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Maryland's Adoption Laws

Adoption Records

Maryland

Statute: Fam. Law §§ 5-707(a); 5-714(c)

Records Confidential: Yes

Persons with access to records

• CPS/State Agencies

• Law Enforcement

Persons without access to records

• Agencies From Other States

• Courts/Judges

• Grand Juries

• Attorneys General/Prosecutors

• Attorneys, GAL's

• Physicians

• Reporters of Abuse

• Researchers

• Employers

• Parents/Guardians

• Coroners

• Review Teams

• Treatment Providers

• Subject of Reports

• Public/Any Person

Other Not addressed in statutes reviewed.


© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.


Consent to Adoption

The consent may be signed any time following the birth.

Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of Maryland.

Revocation Time Frame in Maryland

The consent may be revoked up to 30 days after signing.


Parties to an Adoption

Maryland

Who May Adopt

Statute: Family Law § 5-309

Any adult, regardless of marital status

Who May Be Adopted

Statute: Family Law § 5-307

Any person, whether minor or adult

Who May Place a Child for Adoption

Statute: Family Law § 5-311

• The birth parent(s)

• A child placement agency that has been awarded guardianship


© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.


Birth Father Statutes

No information currently available.


Adoption Expenses

Maryland 

Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: Fam. § 5-327(a)(2) 

Reasonable and customary charges or fees for hospital or medical or legal services 

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed

 Not addressed in statutes reviewed

 Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: Fam. § 5-327(a)(1)

 A person or organization may not receive compensation for arranging an adoptive placement. 

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: Crim. § 3-603 

A person may not barter, trade, buy, or offer to sell a child for anything of value

.Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: Fam. § 5-327(b)

 The Social Services Administration or licensed agency may receive reimbursement for costs of adoptive services. 

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: Fam. § 5-327(c) 

In an independent adoption, the petitioner shall file an accounting of all payments and disbursements of any items of value.


© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.


International Expenses

No information currently available.


General Adoption Statutes

Maryland

Agency or Person Gathering Information or Preparing Report Statute: Fam. Law § 5-328 Any person authorized to place a minor child

Contents of Report About Person to be Adopted Statute: Fam. Law §§ 5-329.1; 5-316

  1. • Medical and dental records
  2. • Religious background

Contents of Report About Birth Parents Statute: Fam. Law § 5-328

  1. • Medical history
  2. • Religious background

Contents of Report About Adoptive Parents Statute: Fam. Law § 5-316 Religious background


© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.


If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.


DISCLAIMER

American Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

Other Aspects of Maryland Adoption Law

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