In this answer · 2 sections
Yes, and this makes the process even simpler. If the biological parent's rights were already terminated by a prior court order (from a previous case — such as dependency, abuse/neglect, or a prior adoption attempt), you do not need to go through the consent or abandonment process again.
What's different:
- No consent form needed
- No service of process on the biological parent
- No abandonment affidavit
- The biological parent has no standing to contest
What you DO need:
- A certified copy of the termination order from the prior court case
- The standard Petition for Adoption filed in Circuit Court
- Background check for you (the adopting stepparent)
- Child consent if age 10+ (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-18)
- Home study waived for stepparents in Maryland
Timeline: Often faster than the typical 3-6 months because there is no waiting for service or response
Cost: Same $349 document preparation fee
Indicate the prior termination on the questionnaire and include the court case number if you have it. We prepare everything accordingly.
Start at stepparentadoption360.com/portal/register or call (855) 924-0450.
Stepparent adoption in Maryland at a glance
- Court
- Circuit Court
- Residency before filing
- No minimum period
- Typical timeline
- 3-6 months
- Court filing fee
- $200-$500
- Child must consent at age
- 10
- Home study
- May be required
- Maryland families we've helped
- 519
Adoption document specialists · 25+ years of experience · 34,000+ families helped.
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