Maryland Relinquishment, Consent, Revocation laws

Who Must Consent:

• The natural mother and father.
  
• If parental rights have been terminated, the head of the agency that has been awarded guardianship.
  
  

Consent of Adoptee:

A child 10 years or older must consent to the adoption.

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When Parental Consent is Not Needed:

• Child has been out of parent's custody for 1 year and has significant attachment to petitioner.
  
• Parent has failed to contact or support child.
  
• Parent has been convicted of child abuse or a crime of violence against a child.
  

When Relinquishment Can Be Signed:

Not addressed in statutes reviewed.

How Relinquishment Must Be Signed:

• Consent must contain express notice of right to revoke.
  
• A minor parent's consent is valid only when accompanied by an affidavit from counsel stating that consent is given knowingly and willingly.
  

Time for Revocation:

• Consent may be revoked within 30 days.
  
• Individual to be adopted may revoke consent at any time before a decree is entered.
  

Adapted from materials prepared by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.