{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-21","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–3B–21","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) Consent of a parent may include a waiver of rights to notice of:\n(i) the filing of a petition under this subtitle; and\n(ii) further proceedings under this subtitle.\n(2) Consent to adoption under this subtitle is not valid unless the consent:\n(i) is given after the prospective adoptee is born;\n(ii) is given in a language that the party understands;\n(iii) if given in a language other than English:\n1. is given before a judge on the record; or\n2. is accompanied by the affidavit of a translator stating that the translation of the document of consent is accurate;\n(iv) contains an express notice of:\n1. the right to revoke consent, at any time within 30 days after the consent is signed;\n2. the search rights of adoptees and parents under § 5-3B-29 of this subtitle and the search rights of adoptees, siblings, and parents under Subtitle 4B of this title; and\n3. the right to file a disclosure veto under § 5-3B-29 of this subtitle;\n(v) except as to an adoption by a spouse of the prospective adoptee’s parent or a relative of the prospective adoptee, states that the parent has been advised of the parent’s rights to:\n1. have independent counsel; and\n2. receive adoption counseling and guidance;\n(vi) states whether the parent chose to have or not have counsel or counseling; and\n(vii) is accompanied by an affidavit of counsel appointed under § 5-3B-06 of this subtitle stating that a parent who is a minor or has a disability gives consent knowingly and voluntarily.\n(b) (1) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a parent may revoke consent at any time within 30 days after the parent signs the consent.\n(ii) A parent may not revoke consent for adoption of a prospective adoptee if:\n1. in the preceding year, the parent has revoked consent for or filed a notice of objection to adoption of the prospective adoptee; and\n2. the child is at least 30 days old and consent is given before a judge on the record.\n(2) A prospective adoptee may revoke consent at any time before a court enters an order of adoption under this subtitle.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-3B-21","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"6f3ff04f606a32f6b0b41ef8e9781fbcb4df02a4df1e6993b83b699622af5fcd","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-20","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-3b-22"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}