative costs and for counseling and training services to the adoptive parents. The court may also require the adoptive parents to pay for the legal fees of the biological parents, and the child's guardian ad litem, and counsel.
Place of Adoption Hearing
The adoption hearing can take place in the county where the adoptee's biological parents or the adoptive parents live, where the adoptee formerly lived, or where the child-placing agency that has custody is located.
Authority To Place Child
Any incorporated or unincorporated organization, society, institution, or other entity, public or voluntary, which may receive or provide for the care of children, supervised by the Department of Public Welfare, and providing adoption services in accordance with standards of the Department, has authority to place a child. An intermediary may act between the adoptive and natural parents to help arrange the adoption. The intermediary must file with the court, prior to the adoption, an affidavit containing a statement of fees and expenses, extensive information concerning the child, and other statutorily prescribed terms.
Relative Adoption
The preadoption report required of all adopting parents is not required when a relative or stepparent is adopting the child.
Special Circumstances
Whenever possible, the adopting parent shall be of the same religious faith as the natural parents of the adoptee.
Re-printed with permission from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.