{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-4c-01","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Family Law § 5–4C–01","heading":"","body":"(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(b) “Administration” means the Social Services Administration of the Department.\n(c) “Adoptee” means an individual:\n(1) who was adopted in this State; or\n(2) who was placed for adoption by:\n(i) a child placement agency licensed in this State; or\n(ii) a local department.\n(d) “Director” means the Director of the Administration.\n(e) “Identifying information” means information that reveals the identity or location of an adoptee, the natural parents of an adoptee, or a natural sibling.\n(f) Repealed.\n(g) “Natural father” means a man who:\n(1) was married to the adoptee’s natural mother at the time of conception;\n(2) was married to the adoptee’s natural mother at the time of the adoptee’s birth;\n(3) was named as the father on the adoptee’s pre-adoption birth certificate, unless the man has signed a denial of paternity or his nonpaternity has been determined by a court;\n(4) was identified by the natural mother as the father of the adoptee, unless the man has signed a denial of paternity or his nonpaternity has been determined by a court;\n(5) has been adjudicated to be the father of the adoptee; or\n(6) has acknowledged himself orally or in writing to be the father of the adoptee.\n(h) “Natural sibling” means an individual who is at least 21 years old and shares 1 or both natural parents with an adoptee.\n(i) “Registry” means the Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry.","path":["Article - Family Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl\u0026section=5-4C-01","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:17Z","sha256":"92713b7467336356e818139f911b1e199ba60c80672bd2f5036455226fd05ec2","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-4b-12","next":"us-md/md.-code-family-law-5-4c-02"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}