How to Adopt a Baby in Maryland: A Comprehensive Guide

Adopting a child is a life-changing and deeply fulfilling experience for many families.

For those in Maryland, understanding the state’s adoption laws, procedures, and available resources is crucial. While the adoption process can seem overwhelming, knowing the key steps—from choosing an adoption agency to navigating the legal system and finalizing the adoption—can make all the difference.

This guide is here to provide you with the clarity and support you need to confidently move forward. As you explore your options, you’ll gain the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure your journey to parenthood is as smooth and informed as possible.

Begin Your Adoption Journey with American Adoptions Today – We’re Here to Support You Every Step of the Way.

Why Choose an Adoption Agency in Maryland?

Choosing the right adoption agency is the first step in ensuring a smooth and successful adoption process. Working with a licensed, reputable agency ensures all legal requirements are met and that the process remains ethical, efficient, and well-supported. Agencies play a vital role—from facilitating matches and managing wait times to guiding families through legal compliance, emotional preparedness, and post-placement care.

Why Work with an Adoption Agency?

• Legal and Emotional Support: Licensed agencies help navigate Maryland’s adoption laws and provide emotional guidance throughout the process.
• Comprehensive Services: Agencies offer everything from home studies and counseling to legal representation and ongoing support.
• Efficient Matching and Shorter Wait Times: With access to a broad network of birth parents, agencies can often facilitate quicker and more appropriate matches.
• Preparation and Post-Placement Care: Agencies ensure adoptive families are ready to adopt and supported after placement.

Learn more about adoption agencies in Maryland to find a professional partner who can support your journey from start to finish.

Types of Adoption in Maryland

Maryland offers three primary paths to adoption: private adoption, foster care adoption, and international adoption. Each type has different legal requirements, costs, and timelines, so it’s important to understand the differences before moving forward.

Private Adoption Agencies in Maryland

Private adoption allows hopeful parents to adopt an infant through a licensed agency, often involving a direct match with a birth mother who has chosen adoption for her child. These adoptions may take place within Maryland or across state lines, depending on where the birth parents and adoptive family reside.

In a private adoption, the agency manages all aspects of the process. This includes legal documentation, background checks, counseling for both birth and adoptive parents, and the development of adoptive family profiles. The structure provided by a licensed agency helps ensure the adoption is legally compliant and emotionally supported from start to finish.

Compared to independent adoption, private adoption through an agency typically results in shorter and more predictable wait times. This is due to the agency’s broader outreach efforts and established systems for matching families with birth parents, creating a more efficient and guided path to adoption.

Top Private Adoption Agencies in Maryland:

1. American Adoptions (National, serving Maryland) – Full-service national agency offering extensive matching resources, legal services, and financial protection.
2. Paths for Families (Silver Spring, MD) – Regional agency providing personalized adoption planning and counseling support.
3. The Barker Adoption Foundation (Bethesda, MD) – Specializes in domestic and open adoption, with emphasis on long-term family support.

Foster Care Adoption Agencies in Maryland

Foster care adoption in Maryland involves adopting a child who is currently part of the state’s foster care system. These children may have experienced abuse, neglect, or other challenges that led to their removal from their biological families. The process requires prospective parents to complete state-mandated training and undergo a home study to ensure they are prepared to meet the unique needs of children in foster care.

It’s important to understand that reunification with the child’s biological family is often the initial goal of foster care. Adoption becomes an option only after reunification is no longer considered viable. As a result, families pursuing foster care adoption must be prepared for uncertainty and remain open to supporting the child’s best long-term outcome.

Foster care adoption can be a meaningful and affordable way to grow a family. It often involves minimal costs, and the state may provide financial assistance or post-adoption services to support families after placement.

Top Foster Care Adoption Agencies in Maryland:

• Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) (Statewide): The primary agency responsible for foster care placement and adoption. DHS supports families through every step of the process, from orientation to finalization.
• The Children’s Home (Baltimore, MD): A residential and community-based provider offering foster care and adoption services, with an emphasis on long-term placement and stability.
• The Family Partnership (Silver Spring, MD): Provides foster care licensing and adoption services, along with training and support tailored to families navigating the foster care system.

International Adoption Agencies in Maryland

International adoption involves adopting a child from a country outside the United States. This process is more complex than domestic adoption, as it requires compliance with both U.S. immigration laws and the legal requirements of the child’s country of origin. Families must complete a Hague-compliant home study, secure immigration approval, and follow all international legal procedures to finalize the adoption.

In addition to legal complexities, international adoption raises important ethical considerations. These include ensuring the child is legally eligible for adoption, that there is no coercion of birth families, and that all intercountry adoption practices follow ethical standards set by organizations such as the Hague Convention. Families must be prepared for extended timelines, variable costs, and potential travel requirements.

Despite the challenges, international adoption allows families to provide a permanent home for a child from another culture, often where local adoption options may be limited. Working with a licensed international adoption agency helps ensure the process is conducted legally, ethically, and with appropriate post-placement support.

Top International Adoption Agencies in Maryland:

• International Adoption Net (Washington, DC): Provides adoption services to Maryland-area families, specializing in placements from countries such as Russia and Colombia.
• The Barker Adoption Foundation (Bethesda, MD): Facilitates international adoptions with a commitment to ethical practices, cultural sensitivity, and lifelong family support.
• Children’s House International (Serving Maryland): A Hague-accredited agency experienced in adoptions from over a dozen countries, offering full-service support and country-specific expertise.

How to Choose an Adoption Agency in Maryland

Choosing the right adoption agency is a critical step in ensuring a successful, ethical, and well-supported adoption process. Prospective adoptive parents in Maryland should evaluate agencies based on legal compliance, available services, support systems, and financial transparency.

Licensing and Accreditation
Always confirm that the agency is licensed to operate in Maryland. Licensed agencies are regulated by the state and required to follow established legal and ethical standards. This ensures the agency is qualified to facilitate adoptions legally and responsibly.

National vs. Local Agencies
National adoption agencies typically offer access to a broader network of birth parents, increasing matching opportunities and potentially reducing wait times. Local agencies may provide more personalized support and deeper familiarity with Maryland-specific laws and procedures. Consider which approach best fits your needs and expectations.

Full-Service Capabilities
A full-service agency provides end-to-end support, including home studies, legal guidance, matching services, counseling, and post-placement care. These agencies are better equipped to handle the complexities of adoption and support families through each phase of the process.

Transparency and Financial Protection
Select an agency that clearly outlines all fees, services, and potential financial risks. Agencies should offer upfront cost estimates and explain how they handle disruptions, including whether they provide financial protection or refunds in the event an adoption doesn’t proceed as planned.

Evaluating these core attributes will help you choose a licensed and reputable agency that aligns with your goals and ensures a legally sound, emotionally supported adoption experience.

How to Adopt a Baby in Maryland: 5 Key Steps to Parenthood

Adopting a baby in Maryland is a structured process designed to ensure every child is placed in a safe, loving home. Whether you’re just beginning to explore adoption or ready to take the next step, understanding the process will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Step 1: Choose a Licensed Adoption Agency

Start by selecting a licensed adoption agency that fits your goals and values. Agencies manage key parts of the process—matching, counseling, legal support, and post-placement care.

National agencies, like American Adoptions, offer broader access to birth mothers across the U.S., which can reduce wait times. Local agencies may provide more personal support but often have smaller networks. The right agency will ensure your adoption is both legally sound and emotionally supported.

Step 2: Complete the Pre-Adoption Process

Before being matched, you’ll complete a home study—a required evaluation of your home, background, and readiness to adopt. This includes interviews, home visits, background checks, and financial reviews.

You’ll also create an adoptive family profile to share with birth mothers. This helps expectant parents get to know you and decide if your family is the right fit for their child. Agencies guide you through this process to make sure your profile reflects your values and lifestyle.

Looking for a Home Study Provider? Start here.

Step 3: Be Chosen by a Birth Mother

Once your home study is approved, your profile becomes available to expectant mothers. When a birth mother selects you, it’s called a match. Some matches involve ongoing communication, depending on how open both parties want the adoption to be.

This stage can be emotional. Agencies help facilitate communication and make sure both the adoptive and birth families feel supported and informed.

Step 4: Meet Your Baby at the Hospital

When the baby is born, you’ll typically meet them at the hospital. Depending on the birth mother’s preferences, you may also be present during delivery.

The agency manages the hospital plan, coordinates legal paperwork, and ensures all necessary consent forms are signed. This helps make the experience respectful, smooth, and legally compliant.

Step 5: Post-Placement and Finalization

After the baby is placed in your home, Maryland requires a post-placement supervision period—usually around six months. During this time, the agency conducts follow-up visits to ensure the child is adjusting well.

Once that’s complete, the adoption is finalized in court. At the finalization hearing, a judge grants full parental rights, and a new birth certificate is issued naming you as the child’s legal parent.

Who Can Adopt a Baby in Maryland?

To adopt in Maryland, you must meet certain eligibility requirements:

Age: At least 21 years old.

Marital Status: Both single individuals and married couples can adopt. If married, both spouses must adopt together.

Residency: You must be a Maryland resident or have a significant connection to the state.

Understanding Adoption Costs in Maryland

Adoption in Maryland can involve a range of costs depending on the type of adoption you pursue. Understanding these expenses early on can help you plan realistically and avoid unexpected financial stress.

• Private Adoption: Private adoption typically costs between $20,000 and $40,000. This amount includes agency fees, birth mother expenses (such as medical and living costs), legal fees, and required services like home studies and counseling. Costs may vary based on the agency and the services provided.
• Foster Care Adoption: Adopting through the foster care system is generally low-cost (around $2,000). Most expenses are covered by the state, and adoptive families may qualify for ongoing financial assistance, including subsidies, healthcare coverage for the child, and access to support services.
• International Adoption: International adoption generally ranges from $50,000 to $60,000. These costs reflect agency fees, legal expenses in both countries, travel, immigration processing, and document translation. Timelines and expenses can vary significantly based on the child’s country of origin.

Licensed agencies such as American Adoptions offer financial protection programs and transparent cost breakdowns to help adoptive families budget and plan effectively.

The Home Study Process in Maryland

The home study is a required and foundational step in the Maryland adoption process. It involves a series of background checks, personal interviews, and a home inspection to evaluate your readiness to adopt and ensure your home provides a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for a child.

The process also includes collecting personal documents, financial records, and references. It is both a screening and educational opportunity, helping prospective parents prepare emotionally and practically for adoption. Agencies like American Adoptions offer guidance and support throughout the home study, helping ensure every requirement is met and your documentation is complete for a smooth approval process.

Post-Placement Support in Maryland

Once a child is placed in your home, Maryland law requires a post-placement supervision period before finalization. During this time, post-placement support is critical to help families adjust and ensure the child’s well-being.

This support often includes scheduled home visits by a licensed social worker, counseling services, parenting resources, and help navigating any early challenges.

In open adoptions, agencies may also assist with maintaining communication between adoptive and birth families. Ongoing support helps ensure a stable transition and promotes long-term success for both parents and child.

Adoption FAQ: Answers to Common Questions

How does adoption finalization work in Maryland?
Adoption finalization in Maryland generally occurs within six months. During the finalization hearing, a judge will grant legal recognition of the adoption.

Can birth mothers change their mind in Maryland?
Yes, birth mothers can revoke consent until the adoption is finalized. Maryland law includes a required waiting period to ensure the birth mother’s decision is fully informed.

Is there an adoption tax credit in Maryland?
Maryland does not provide a state-specific adoption tax credit, but families may qualify for the federal adoption tax credit, which helps offset adoption costs.

Adopt a Baby in Maryland Today with Professional Guidance

Adoption is a life-changing decision, and the process can feel overwhelming. However, with the right support and guidance, the adoption journey can be both smooth and rewarding. American Adoptions is here to provide the resources, support, and expertise you need to successfully navigate the adoption process in Maryland.

Start Your Adoption Journey Today with American Adoptions.