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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4,333 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 1,205,516 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
226. StPierre : I was adopted in St Marys County Maryland, and was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 6, 1952. I am searching for my birth mother name was Mable Elizabeth St Pierre, but on my birth certificate it had the name at the time of Betty Jean Smith.
227. JanBrindleJones : i was born in Washington DC with a severely clubbed right foot. first surgery was at five days old. i remained in the hospital until i was nearly two months old when i was placed with my adoptive family.
228. Barbmain03 : I was adopted at birth through Family and Child Services in Washington, D.C. I am looking for birth family -I have had a wonderful life. I recently had a heart attack and was diagnosed with diabetes. I would love to find birth family to learn my health history. I have thee beautiful children and 3 beautiful grandchildren. Please connect...
229. Barbmain03 : searching for birth family. Female born march 1961. adoptive parents live in Maryland. adoption took place in Washington, DC. records are sealed. adoptive mom is 90+, adoptive dad has passed, my husband has passed - really would like to find family.
230. JeRoberts : Born in Washington, DC, 1974, was adopted through Maryland agency. Was given medical information of mother only at the time of my birth. I was adopted 6 months after I was born.
231. PIBaker : I am looking for a male who was born January 1969. He may have been adopted in Nebraska or in Iowa. We were told that he did try to reach out to my mother years ago. The siblings are looking to connect with him. My mother called him John, but not sure this would be of any help. He was born at Methodist Hospital.
232. Kathleenfrey : I was born in Baltimore to a woman named Andrea. Her parents names were Eleanor and Ellwood.She named me Kathleen. My father John as from Ithaca, NY. He was a Marine that was KIA in Vietnam. He was 24 when he was stationed in Baltimore. Deployed in January 1967. My adoption was handled by DSS of the City of Baltimore.
233. DeeDee06 : I was born in Baltimore Maryland & adopted from St. Vincent’s via Catholic Charities. I am in need of any medical history known. If by chance my birth parents see this, Thank you so much for giving me life. You will never know how very much I appreciate. I really am in need of my medical history. Thank you again. With Love
234. Mr1022 : Adopted through The Barker Foundation in Maryland. Lived in Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
235. Petercolombo1959 : We are trying to find my nephew who was born nov 21st 1972 at prince George’s hospital in cheverly Maryland his biological mother name is Carmela Colombo. She didn’t name the baby she said he was just called Colombo baby in the hospital. Carmela lives in California. I am her brother Peter Colombo I live in Bladensburg md within 2 minutes from where he was born. My sister Carmela would love if he could be located. Carmela said when she moved to California years ago she did notify pg co social services of her move just in case he ever wanted to find her.
236. Ebbfincham : Puller Hughes McDaniel and Timothy Joseph McDaniel were adopted by the same couple in 1970. The adoption was handled by Mrs. Wimmer of The Dept of Human Services in Rockville, Md. Timmy’s birthday is January 5th, 1967 and Puller (Buddy) is April 4, 1966. They were placed for adoption by myself as I was divorced and was not getting any help and I couldn’t keep a roof over their heads or food and clothing for them. I wanted a good life for them.
237. Lotus : Name on original birth certificate was Keith Michael Dee. DOB: September 8, 1966. Born at St Joseph’s hospital in Towson Maryland. Birth mother’s maiden name: Janie Damminger (my mother). Was adopted through Catholic Charities adoptions unit (in Arlington Virginia most likely) within a few days of birth.
238. Blaze1954 : Adopted Parents Thomas Jesse Miller Beatrice Louise Miller
239. MaryAnnBuhrman : I am a female who was adopted from St. Ann’s Children’s Home at birth. I was born in Washington, DC on November 11, 1952. I was raised Catholic. I don’t know anything else about my birth parents. I am looking to connect with a birth parent, sibling or other biological relative. I would like to have ancestoral information and medical information so that I may pass that on to my children. My adoption was handled by our family doctor, Dr. Muphey, in Rockville, Maryland. My DNA came back that I am 47% British and 52% Irish.
240. MelanieRose62 : The name on my adoption paperwork is Melody. I know I was adopted in Baltimore, MD through Social Services in 1966
