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 1,205,519 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
1096. WendyAndrzejewski : person is now a grandmother of 4 and is just wanting to know her biological background did DNA test and have close matches but don’t want to approach yet.
1097. Redracer1967 : I was adopted in Maryland in Baltimore. I believe the agency was Family and Children’s Welfare Society.
1098. Rdm_1989 : I’m searching for biological family on behalf of my husband. He was born 7-AUG-1989 in Garrett County (or possibly surrounding counties), Maryland. We believe he had a number of older siblings, including a set of twin sisters, and two brothers. We know very little information. We were told his biological father was in a fatal accident, throwing his biological mother into emergency labor. Ultimately, he and his siblings were all separated and adopted out. This all happened about 6 or 7 - AUG - 1989.
1099. Altarunner : Fort Meade George Thacker
1100. Altarunner : Born to Korean mother and caucasion father named Thacker in Ft Meade MD in 1971. Adopted within 18 months of birth. I’m told I had around 4 or 5 brothers at the time.
1101. FatherLee2017 : Names are Dustin Cole Chester, Dakota Cheyenne Chester. Both born in Maryland. Handled by Cecil county court system. Looking for a copy of the filed case documents. Lives in Elkton MD. With Rose Marie Hallet. Child’s birth mother was Rebecca damron.
1102. Smcintosh : I’m looking for my older sibling he is 43/44 years old. His birth mothers name is Susan McIntosh.
1103. Vercelley : Born in Baltimore City, John’s Hopkins Hospital Mother, Sandra Andrews
1104. HeyitsKierston : Hello, I am look for a brother that was put up for adoption when our mother was 15. He was born in Maryland in March 1985 and adopted by a black male and black/white mom. He is mixed as well, black and white. His birth name was Michael Anthony.
1105. Chantilli : My husband is searching for any biological relatives. He is looking for medical and genealogical information. He was born January 5, 1970 at 11:51pm, and adopted within five days of birth. He was born in Silver Springs, Montgomery County, Maryland.
1106. ComlyWhite2019 : My father was taken away and adopted back in 1942. For many years he knew very little about his biological family. He knew his father’s last name was White and he was taken away from his mother, because his biological father was never home or supporting him and his siblings. In the late 90’s his biological niece found him and showed us some of the family including her father which was adopted as well. As well as his mother Nellie E. Poush White, his half siblings, Beverly, Bill, and Jerry and his biological father Denver Thomas White. When I had the opportunity to talk to Denver, I asked him how many aunts and uncles I have. His answer was he was a truck driver that drove from coast o coast and he had a warm bed and cuddle buddy at every stop. So I am looking for my biological family that are the children or grandchildren of Denver Thomas White. If that names sounds like someone you know please, please contact me!
1107. AmyGreenberg68 : Born June 8th 1990 in Anne Arundel Hospital in Annapolis Maryland.
1108. Cheshell1 : Prince George’s Hospitol John A Palmore (father)
1109. Jimmyleemcgowan : My name is jimmy lee mcgowan I was born in Baltimore city John’s Hopkins hospital I’m looking for my brother and mother’s side of family her name is Deborah Lillian Sykes I was adopted at the age of three
1110. Cziraki408 : I’m looking for my twin cousins. Born Ashley and Kimberly sampson to parents Elizabeth and gene sampson. Unsure of the birth year‚ sometime between 1991-1992 in Dover Delaware.
