# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 3. Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department

#### Section 5-313

(a) Except as provided in Sec. 5-331 of this subtitle, a petition for guardianship shall precede a petition for adoption under this subtitle.

(b) Only the individual who would be subject to guardianship or a local department may file a petition for guardianship under this Part II of this subtitle.

(c) A petition for guardianship of an individual shall be filed before the individual attains 18 years of age.

(d) A petitioner under this section shall attach to a petition:

  (1) all written consents for the guardianship that the petitioner has;

  (2) if applicable:

    (i) proof of guardianship or relinquishment of parental rights granted by an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction; and

    (ii) certification that the guardianship or relinquishment was granted in compliance with the jurisdiction's laws; and

  (3) a notice of filing that:

    (i) states the date on which the petition was filed;

    (ii) identifies each person whose consent was filed with the petition;

    (iii) states the obligation of a parent to give the juvenile court and local department notice of each change in the parent's address;

    (iv) has printed on it the website that the Department maintains under Sec. 2-302 of the Human Services Article; and

    (v) includes no identifying information that would be in violation of an agreement or consent.

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Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)