§ 5–3A-19
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-3A-19 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3A. Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption
§ 5–3A-19LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Consent of a parent may include a waiver of the right to notice of:
(i)
the filing of a petition under this subtitle; and
(ii)
further proceedings under this subtitle.
(2)
Consent to guardianship is not valid unless the consent:
(i)
is given after the child for whom guardianship is sought is born;
(ii)
is given in a language that the party understands;
(iii)
if given in a language other than English:
(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;
(iv)
contains an express notice of:
(1)
the right to revoke consent, at any time within 30 days after the person signs the consent, unless the revocation is barred under subsection (b)(2) of this section;
(2)
the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-3A-42 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 § 5-3A-42 of this subtitle; and
(v)
is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-3A-07(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 person may revoke consent to guardianship at any time within 30 days after the person signs the consent.
(2)
A parent may not revoke consent for guardianship of a child if:
(i)
in the preceding year, the parent has revoked consent for or filed a notice of objection to guardianship of the child; and
(ii)
the child is at least 30 days old and consent is given before a judge on the record.
(c)
If a petitioner becomes aware, before a court rules on a petition, that a condition of consent under § 5-3A-18(b) of this subtitle cannot be fulfilled, the petitioner promptly shall:
(1)
file notice with the court;
(2)
give notice to all of the other parties;
(3)
if consent was received from a governmental unit or person who is not a party, give notice to that unit or person; and
(4)
(i)
if the unit or person enters into a new consent, file the consent with the court; or
(ii)
if the unit or person fails to enter into a new consent, dismiss the petition.