How old do you have to be to adopt in Maryland?

In Maryland, any adult may petition a court to adopt, so you generally need to be at least 18. The adoption statute, Md. Code, Fam. Law § 5-3B-13(b)(1), says "any adult may petition a court for adoption." It does not list a separate numeric minimum age. If you are close to 18 or have a question about how the court defines "adult," the Circuit Court clerk in your county can confirm it.

What this means for stepparents. If you are an adult married to a child's parent, you can ask the Circuit Court to approve your stepparent adoption. Maryland has 24 counties, and your petition is filed in the Circuit Court. Venue is covered by Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 6-203(e).

Age gap between you and the child. Maryland's adoption statute does not state an age-gap requirement that we can point you to. If your situation involves a small age difference, such as adopting an older stepchild, ask the Circuit Court clerk or an attorney how the court will view it.

The child's age matters too. Your age is only part of the picture. Under Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3B-20(b)(1)(ii), the child's own consent comes into play at age 10. Parental consent is not required when the person being adopted is an adult.

Residency. Maryland sets no minimum residency period for you before you file. Venue rules decide which county's Circuit Court is the right one. The clerk can tell you which county applies to your family.

Home study. A home study is not automatically waived. The relevant section is Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3B-16. Whether one is ordered in your case is something the Circuit Court clerk can explain. For an adult adoptee, the court orders an investigation only for good cause shown.

Adopting an adult. An adult may also be adopted in Maryland. Adult adoptions tend to move faster, typically 4-8 weeks, while stepparent adoptions of a minor child typically take 3-6 months.

Cost. Court filing fees in Maryland typically run $200-$500.