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 1,205,526 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
871. Mrhill97799779 : My adopted name is Donnell Charles Hill. my birth certificate or my adopted birth certificate if I was born September 7th 1979 in Richmond Virginia.. I am an African American male if anyone can assist or help please feel free to contact me thank you
872. Dworkman : I was born June 23 1965, and adopted by an older couple who had been in the Military. My mother was apparently very young when she had me, and went on to have a son a few years later. Mother may have had blonde hair, and birth father dark hair. Born in Prince George County Maryland.
873. TianaSchroeder : I don’t know if my sibling or siblings where adopted or even put out for adoption. I just want to find out if I have siblings or sibling out there my dad always dienied that he had other children to my sisters and I but then our mom said that he was with multiple women and they could have gotten pregnant.
874. Mah40 : Hi I was adopted through the Associated Jewish Charities in Baltimore, MD. They ran an adoption agency in the 50’s and 60’s. The only thing I know is that my birth mother may have been from the midwest and was likely a college student. I would really love to connect with her. Marjie Hamburger
875. MrsCory : My husband wants to find his birth father’s birth family...they were both adopted. I have expressed permission from my husband to locate them since I am good at research. His name is Stephen Alan Kovach after the adoption he’s my biological father-in-law? He was born January 31st 1965. Please help us.
876. Vasquez1989 : Searching for my Mother’s biological family. Maria Leigh Zambuto is her name but Zambuto is adopted last name. She was contacted by her birth mother at some point and she met her eventually however she has passed. Thanks.
877. TyonnaHolliday : I am looking for my daughter born Breonna Michelle Holliday 20 years ago. The adoption organization was Adoption Together. I believe her name is Carmen Elise and that she may have lived in PG county at some point.
878. JR_89 : Holy Cross Hospital- Silver Spring, MD Dr. Nawab
879. Nadiyah1981 : Hello my name is Nadiyah and I am searching for my birth parents.
880. Stampergurl : Search for birth parents or any information on possible half-siblings. I was born in November 1965 in Washington, DC. I believe I was born premature. The adoption took place in Prince Georges County, Maryland.
881. Goofball12 : HI I AM LOOKING FOR MY ADOPTED PARENTS MARY MITCHELL IN BALTIMORE MARYLAND ADOPTION DONE BY DAVID BROTMAN
882. AlexisCheek : Amy Cheek Laveda Cheek Alexis Cheek Deborah Cheek
883. Nitelite : Birth mother’s name is Rita Mae Nye. She was born May 6, 1933. Last known address is in Indiana, but she was a dancer and traveled the US.
884. 0806Phillip : Wishing to find him to know him.
885. Deogee : I am searching for a sibling, male, born 1957, and possibly a unregistered adoption. The adopting family may have owned, or worked at a pharmacy on Baltimore street in in Baltimore Maryland, Mother’s name is Nannette Pledger, or Lapp.
