# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

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

#### Section 5-3A-19

(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 Sec. 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 Sec. 5-3A-42 of this subtitle; and

    (v) is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under Sec. 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 Sec. 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.

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