# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 3A. Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption

#### Section 5-3A-06

(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.

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