§ 5–339
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-339 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3. Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department
§ 5–339LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Consent of a parent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle may include:
(i)
a provision barring a petitioner from learning identifying information about the parent; and
(ii)
a waiver of the right to notice of further proceedings under this Part III of this subtitle.
(2)
Consent to adoption entered into before a judge on the record shall include a waiver of the revocation period.
(3)
Consent of a party to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle is not valid unless:
(i)
the consent is given in a language that the party understands;
(ii)
if given in a language other than English, the consent:
(1)
is given before a judge on the record; or
(2)
is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;
(iii)
the consent names the child;
(iv)
the consent contains enough information to identify the prospective adoptive parent;
(v)
the party has received written notice or on–the–record notice of:
(1)
the revocation provisions in subsections (a)(2) and (b)(1) of this section;
(2)
the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5–359 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, parents, and siblings under Subtitle 4B of this title; and
(3)
the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5–359 of this subtitle; and
(vi)
the consent is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5–307(a) of this subtitle, stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability consents knowingly and voluntarily.
(b)
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a parent may revoke consent to adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time within the later of:
(i)
30 days after the parent signs the consent; or
(ii)
30 days after the adoption petition is filed.
(2)
Consent to adoption under subsection (a)(2) of this section is irrevocable.
(c)
A local department may revoke consent to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.
(d)
A child may revoke consent or object to an adoption under this Part III of this subtitle at any time before a juvenile court enters an order of adoption under this Part III of this subtitle.