Are there any special requirements for adoption in Maryland?

Yes, Maryland has some specific requirements to be aware of:

1. Maryland has designed reasonable requirements that most stepfamilies easily meet: 1.

2. Maryland requires proper notice to the other biological parent.

3. Maryland allows courts to waive home study requirements in stepparent adoption cases.

4. Maryland allows name changes as part of the adoption process.

Standard requirements also apply:

• 0 months Maryland residency (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-02)
• Background check for the adopting stepparent
• Child consent if age 10+ (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-18)
• Home study waived for stepparents (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3B-04)

We know all of Maryland's specific requirements and include everything you need in your document package. We've helped 519+ families in Maryland navigate these requirements successfully.