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.
Register NowRECENT MEMBERS IN Maryland
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A Few of Our Members Currently Searching Within Maryland Who Chose To Be Featured
1411. Suemgw : I just want my information out there In case the daughter I gave up is looking for me. I used Bethany Adoption Agency
1412. Kymiara : I’m looking for parents and siblings... I have very little information closed adoption... im a Black female
1413. Bebop7025 : Mary Irene Cox. Her moms name was Mary Yvonne Cox. Her fathers name was Louis Thomas Cox Jr
1414. Feinstein : Searching for a white female born 8/6/1965 at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore City, Maryland. Adopted right at birth. This adoption was private and facilitated through Jewish Family Children Services. Birth Doctor was Leon Greenwald.
1415. PatrickJM : I was a adopted at 8 months old. I was born in baltimore city, maryland.
1416. Tfrawls14 : We are looking for our uncle who no one knew about. He is the eldest of 7 and my Grandma who just passed away told us on her death bed. She had him in her early teens. She gave him up for adoption and the little information we have is that he was adopted by a Bethesda Maryland Police officer. Her name was Barbara we are unsure of the father. The man would now be in his 60s possibly 70s. We are unsure if he was ever told he was adopted.
1417. LouisJWhipp : My brother was adopted out at the age of one or less. I would love to find him. Name at birth may have been Daniel Louis James Whipp
1418. Wonder_woman : I am searching for information on my biological father, Larry Ellis Bowen, DOB 01/28/1951. He passed away on 09/02/2012 and was an orphan when he was a baby. Through DNA I was able to find his birth mother who passed away in 2019, but never have found any information on his birth father (my paternal grandfather.) Bowen is not my paternal grandfather’s sir name and he ethnicity is Japanese. My goal is to find who is my paternal grandfather.
1419. FindingTommy : I am trying to located my adopted brother. He was born Tommy Lee Buchannon (sp?) and was adopted by a minister and his wife who lived in Maryland. Birth father- Luther A Bailey. birth mom’s name believed to be RoseMary Buchannon. I think he was born between 1975 - 1979
1420. Paulljackson : Birth name - Drake Carter
1421. Evaughn : Looking for African American, possibly Jamaican siblings. I am 1/6 children. I was adopted in Baltimore City, MD at Family and Children Services (I think).
1422. ChristopherDAnna : Hello, I’m hopefully looking for my older sister, whom I have never met. She was born on Father’s day June 18th 1970, at Hartford Memorial Hospital.
1423. LindaJewell : I was adopted at birth in Baltimore through a private attorney. My mother’s name was Dorothy and she was around 17. She was later married and had at least three children - all sons.
1424. Mahasin : My adoption took place at Bethany Christian Services, Inc. 114 Annapolis Street, Annapolis, MD. 21401. Bethany Christian Services is now closed. The LCSW, Director for my adoption was Phyllis A. Lee. I was placed in my adoption home on 3-23-1988 and was named Robert Allen III My adoptive mom was told that when ever I desired to find my birth mother all I had to do was contact Bethany Christian Services and of course they are no longer in existence. My birth mother was born June 13, 1959 and at the time had a set of twins which were 3 years old at the time of my birth. My birth mothers ethnicity is American/Guyanese and my birth father is Jamaican The twins are male and female and were in the day care where my birth mother worked I hope this information helped.
1425. Babygirl093081 : I was put up for adoption thru Catholic Charities. I was born in Virginia but my adoption was completed in Maryland.
