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
1051. Emilymae29 : I would love to find my older half-brother! Our father and your mother were both from Michigan and I think you were born in the late 70s / early 80s. I think your adoption took place in the southeastern US, and your moms name may have started with the letter V.
1052. WhitneyFamily : Searching for biological sibling, brother, born in Dyersburg, TN. Birth mothers maiden name Whitney.
1053. Jrandyc : Born June 17, 1968 in Silver Spring, MD. Mother/father not married.
1054. Robinbence : I am Robin and am looking for two siblings given up for adoption in October 1962. In Baltimore County. Cynthia Lynn Moody DOB January 1961 and Charles Brant Moody DOB January 1962. I came along the next year and was not placed for adoption. I looked into their adoption about 25 years ago and was told, after a caseworker looked into their file, that they still live in the same surrounding area but I never was placed in touch with them. The caseworker did tell me she was able to talk to their mother and she was made aware that they have a younger sibling. Nothing ever came to fruition.
1055. LaceyMichelle : Feel free to contact me even if none of this makes a good match for you because it’s hard to tell how accurate the information is. I seem to be entirely white/caucasian. I was told my biological ancestors are Irish and German. I am not sure if this is accurate, but records say I weighed a whopping 10 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. My first and middle names were "Lacey Michelle" . All of this could be incorrect because these are the records and the information given to my mother and father when they adopted me. The birth certificate could be incorrect and even my date of birth could be incorrect. I was told my biological father was a construction worker but was not in the picture. I think my biological mother was 19 but am not sure. I thought I saw records that said I was born in Cheverly, Maryland but my mother thinks it was Prince Frederick. My biological grandfather was at least at some point reportedly in an institution. My biological mother may have been trying to go to school, maybe computer school. My biological mother tried to keep me for 2 to 4 months but could not afford to do so. I was adopted through the state. I think, but am not sure, my biological mother asked I be placed with a religious family. I have an allergy to penicillin. I looked once in the past and did not find anything. Now I have a daughter of my own, born when I was 37, who is 10 now. I adore my parents but would love to know about my biological family for her sake as much as mine. Any of them. Thank you for not terminating, for trying hard, and for surrendering me to a wonderful loving family when you coudn’t manage. I was raised a Roman Catholic, by a faithful family. If it is true that you asked I be placed with a religious family, I was. I am grateful for that, too.
1056. Jkowalski1 : My father John Patrick Kowalski was born 10/14/1963. He was adopted by John and Bernice Kowalski. His biological birth mother or father comes from the Warnick or Leatherman bloodline
1057. PatriciaWhedbee73 : I was born Patricia?. I was adopted from St. Vincent De Paul in Baltimore MD. For health reasons I desire to learn and meet my family. With Regards, Michelle L. Whedbee- Gill
1058. Arideout : Mothers name is Crystal Rideout. Likely the adoption(s) took place in the midwest/southeastern U.S.. We would be half siblings. I’m the oldest (1997).
1059. Joy0221 : Born in Baltimore Maryland at Baltimore General
1060. Shantira : I was told June but I’m not sure if that’s true. His birth name was Delvonte Foote.
1061. EmmyO : Hi, I am looking for birth family. I was born in Takoma Park Mayland in 1975 at the Adventist hospital I believe. My adopted parents soon moved to Colorado and here I am. It was a closed adoption done though the LDS adoption agency. I received my nonidentifying information at 19 where I learned my BM was the only LDS person in her family. So very likely she could not be now. I very much would like to know more. I am musical and artistic. There are a few more things I know about her but will keep those private until we speak. Blessings, Emily
1062. Raffelr : I was born in Siani Hospital in Baltimore, MD. My father was Dr. William Raffel, who may have known my birth parents. DNA tests indicate that my birth mother may have been Helene Burnett, a single woman who never married and worked for the DIA in Washington, DC for many years. The name on my birth certificate is "baby boy Liebolt".
1063. Dreman677 : Possibly born at Fort Meade, Anne Arundel County, Maryland to a US military father and German mother
1064. Taurus1773 : My birth name was Scott Murphy. Born in Aurora, Colorado.
1065. MM179898 : My father was born to a 16/17 year old red headed woman and adopted through the LDS church in Maryland in 1978. He was then flown over seas to my grand parents‚ whom lived on an army base‚ in The Netherlands. Nothing was known of the father‚ other than he was around age 24 at the time of birth. I’m just curious to find my biological grandparents/family.
