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 1,205,528 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
301. Smiller060983 : I was adopted at birth in June of 1983 through the Catholic church’s adoption program. My actual date of birth is June 9‚ 1983. I know that my birth mother did write at least one letter to my adoptive mother when I was either 5 or 10 years old. The adoption took place in Maryland‚ and I believe in Baltimore city or county but possibly in a nearby area. My adoptive parents are J. M. Miller III and P. W. Miller (maiden name Gaumnitz)‚ and they are still currently married. They live in Baltimore and were also born and raised in Baltimore. I also know that I have at least one biological sibling‚ I believe he is a male. There is definitely the possibility of other biological siblings that I am unaware of at this time. I am relatively sure that my biological mother has been married at least once‚ but I am not sure if that marriage is still current or if there have been any other marriages in her life. I am going to begin to investigate further and hope to find much more detailed information regarding the adoption soon. I believe that my biological mother was relatively young when I was born. I am currently 34 years old‚ so my mother would be in the general age range of 52 years old (I believe). I have set up a new email address particularly for this searching process‚ and I sincerely ask anyone who either fits this information or may know someone who does to have her contact me.
302. Tmday1016 : Hello my name is Tina Sloop I am the daughter of a person who was adopted. My father his birth name was Smith. There are conflicting stories all I know of his natural parents are that his father/Mother and siblings lived in DryFork, West Virginia and his natural mother Lettie Smith as she has been told to me moved to Washington D.C. in/or about 1965. She visited requesting to see us: (her grandchildren) and my father denied her. My fathers name as I knew it was George Clarence Day born 3/8/1937. My adopted grand parents are/were Baxter Day, and Eva Day(White) of Cumberland Maryland. All parties are deceased, would like to meet any living relatives. Can you assist me with this information?
303. Allyorros : I was adopted through catholic charities in Washington DC or Rockville Maryland. I was immediately put up for adoption at birth. I went home with my adoptive family at 6weeks old
304. Brobin1017 : I was told that my birth mother was 16 years old and had red and/or brown hair. She had a gift for music and was Catholic. My birth father was in his first year of college and had blond hair. Supposedly no medical history on either side. I would like to know if I have half brothers/sisters and if there is any medical history on either side that I need to know about now.
305. Tp40 : born 11/19/1962 baby girl born 11 p.m Baltimore adoption thru catholic charities
306. Hittheroadforme121 : Help me find my parents
307. Curvie : This is my grandson born dakoda sawyer,mother was lisa swearinger father curvis sawyer later adopted by step father do not know last name., Born in altoona,pa in 1994 or 1995 on July 4
308. Sghudgins : I was adopted through Catholic Charities. My birthmother was 17, unmarried and had 4 younger sisters. She had long brown hair and brown eyes. Her father was very involved in the adoption process. Birthfather is not known.
309. Carenlb : I’m wishing to find the child of Margaret Routen possibly born in 63 or 64 in Maryland.
310. Robb666 : baltimore md 1969 hello are you still there
311. Chakurda : Private adoption through the church in Baltimore. May have been the Norwegian (or Danish) Seaman’s Church. Family legend indicates that the birth mother died and the birth father was unable to care for an infant so gave her up for adoption through the church. DNA has been done on descendants and is on Ancestry. Do you match us?
312. Wancowicz0531 : I am searching for m birth mother, who did leave a letter with Catholic Charities in 1999. My birth registration shows Baltimore City.
313. Elflordmoe : My husband would like tofind out who birth parents are for his children and grand children’s health history, have done a ancestry dna test also.
314. DonaAndHeather : Baby boy born in Anchorage, Ak. At Providence Hospital. Mother’s name at time of birth was Dona Jo Wennersten. Father’s name is Harold James Bailey. Did have medical issues at birth. Had to have a blood transfusion.
315. Mobuckshot : I am a white male and was born in the City Hospital in Baltimore MD. A Christian adoption agency was used. Mother was 15, father was 16.
