How do I know if I'm eligible for stepparent adoption in Maryland?

You are likely eligible if you meet these basic requirements for Maryland:

Checklist:

• [ ] You are legally married to the child's biological parent
• [ ] You have lived in Maryland for 0+ months (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-02)
• [ ] You are at least 18 years old (the adopting parent)
• [ ] You can pass a background check (no convictions of crimes against children)
• [ ] The other biological parent either:

- Will sign consent, OR

- Has had no meaningful contact with the child for 12+ months (abandonment), OR

- Is deceased (with death certificate), OR

- Has already had parental rights terminated by a prior court order

You are still eligible even if:

• You have a minor criminal record (non-child-related)
• You are not a U.S. citizen (legal residency is sufficient)
• You recently married (no waiting period after marriage)
• The child was born in another country
• The biological parent lives in another state or country
• You are in a same-sex marriage

Quick eligibility check:

Call (855) 924-0450 and we can tell you in a few minutes whether you qualify. Or complete the questionnaire at stepparentadoption360.com/portal/register — we review every submission and contact you if there are any eligibility concerns.