{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-20","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–3B–20","heading":"","body":"(a) This section does not apply to an adoption of an adult.\n(b) A court may enter an order for adoption only if:\n(1) (i) 1. each of the prospective adoptee’s living parents consents:\nA. in writing; or\nB. by failure to timely file notice of objection after being served with a show–cause order in accordance with this subtitle;\n2. an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction has granted a governmental unit or person other than a parent the power to consent to adoption, and the unit or person consents; or\n3. parental rights have been terminated in compliance with the laws of a state or other jurisdiction, as described in § 5–3B–04 of this subtitle; and\n(ii) if the prospective adoptee is at least 10 years old, the prospective adoptee consents; or\n(2) in accordance with § 5–3B–22 of this subtitle, the court orders adoption without consent otherwise required under this section.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-3B-20","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"56dc9ddd6bd1acae4da45ff6ea1d28a3875f76412d3fd79bd526982712c8ef9e","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-19","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-21"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}