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 1,205,524 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
1321. Blmiller : I was born in Baltimore, MD and transferred to St Vincent’s Infant Home. The adoption was through Catholic Charities. I was given the name Theresa. I joined my adoptive parents on Dec 16, 1955. My biological mother was 19, unmarried, Irish heritage, Catholic faith, 5’ 71/2”, med brown hair, hazel eyes, fair complexion, high school grad w/1yr college, played piano and could have been from out of state maybe PA. My birth father was 19, single, 5’ 10”, 160lbs, Catholic faith, Irish heritage, brown eyes, med complexion, attended college for 6 months and was in the military and could have been from out of state.
1322. SeekingF : I am looking for my mothers side of the family. She was adopted to an older couple that lived in Baltimore‚ Md. Her birth name was believed to be Racheal‚ Rachael‚ or Rachel Funderburk. Her adoption was filed in year 1977.
1323. Alexajones : Meagan Douglass is biological mothers name Hospital might have been university of Maryland Was taking away from mother and put into foster care at 1 years of age
1324. DScott302 : My name is Domineque Scott and I am looking for my birth mother. I was born at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Towson, Maryland. My birth mom’s name is Brenda Ann Foster. She lived at 1611 Lyle Court Baltimore, DE 21234 (005). My adoption agency was: Baltimore County Department of social services. Case number: 91 A 188 Docket: 25 Folio: 288 Circuit Court for Baltimore County ordered November 1st 1991 by Suzanne Mensh. Agency Home Approval September 1, 1991, Agency Designee: Camille B. Wheeler. Baltimore County Department of Social Services. Social wirkwr: Berta Bailey.
1325. WNTWRTH : My son was born while I was in Hospital Corpsman School in Great Lakes Il, I was unaware of my sons birth until I received pictures and a letter from Catholic Charities. The letter explained that the mother had declared the father "unknown" on the birth certificate in order to place the baby boy (named Ryan Michael Fundanish) with CC to prevent myself nor my parents from intervening with the adoption. My son was born in Carroll County Maryland at Carroll County General Hospital. I still have the photos and never gave up hope of finding him. My son has a rich history and I know all to well what it is like to not know ones health history, to not know the "why’s".
1326. Kellyroberts : Went on ancestry and have close relatives named liberto and brown
1327. Nancykeefer3 : Hello! My name is Nancy and when I had a baby boy around 1/9/1997 at GBMC my last name was Hagert. Your parents are named Dave and Tracy W. and you graduated from North Carroll High School. I am here to answer any questions you may have for me.
1328. JPS66 : Adopted Person Birth City: Takoma Park Maryland USA Hospital: 7th Day Adventist Hospital
1329. SteveYoder : Was told birth name was Jeffery Thames. Not sure about spelling of name. My sister and I were both adopted together. Was also told I may have been born at a Washington Adventist Hospital and that the adoption took place in Frederick Maryland.
1330. Tgwallace : father: tyrone hunt baltimore city hospital mother: danielle hall
1331. Redrebeckka3 : I’m looking for my biological father. I know he was given up for adoption not sure when just found out who his biological parents were but unfortunately they’ve both past away n they gave him up
1332. Manthaone : I was born in Washington D. C. or possible SIlver spring at the Florence Crittendon home on February 25, 1969 and placed into adoption through the Episcopalian Dioceses in Maryland.
1333. Maryhenthorn : My birth cert says Washington DC, the adoption was done thru Catholic Charities I think. I came from St Anne’s home for infants and unwed mother’s somewhere in PG County Maryland. My birth name might have been Kathleen.
1334. Mrmrcm : Frederick memorial hospital
1335. Donpropst60 : Looking for my half brother. His birth name was Dennis Wayne Beaver. My mom stayed at Family Welfare and Henry Watson Children’s Aid Society of Baltimore Inc., in Baltimore, MD until she gave birth.
