Maryland Adoptions
Maryland's Department of Human Resources provides administrative oversight for the state's adoption laws. The aim of the rules and regulations is to ensure that children who are legally and permanently removed from their biological parents are provided with a safe and loving home to thrive in. Mature married and single persons living in the state are eligible to adopt a child.
Home Study
Maryland residents who wish to adopt a child must be at least 21 years old. They must also meet with a social worker from the Department of Human Resources and attend group meetings along with other parents who wish to adopt children. Questions such as why they wish to adopt and how the entire family feels about adoption are addressed during these mandatory meetings. In addition, information on parenting issues is provided.
Information on the Child
The child's medical and family history as well as her growth and development are shared with mature adults who wish to adopt a child. If the prospective parent still wants to move forward with the adoption after they have met with the social worker and learned background information on the child, a meeting will be arranged so they can observe the child while she interacts with other children or the social worker who is assigned to her case. The child will not be made aware of the potential parents' presence. After this initial observation meeting, the parents can meet the child directly and even allow her to stay overnight in their home so that they can be absolutely sure they wish to go through with the adoption. This review process generally takes between 90 to 120 days. Mature adults can also adopt a child through a private adoption agency. Agencies are required to be licensed by Maryland's Social Services Administration. Private agencies must also conduct home study and background checks on prospective adoptive parents.
Background Checks
Parents who wish to adopt a child are required to be fingerprinted so that a background investigation can be conducted on them. Each member of their household is also required to be fingerprinted. State and federal criminal background checks are conducted.
Adopting Through Foster Care
Foster care parents may apply to adopt children that they care for in their homes. Foster parents must be at least 21 years of age. Apartment renters, home owners and single or married Maryland residents are eligible to become foster parents. Every member in the potential foster parent's household is required to be fingerprinted so that they can undergo a background check. In addition, foster parents are not permitted to use physical punishment as a form of discipline.
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