Adopt a Child in Maryland

Our staff is especially knowledgeable about the adoption laws of Maryland, having successfully completed the adoption of more than 1,000 Maryland children. Dawn Musgrave, Adoptions Together’s legal counsel, has served on the Governor’s Commission on Adoption, as a consultant to the Maryland Foster Care Court Improvement Project, and as Chair of the Maryland Coalition for Adoption.

Overview of Maryland Adoption Law

The Maryland adoption law establishes three separate paths for a child to be adopted: adoption with a county department of social services, adoption with a private licensed adoption agency and private adoption with attorneys. Adoptions Together is a licensed, nonprofit, private child placement agency in Maryland, so we follow the law and procedures relating to adoption from a private licensed adoption agency.

Two legal proceedings are required to complete an adoption in this way. In the first proceeding, the child’s parents agree to the termination of their parental rights and the appointment of Adoptions Together to serve as their child’s legal guardian. In the second proceeding, Adoptions Together, acting as the child’s guardian, gives its consent to the child’s adoption by the adoptive parents.