Maryland requires 0 months of state residency before you can file a stepparent adoption petition (Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-02). This means you (or your spouse) must have lived in Maryland for at least 0 months before filing. If you recently moved to Maryland, you may need to wait until you meet this requirement. The residency clock starts from when you established your home in the state — it doesn't have to be from the date you officially changed your driver's license.
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
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