Articles A Complete Guide to Adoption in Maryland (2026)

Written by: Adoption.com Staff | Published on: May 26, 2026

A Complete Guide to Adoption in Maryland (2026)

Welcome to your complete guide to adoption in The Old Line State. Whether you’re an expectant mother exploring your options or a family hoping to grow, we’re here to support you with everything you need to know about adoption in Maryland.

Maryland’s adoption laws offer three clear paths to adoption and extra protections for everyone involved. The state also offers a generous time period to revoke adoption consent compared to many states.

We’ll walk you through the different ways to adopt, who is eligible to adopt, adoption consent laws, and the state’s home study process. We’ll also provide a list of licensed private adoption agencies and professionals in Maryland, explain how adoption from foster care works, and discuss rights and resources for birth parents.

Maryland Adoption Laws at a Glance

Here’s a quick look at the basics of adoption in Maryland.

Who Can Adopt?	People who are at least 21 years oldPeople who are married, single, divorced, or widowed.People of all sexual orientationsPeople who rent or ownPeople over 60 years old who have been assessed by the local Department of Social Services.People with sufficient income and financial stability to take care of the family. Private agencies may have additional requirements about age, income, and other factors.
Residency Requirements	No strict residency requirement for Maryland. The person must be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
Marital Status	Marital status is not a factor for adoption in Maryland.
Birth Mother Consent	Birth parents must wait until after the child is born to give consent for adoption. They may give consent in writing with a witness present or before a judge.
Revocation Period	Birth mothers who give consent to terminate parental rights have 30 calendar days to change their minds and revoke it.
Birth Father Rights	Birth father consent is required before the child can be adopted if he has legally established paternity. There is no formal putative father registry in Maryland. Unmarried birth fathers in Maryland can protect their paternity rights by filing an Affidavit of Parentage with the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.

Adoption laws are complex. This is a summary for informational purposes only. Please consult with a qualified Maryland adoption attorney for legal advice.

Paths to Adopting a Child in Maryland

Maryland offers three main ways to adopt a child. Each path has its own process, timeline, and requirements.

Private Infant Adoption

Private infant adoption is when the adoption is done through a licensed adoption agency or with help from an adoption attorney. This is probably the most well-known type of adoption, and it usually involves a newborn or young baby.

In these cases, an expectant mother chooses to make an adoption plan for her baby. Sometimes expectant parents and adoptive parents connect on their own and then hire an adoption attorney to handle the legal process. Other times, they choose to work with an agency who helps match the adoptive family to the expectant parent.

The adoptive parents will have to complete a home study, which includes interviews and background checks. Agencies may also ask them to create a family profile to show to expectant parents. The timeline for this type of adoption varies widely. Also, the expectant parents may request an open adoption, which allows them to maintain contact with the child.

Adopting from Foster Care

Adopting from foster care means welcoming a child who is in Maryland’s foster care system. These are children whose birth parents’ rights have been terminated by the state due to abuse, neglect, or other circumstances.

The foster care system is run by the Maryland Department of Human Services (MDHS). While their goal is to return all children to their birth families, this is not always possible. In these cases, the children become legally eligible for adoption.

The process usually takes less time than private infant adoption, and the state covers all costs. Maryland also provides support services and financial assistance for families who adopt children with special needs. Note that if you are approved as a foster parent in Maryland, you are automatically approved for adoption as well.

Children in foster care range in age from babies to teenagers. Many are school-aged children or sibling groups who need to be placed together.

Stepparent or Relative Adoption

Stepparent adoption is when you adopt your spouse’s child from a previous relationship. Relative adoption (called kinship adoption in Maryland) is when a family member, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or older sibling, adopts a child. This often happens when parents cannot care for their child and a family member steps in to provide a permanent home.

Both stepparent and relative adoptions are typically more straightforward and less costly than private adoption because the family relationships are already in place.

A Deeper Look at Maryland Adoption Laws

Here’s a more detailed explanation of what Maryland’s laws say about who can adopt, birth parent consent and revocation, and completing the home study.

Who is Eligible to Adopt in Maryland?

According to Maryland law, any adult may adopt. This means you may be married, single, divorced, widowed, or LGBTQ+. You may rent or own your home, and there is no maximum age, though if you are over 60, you’ll need to be assessed by a social worker.

Maryland law specifies that child placement must be in the best interest of the child. The judge will consider whether the placement serves the child’s interests in terms of safety, health, existing emotional ties, and potential developmental harm.

While Maryland’s adoption eligibility laws do not specify restrictions based on income, physical ability, or criminal background, the state requires a home study where these factors will be evaluated. Private adoption agencies may have additional requirements beyond state laws.

Birth Parent Consent in Maryland

Before a child can be placed for adoption, the birth parents must consent to terminate their parental rights. The Maryland consent process is less strict than many states, and gives a generous revocation period where the birth parents may change their minds.

Birth parents may give consent to terminate their parental rights any time after the child is born – there is no waiting period. Both parents with established legal rights must consent. The consent may be given in writing with a witness, or in front of a judge, and both birth parents are required to give consent.

Once consent has been given, the birth parents may change their mind within 30 days and revoke the consent. This period is much longer than what many other states allow.

Consent from both birth parents is required. If the birth father is unmarried and wants to be recognized in the consent process, he must establish paternity, usually by signing an affidavit of parentage with the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Unlike many states, Maryland does not have a putative father registry to track unmarried birth fathers.

The Home Study Process in Maryland

Before adopting, prospective parents must undergo a home study to make sure that their home and family are ready to welcome a child. In Maryland, this process usually involves collaborating with a social worker or agency representative.

The process involves criminal background checks on all family members over 18, interviews, and a home visit. During the home visit, the social worker or representative will make sure that you have ample space for the adopted child, and that there are no safety hazards or code violations. You’ll be required to submit references and other documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses. You’ll also need to show proof of income. You don’t need to be rich, but you must have enough financial stability to meet the basic needs of your family, including the adopted child, independent of any aid from the state.

Find Maryland Adoption Agencies and Professionals

If you’re interested in adoption in Maryland, an agency or professional can help guide you through the process. Here is a list of licensed statewide, national, and regional agencies to get started.

Note about the DC Metro Area: Many agencies listed above serve both Maryland and Washington DC. However, if you’re a Maryland resident, you’ll follow Maryland adoption laws and work within Maryland’s court system. Agencies licensed in multiple jurisdictions simply mean they can serve families in different areas, but your adoption will proceed under Maryland law.

Statewide and National Agencies Serving Maryland

MDHS – Manages foster care adoptions state-wide. If you’re interested in adopting from foster care, contact your local Department of Social Services for more information.
AdoptUSKids – National photo listing service connecting waiting children in foster care with adoptive families throughout Maryland.
Paths for Families – Licensed in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Offering infant adoption, foster care adoption, home studies, and post-adoption support.

Baltimore Area Agencies

Adoption Makes Family – Located in Cockeysville, this agency serves birth parents and adoptive families throughout Maryland with domestic infant adoption services.
Catholic Charities of Baltimore – Offers home-studies and post-placement services. However, the organization no longer provides domestic adoption services.

Washington DC Metro Area (Maryland Suburbs)

The following agencies are located in Maryland’s DC metro suburbs (Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties) and are licensed to serve Maryland families:

Cradle of Hope Adoption Center – Nonprofit, Hague-accredited agency in Silver Spring founded by adoptive parents. The agency is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and DC, and offers domestic and international adoption programs.
Barker Adoption Foundation – Founded in 1945, this nonprofit agency in Bethesda, provides services for domestic infant adoption, international adoption, and older child adoption from foster care.
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area – Laurel-based agency offering adoption services.

Maryland Adoption Attorneys

An adoption attorney can help guide you through the complex legal process of adoption so that you have more time to plan for your new family. To find an attorney in Maryland, start with the Maryland directory from the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

Adopting from Foster Care in Maryland

Adopting from foster care in Maryland offers a way to grow your family, while also providing a much-needed, loving home for some of the state’s most vulnerable children. As of 2024, there were 3,595 children in Maryland’s foster care system, with 184 eligible for adoption. Many children waiting for adoption are older children, sibling groups who need to stay together, or children with special needs.

MDHS oversees child welfare and the foster care system across the state. While they place priority on reuniting children with family, or placing them with relatives, it’s not always possible. In these cases, the children become eligible for adoption.

To adopt from foster care in Maryland, you must be at least 21 years old and a legal resident of the U.S. You’ll also have to undergo a home study and participate in pre-service training. Priority is often given to the foster parents who have already developed a bond with the children. Parents approved for foster care in Maryland are automatically approved for adoption as well. Adopting from foster care is usually faster than private infant adoption because parental rights have already been terminated.

Maryland pays the costs of adopting from foster care and offers adoption assistance to help cover costs of the child’s care. This assistance can include a monthly subsidy, medical coverage, and support services. Maryland also provides education benefits for children adopted from foster care, including tuition waivers at Maryland public colleges and universities for children adopted at age 13 or older.

If you’re thinking about adopting from foster care in Maryland, contact your local Department of Social Services office to get more information today.

Resources for Expectant Parents in Maryland

Choosing to make an adoption plan is a deeply personal decision that isn’t always easy. But remember, you’re not alone. You have rights, and you have options, and Maryland offers a number of resources to help guide you.

If you decide to choose adoption, you have the right to control every part of the process. You choose the adoptive family, as well as whether you want an open adoption. Open adoptions allow you to stay in touch with the child at a level you are comfortable with. This could mean letters and messages, phone calls, or visits.

Maryland law allows adoptive parents to help with certain pregnancy-related expenses. Remember, these are not payments in exchange for the child, and they do not obligate you to go through with the adoption. To find out more about what expenses are allowed, speak to a Maryland adoption attorney.

Maryland has especially generous consent laws for expectant mothers. You may consent to the adoption only after the child has been born. Consent can be given in writing with a witness or in front of a judge. Before you sign, you have the right to receive counseling and legal guidance about what adoption means. Once you sign the consent to terminate parental rights, you can change your mind and revoke the termination within 30 days. This revocation period is longer than what many other states allow, giving you time to be certain about your decision.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are free, unbiased counseling services to explore your options and find support through the process:

Maryland Department of Health – Pregnancy Options Counseling – General pregnancy support and options counseling through Maryland Family Planning Program clinics statewide.
Maryland Pregnancy Help Line – Call 1-800-456-8900 for medical assistance and information.
Barker Adoption Foundation – 24/7 Crisis Pregnancy Hotline: 1-888-731-6601 or Text: 240-600-1106.
Cradle of Hope Adoption Center – Birth mothers can call/text 301-905-9999.
Paths for Families – Call or text: 800-439-0233 (Counseling also available in Spanish)