Law Offices of Frank B. Cahn, P.A.

This is a difficult question.  Maryland law requires either the consent of the biological parents or notification to the biological parents that an adoption is taking place.  In cases where a parent must be notified, how long it takes to complete the adoption will depend partly upon how long it takes to locate and notify the parent.  In some cases, a Judge may require publication of an announcement in a newspaper before agreeing to proceed with the adoption. 

Maryland law requires a hearing to be held in every adoption case.  Therefore, how long it takes to complete the adoption also depends partly upon the Court’s schedule.


Notifying the biological parents

In cases where a parent does not sign a written consent, the law requires that the parent be notified of the adoption even though, in most cases, the parent does not object to the adoption.  If the adoptive parents do not know the 
whereabouts of a biological parent, the Court requires them to take certain steps to try to locate him or her.  For example, it may be necessary to contact the post office to see if the parent left a forwarding address or to check with the Motor 
Vehicle Administration to see whether they have any relevant information.  Also, the Court would expect an adoptive parent to attempt to contact a biological parent through an employer, friend or relative, if known.  Our office will assist you with these efforts.

If the biological parent cannot be located after reasonable efforts, the adoptive parent must sign an affidavit outlining the efforts that have been made.  In most cases, a Judge will then permit the matter to proceed.


Other Requirements

Required documentation for an adoption varies.  However, in all cases the Court will need copies of the birth certificates for the children to be adopted, a marriage license if the adoptive parents are married, copies of income tax returns for the adoptive parents and a statement from a physician about the 
health of the children to be adopted and the adoptive parents.

What kind of results can I expect?

Our office has assisted hundreds of clients in successful 
adoption cases.  Although the process is often tedious, almost all clients find the results highly gratifying.  After all, it’s an exciting thing to be creating a new family!

Call 410-358-4338 today for your free consultation!

Convenient to Owings Mills, Pikesville, Randallstown, Reisterstown, Security, Towson, Windsor Mill, and Woodlawn.