Maryland Adoption Records
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Accessing Maryland Adoption Records
For decades, Maryland has had sealed adoption records, making them inaccessible without a court order. Some adoptees can access their original birth certificates, but not everyone has this option.
While Maryland prohibits access to adoption records, the state offers two alternative pathways for people looking for their biological relatives. However, both programs have their limitations. If you’re searching for Maryland adoption records, Adopted.com offers an easier solution.
We provide a voluntary adoption reunion registry where anyone impacted by an adoption can search for information. It doesn’t matter when the adoption occurred, and there’s no need to file a court petition. You just need to answer ten simple questions about the adoption that most people know – even without access to state records.
The Adopted.com registry spans the state of Maryland, from Hagerstown to Baltimore and everywhere in between. If you’ve hit a roadblock looking for adoption records in Maryland, register with Adopted.com. Join a community where reunions happen every day.
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3,971 Are Maryland Adoption Records Public?
No. Maryland adoption records have been sealed since July 1, 1947. You cannot access adoption records in Maryland without a court order.
If you were adopted in Maryland in 2000 or later, you can obtain your original birth certificate once you turn 21. However, if the adoption occurred between 1947 and 2000, you cannot get this document without petitioning the court.
How to Access Adoption Records in Maryland?
While accessing adoption records in Maryland is difficult, the state offers a confidential intermediary program for post-adoption reunion services. Confidential intermediaries can access sealed adoption records to search for adoptees or their biological relatives.
You can request a search through Maryland’s confidential intermediary program if you’re:
- An adult adoptee (21 or older)
- A birth parent who voluntarily terminated your parental rights
- A birth sibling or half-sibling (21 or older) if you were also adopted
To request a search, you need to complete several forms from the Maryland Department of Human Services. Complete Application Form 2062 with as much information as you can provide, though you can leave questions blank if you don’t know the answers. You also need to complete a notarized consent form and a statistical survey. Return the forms to the department with a copy of your driver’s license or other photo ID.
Once you request a search, you’ll be assigned an intermediary and sign a service agreement. While the intermediary cannot give you copies of your adoption records, they’ll attempt to locate your relatives. If successful, the intermediary will ask if they want to have contact with you. If they do, the intermediary will arrange a reunion.
In addition to the confidential intermediary program, Maryland also has a Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry. You can join this registry if you’re an adult adoptee, a birth parent, or a biological sibling. If one of your family members also registers, the state will alert you to the match so you can connect. However, the registry has not resulted in many matches, according to the state.
How Do I Get My Adoption Records Unsealed in Maryland?
You’ll need to petition the court to get adoption records unsealed. If you were adopted between 1947 and 1999, you can file a request for your original birth certificate. Petition the court to authorize the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to release the record to you.
You can get a copy of your original birth certificate if you’re at least 21 and were adopted after 2000. This document will list your birth parents’ names, unless they’ve submitted a disclosure veto to remain anonymous.
Birth parents can also request amended birth certificates for adoptions that occurred in 2000 or later, as long as the adoptee is over 21 years old. Adoptees can file a disclosure veto if they don’t want identifying information released.
What Happens to the Original Birth Certificate After Adoption in Maryland?
After an adoption, the adoptee’s birth certificate is changed to list their adoptive parents. The original birth certificate, which has the birth parents’ names, is sealed as part of the adoption record.
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Let Adopted.com help you find your lost family today!
Adopted.com is a powerful adoption reunion registry designed to help you reconnect with your birth parents. By registering, you gain access to a growing database of over 1,185,528 profiles, increasing your chances of finding your biological relatives. The platform respects your privacy and allows you to update your profile anytime.
Registration is free, and the unique search tool ensures measurable match results. When you find your birth parents, remember to approach the reunion with an open heart and understanding, as it can be an emotionally significant experience for everyone involved.
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Maryland Who Chose To Be Featured
1. Jffcmpbll : I was born in Baltimore, MD, April 1968 Sinai Hospital I think and adopted within 6 months. I was provided some info from the Maryland adoption registry about my mother, and her parents. Mother was 5’ 7, red hair, green eyes, protestant. Had worked as a waitress and Hairdresser. Had 3 sisters, one worked in a hospital, one worked in a paper mill, and one was a waitress. None of them went to college. She was married in 1962 and divorced in 1973. Allergic to fish, had hives, and underactive thyroid. Grandparents - Grandmother was 5’ 4, red hair, brown eyes, a housewife, and died at age 82 from a urinary infection. Grandfather - was 6’ 6, slim, brown hair, blue eyes, worked in a steel mill, and died at age 90 from asbestos.
2. Scbysnack1 : FOUND - AUGUST 2022 Michigan‚ Muskegon‚ Grant‚ Washburn‚ Constance‚ Jerry‚ Loretta‚ Lima‚ Newaygo‚ Ken‚ Larry‚ Orville‚ Ravenna‚ White Cloud‚ Westbrook
3. Donniegirl : I am looking for my daughter
4. Athomas130 : Brother looking for older adopted full-blood brother born at Columbia Hospital for Women‚ Washington‚ D.C.‚ in March of 1967. It’s believed the adopting family was from NY (possibly NJ?)‚ and may have named their newly adopted son John (though it was Ivan at birth). The adopting parents may have divorced‚ and the adopting father lived in Baltimore. Grandmother from Texas visited the adopting family 6 months after birth to see her newly adopted grandson. Our parents went on to marry‚ and eventually had myself‚ and another son‚ who has since passed. Looking to pass on family health history and reconnect if desired. -abt
5. Writeontask : Prince Georges Hospital- Cheverly, MD. My mother was Born 12/21/1948 in W Germany. Her family was from Latvia . I have a 1/2 sister born 7/4/1967. My social worker’s name was Janet Stanton. BD 9-23-68.
6. Donnar : Born in Bethesda, MD - Out of wedlock - Fathers name was Moore
7. Benita : My name is Benita May and I was born in prince georges hospital center on July 25, 1985. I believe my mom should have been 14 years old and her last name may have started with a W. My birth name at the time was Bonnie Whipple. I have unidentifiable information that says she was about 5’1 or 5’2 and light brown skin and father info left out. Her mom I think made her do it.
8. Benita : I was given up through social services. July 1985. My birth mother was young. She could’ve been 14 or 15 years old at the time. She loved to sing and dance and I imagine to be beautiful. My paper work says Prince George’s Hospital place of birth, but who knows. Social worker I believe brought me home. I can’t remember. I think her name was Donna C. You are very important to me.
9. Aliza : Case #A005-72‚ adoption arranged through JSSA in Maryland I was born on New Years Eve Day-12/31
10. TheresaLopezSymonds : I hope you had great parents and a great upbringing. I miss you every day! You mean the world to me! I hope some day soon I will meet you. You have two brothers name Christian and Steven and they can not wait to meet you. I am here for you in any way and everyway you want me to be. I love you and respect your wishes but I hope and pray you will come looking for us soon. Love Mom
11. MSC1 : Looking for my birth parents , siblings and other relatives. Male, born in Towson, Baltimore, Maryland, January 25 1967 at 6:33 AM. Agency was Maryland Children’s Aid Society. Hospital was John Hopkins Medical Center. Attorney was Dr, Thomas J. Grogan Jr. Baltimore Circuit Court.
12. Ghee : Born on March 6, 1971, at Our Lady of Providence Hospital Washington DC Adoption process thru Prince George’s county Maryland
13. Pdmnottingham : I want to find my husbands family, for many reasons. Medical and personal, is their someone that has blue eyes, are they tall or short. Does our kids have other Uncles or Aunts and cousins?
14. Jketchum0924 : ISO birth parents I was born September 24, 1969 in Baltimore, Md, placed for adoption as a newborn through Maryland Children’s Aid Society mid-state district office in Elkton, Md. ( I believe it is now closed or possibly merged with catholic charities) Adoption decree was completed through Circuit Court No. 2 of Baltimore City. Docket 11AD FOLIO 202, Case No. 15181 AD Blue eye, very tall (6ft), natural blonde hair has a child.
15. Bonniecaton : I have been searching for my birthparents since I was 18. I have had a wonderful life but have a hole that needs to be filled by the information that only birthparents can do. I was adopted in Towson, Maryland and was told I was born in Maryland (hospital unknown). I had foster parents for 4 months where I was named "SALLY" I was brought home to my adopted family in April 1964. I found a small piece of paper in my parents files that had a physical description of both my mom & dad but no names. I believe that they were around 17 and still in high school. Not positive. She may have come to Baltimore from outside MD to stay and the Florence Critter(sp?) home for unwed mothers to have me and return back to her real home. Not positive on that either. PLEASE reach out if you think we could be connected! I need to find out!
