{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-345","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–345","heading":"","body":"(a) If, after termination of parental rights as to a child, there is an open guardianship case, a petition for adoption of the child may be filed only as provided in this Part IV of this subtitle.\n(b) (1) Any adult may petition a juvenile court for an adoption under this Part IV of this subtitle.\n(2) If a petitioner under this section is married, the petitioner’s spouse shall join in the petition unless the spouse:\n(i) is separated from the petitioner under a circumstance that gives the petitioner a ground for annulment or divorce; or\n(ii) is not competent to join in the petition.\n(c) (1) A petitioner under this section shall attach to a petition:\n(i) 1. all written consents required under § 5-350 of this subtitle; or\n2. if applicable:\nA. proof of guardianship or relinquishment of parental rights granted by an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction; and\nB. certification that the guardianship or relinquishment was granted in compliance with the jurisdiction’s laws;\n(ii) a copy of an agreement, if any, for postadoption contact; and\n(iii) a notice of filing that:\n1. states the date on which the petition was filed;\n2. identifies each governmental unit or person whose consent was filed with the petition;\n3. if applicable, states that a postadoption agreement was filed with the petition; and\n4. includes no identifying information that would be in violation of an agreement or consent.\n(2) In addition to a copy of an agreement for postadoption contact, a petitioner shall file the original agreement under seal.\n(d) If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of an order, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-345","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"7dbd542febc51bcc2c50f6f85962ae30ef44a86558e5e28ce7a8c0ba79fe48ff","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-342","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-346"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}