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 1,205,520 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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Maryland
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Maryland Who Chose To Be Featured
1021. Tonyshea : My name is Tony Shea. I was born August 15, 1970 and adopted from St. Ann’s Infant Home in Hyattsville Maryland, which was run by the Catholic Church. I now have a seven year old son and I am looking to find my birth parents so we can all have a better sense of where I came from. I’m also interested in discovering if I have any half brothers or sisters out there.
1022. Kedari : I am attempting to find a relative of my wife, this is very important to her. The relative was Cherokee Indian and was adopted at birth. We know nothing more than her name at time of death which is Opal Miller-Neighbors. Any info is very appreciated.
1023. Kjonesw87412 : My sister and brother were both born in Baltimore City also known as Baltimore County or you can find a agency in the two places above to locate them both we were all together and had gotten separated when we all grew up and I have not seen them for more than a few years after birth but I would also love if you could probably look for our mother her name was Gretchen Jones
1024. TDFox : Born in Washington D.C. and mother may have stayed at the Florence Crittenton Home of Wash. D.C. adopted through Montgomery Co. Dept. of Welfare
1025. PatHunt71 : Trying to find information on father. Last name Johnson. Bio mom first name Ursula
1026. Queeneymd : Lucille Coffelt Winchester, VA
1027. Charlette4472M : I’m looking for my daughter & son .Melissa Dana Owens November 14,1988 .& Larry George Owens 3. His birthday is November 8,1998.
1028. KLeeAnderson : Seeking sister born to Betty Mae Wehmeier and Owen Philip "Pat" Duffy in either Baltimore, MD area or New York City. Was most likely a private adoption or black market baby situation.Betty’s brother was Major League Baseball pitcher Herman Wehmeier. Betty was also known in NY as Betty Hammann and was a Latin Quarter showgirl. I am Lee Anderson, born 12/7/64 in Baltimore, MD and I am allegedly three years younger than my sister.
1029. Tllockcuff : I am searching for my sibling, Carrie Marie Klingman. Born in Baltimore Maryland in November 1977.
1030. Mjbkate39 : I am trying to find my birth mother CAROL ANN SINES. I am also trying to locate my birth sisters from CAROL ANN SINES...On the only paper I have I was born in ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY on OCT 5TH to CAROL ANN SINES and BIRTH FATHER was listed by her to be LEE GARDINER of PENSACOLA FL
1031. 33Ahmedledesma : Hi I’m looking for a parents to Adopt me
1032. Lucyanntardif : Her name on the birth certificate is Ann Marie Connelly born 8/17/1970. At greater Baltimore center at 10:16am she is my half sister our mothers name in Ann Marie Connelly norm March 31 1954 I have the birth certificate.we have been looking for so long my mom passed away a few years ago and this was her only wish before we lost her was to find her.
1033. Barbbritt313 : Mother Betty Barnes, born Bethesda md at Suburban hospital
1034. Swarner8904 : Born in Georgetown university hospital and adopted through the Barker foundation adoption service
1035. Birchsp01 : I was born in Baltimore‚ MD on June 14th‚ 1965. I have spent a lifetime wondering who my birth parents are‚ if i have any siblings or other family. My parents told me that they were told that i was largely Italian. My mother and father were not married to each other. My father already had a wife and children. Only recently did my father tell me that my birth father was a bar tender at the time. I don’t know if that’s true or not. I have a profile in 23andme.com. I got a hit on a first cousin in Baltimore named Gloria Lewis‚ but i there is no response from her on that site. If anyone has any information‚ please contact me. That will be one of the happiest days of my life!!
