Terms Used In Maryland Code, FAMILY LAW 5-4C-01

  • state: means :

    (1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or

    (2) the District of Columbia. See
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Administration” means the Social Services Administration of the Department.

(c) “Adoptee” means an individual:

(1) who was adopted in this State; or

(2) who was placed for adoption by:

(i) a child placement agency licensed in this State; or

(ii) a local department.

(d) “Director” means the Director of the Administration.

(e) “Identifying information” means information that reveals the identity or location of an adoptee, the natural parents of an adoptee, or a natural sibling.

(f) Repealed.

(g) “Natural father” means a man who:

(1) was married to the adoptee’s natural mother at the time of conception;

(2) was married to the adoptee’s natural mother at the time of the adoptee’s birth;

(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;

(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;

(5) has been adjudicated to be the father of the adoptee; or

(6) has acknowledged himself orally or in writing to be the father of the adoptee.

(h) “Natural sibling” means an individual who is at least 21 years old and shares 1 or both natural parents with an adoptee.

(i) “Registry” means the Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry.