Can I adopt my stepchild if the biological father lives in another country and we live in Maryland?

Yes, the adoption can proceed in Maryland regardless of where the biological father lives. You file where you and the child reside, not where the other parent is.

How service of process works internationally:

• If you know his address: Service may need to follow the Hague Service Convention (if his country is a member) or other international protocols
• If he is cooperative: He can sign consent at a U.S. embassy or consulate in his country — the consent must be properly authenticated
• If his location is unknown: You can serve by publication in Maryland, which satisfies the legal notice requirement
• If he has abandoned the child: After 12+ months of no meaningful contact (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-35), abandonment grounds apply regardless of where he lives

Key points for Maryland:

• Filed in your local Circuit Court
• You must meet the 0-month residency requirement
• International service may add 4–8 weeks to the timeline
• The adoption is governed by Maryland law, not foreign law

Reality: In most cases where the father lives abroad and has had no contact with the child, the adoption proceeds smoothly based on abandonment. Living in another country does not excuse a parent from maintaining a relationship with their child.

Cost: $349 + court fees | Call (855) 924-0450 for international scenarios.