§ 5–306
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-306 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3. Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department
§ 5–306LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Unless a court excludes a man as the father of a child, a man is the father if:
(1)
the man was married to the child’s mother at the time of the child’s conception;
(2)
the man was married to the child’s mother at the time of the child’s birth;
(3)
the man is named as the father on the child’s birth certificate and has not signed a denial of paternity;
(4)
the child’s mother has named the man as the child’s father and the man has not signed a denial of paternity;
(5)
the man has been adjudicated to be the child’s father;
(6)
the man has acknowledged himself, orally or in writing, to be the child’s father and the mother agrees; or
(7)
on the basis of genetic testing, the man is indicated to be the child’s biological father.
(b)
(1)
A petitioner under Part II or Part III of this subtitle shall give a juvenile court notice that a man who is not named in the petition and has not been excluded as a father claims paternity.
(2)
After a request of a party or claimant and before ruling on a petition under Part II or Part III of this subtitle, a juvenile court shall hold a hearing on the issue of paternity.