In this answer · 4 sections
Your question, explained
Yes, and this often makes the process simpler. When no father is listed on the birth certificate, the adoption in Maryland has fewer hurdles.
Scenario 1: Father's identity is truly unknown
- The court can proceed without identifying or notifying a father
- No consent or abandonment proceedings needed for an unknown father
- This is the simplest path
Scenario 2: You know who the father is, but he was never listed
- The court may require a good-faith effort to notify him
- If he cannot be located, service by publication satisfies the requirement
- If he never established paternity legally, his rights may be minimal
- If he has had no contact for 12+ months, abandonment applies
Scenario 3: The father is known but chose not to be listed
- Similar to Scenario 2 — his legal rights depend on whether he ever established paternity
- A father who never acknowledged paternity, never sought custody, and has been absent has very limited standing
In Maryland:
- Filed in Circuit Court
- Residency: 0 months required
- Timeline: 3-6 months
- Child consent: Age 10+ (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-18)
Indicate this on the questionnaire and we prepare all documents accordingly. Cost: $349. Call (855) 924-0450 with questions.
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
Published by Douglas Brown & the StepParent Adoption 360 team
Adoption document specialists · 25+ years of experience · 34,000+ families helped.
Page layout updated . Individual answers have different research histories. This is general information; court requirements and individual circumstances can differ. Document preparation service, not a law firm.
Get to know our team →