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
436. Demetriabarnes30 : I never stop asking for him I really want to find you I’m your next to the oldest sister Dee... I hope I find you
437. Angieb68 : I am looking for my birth sister. She was born June 1971. ( not sure of the day in June) She was adopted through Pierce Warrick Adoption Services in Washington DC, soon after birth. Last name on birth certificate maybe Custer or Patyas. Mom’s name Rosemary
438. Pamela619 : I think I was born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
439. Mommaschu : I believe I was born in the Southern Md area. I grew up in St. Mary’s County. I believe my biological mother was young when she had me.
440. Kylieanneb246 : Mother’s name marry ann loman last name may be different She is from South Carolina may not be their now
441. AaronBowser : I know both of my parents were from NYC. Mom was from Brooklyn, NY. She gave birth to me at Cheverly, MD hospital on November 27, 1976. I believe she was 16yrs old at the time. Not sure if she had relatives in Maryland. Father had lots of siblings and much older than her.
442. Mintzjulep : Looking for birth parents or half sibling. Adopted born in Baltimore City on May 16, 1970. Adopted about age 1. May have been adopted through Catholic Charities in Towson, MD. Was told birth mom may have already had a child. Name in foster care/orphanage was Dawn.
443. Jef780 : I was born on 11/10/1970 in Baltimore MD and placed in a foster home. My mother was unmarried at the time.
444. Shetia : Baltimore, father kevin smith grandmother might have got custody of him aunt name Kimberly last hears she was married
445. MomSeeking2Sons : I signed my parental rights away to Talbot County Social Services in 2001 I believe. Due to circumstances I was unaware of that caused the children to be taken to begin with, then because they threatened that because I was living with my parents after your father told me he wanted a divorce and kicked me out of our home 2 weeks before I was about to get custody of all of you children back one by one, and couldn’t get out on my own so easily they were going to take my rights by force. The plan was suppose to be open adoption so I could get updates but I never got any. At birth my son’s name was Gabrielle (Gabriel) Patrick Ryan, born in Easton Memorial Hospital of Easton, MD, now known as University of Maryland in Easton. He was born premature. He has 3 brothers and 1 sister, but his brother at the time that he was close to and was in a foster type care called Mentor (for special needs children) because his brother Kayleb has a genetic disease we call PMD. The last person I knew to have the boys were Carol Merritt of Mardela Springs, MD and had heard they had moved to Cecil County. Unsure what part. They have been known to go to AI DuPont for Kayleb for specialists. I am searching for both boys and I was promised they would be kept together, but I don’t know if they were kept together. I am wishing to make contact. I love both of them and have never stopped, never wanted to sign those papers. There was suppose to be a memory book prepared for the boys with pictures and a video. Please know if I could have stopped this I would have. I have had contact with your little sister for almost a year now. The picture on my profile is the last day I got to spend with Gabe, we were looking at the pictures that were going to be used for your memory book. Also, Gabriel was born with a physical defect on his left hand. 2 fingers were fused, his middle finger and his ring finger were attached together and were surgically separated between 1 yr and 18 months old and at the same time surgery on a hernia was repaired in Easton, Md. Jennifer DuBosque (not sure on spelling) was the case worker at Social Services that handled everything that I know of. Patrick Michael Ryan is your birth father and to my knowledge lives in Paducah, Ky. and is remarried with a new family, incase you are also trying to locate him. He has been in contact with your sister Cheyenne as well. I will always love you no matter what anyone says.
446. Darrenjoetony : Baltimore Maryland
447. Travismartin92 : Biological Mother: Debbie Biological Father: Albert I was told my father was injured in a motorcycle accident. I believe my biological parents named me Michael Colbath.
448. William5962 : I am In search of a brother that was given up for adoption we have the same mom but different father his name at Birth was RANDALL HORN was born at Florence Crittenden home in Washington DC in December 1957 the mothers name at the time was Priscilla A Horn and the father last name was Adams. He lived in Gaithersburg Maryland at the time. My mom told me about a year the county came to her to sign the adoption papers. that was in Montgomery co. Maryland she said that the father was notified about the birth but don’t know if he wanted the child or not. I was born in 1959 so he would not have knowed about me but have always wanted to try to find him. thanks
449. Mikey5 : I was born in Elkton Maryland in Cecil County I was adopted out of the Baltimore adoption agency and I was the very last child adopted out of there.
450. Amandao : Searching for birth mother of daughter born June 11, 1965 in Washington, DC. Baby girl Shaffer was the name on my adoption record. Believe father was Dutch.
