§ 5–3A-15
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-3A-15 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3A. Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption
§ 5–3A-15LinkCopy Citation
(a)
On issuance of a show–cause order as to guardianship of a child, a petitioner shall serve the order on each of the child’s living parents who has not consented to the guardianship.
(b)
Service under this section shall be by:
(1)
personal service; or
(2)
certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested.
(c)
Service on a parent under this section shall be attempted at the parent’s last address known to the petitioner.
(d)
(1)
If a court is satisfied, by affidavit or testimony, that, after reasonable efforts in good faith, a petitioner could not identify a parent or could not effect service on a parent, the court shall order service through notice by publication as to that parent.
(2)
Notice under this subsection shall consist of substantially the following statement:
To: (Father’s name) To:�(Mother’s name) To:�Unknown parent
“You are hereby notified that a guardianship case has been filed in the circuit court for (county name), case no. (number). All persons who believe themselves to be parents of a (male or female) child born on (date of birth) in (city, state) to (mother’s and father’s names and dates of birth) shall file a written response. A copy of the show–cause order may be obtained from the clerk’s office at (address) and (telephone number). If you do not file a written objection by (deadline), you will have agreed to the permanent loss of your parental rights to this child.”
(3)
Service under this subsection shall be by:
(i)
publication at least once in one or more newspapers in general circulation in the county where the parent last resided or, if unknown, where the petition is filed; and
(ii)
posting for at least 30 days on a website of the Department.
(4)
The Department may charge a petitioner a reasonable fee to cover the cost of posting.