§ 5–3A-06
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-3A-06 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3A. Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption
§ 5–3A-06LinkCopy 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 this subtitle shall give a 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 for guardianship or adoption under this subtitle, a court shall hold a hearing on the issue of paternity.