Revocation Period

In Maryland a birth parent has 30 calendar days to revoke their consent to an adoption.  In the District of Columbia consent is irrevocable upon execution for a private adoption and a birth parent has 7 days to revoke their consent to adoption if the baby is placed through an agency. 

What expenses can be paid to the birth parent(s)?

In both Maryland and the District of Columbia an adoptive family may only pay for medical and legal services related to the adoption for the birth family.  The medical expenses include the cost of counseling for the birth parents.  Maryland and the District of Columbia prohibit paying for living expenses or providing clothing, food or gifts to a birth family 

Domestic Adoption

For families wishing to adopt domestically, Jennifer will advise clients on their legal rights and responsibilities and will provide an overview of the entire process, including the home study process and the difference between private agency adoption, public agency adoption and independent adoption. She often advises her clients on avenues through which to locate birth families, as well as the pitfalls and precautions to take when looking for a birth family.  Jennifer works with clients at all stages for the process from initial consultations, searching families, legal issues, finalizations and ICPC.  She is retained at various stages of the process to assist clients based on their needs at the time.

For birth parents, Jennifer represents them in the adoption process, from an initial consultation helping them to work through the adoption plan, providing guidance on how to locate adoptive parents and ensures their rights are safeguarded and they are p rovided with the support and guidance necessary to assist them in the process.   

The DC Council has revised the DC adoption law. On July 12, 2010, Mayor Fenty signed The Adoption Reform Amendment Act of 2010.  It went into law in October 2011.  One change will affect re-adoption cases. Title IV of the Act eliminates the need for re-adoption in cases in which (1) a final decree of adoption has been granted by a foreign country and (2) the child has been issued an IR-3 visa. The Department of Health will be empowered to issue a new birth certificate without the necessity of a court action. 

To review the new D.C. Law regarding adoption, click here: http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/images/00001/20100624152755.pdf.   .   

The website and information on Certificates of Birth (Birth Certificates) for Maryland Vital Statistics is: http://vsa.maryland.gov/ .

The website and information on Certificates of Birth for the District of Columbia is: http://dchealth.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,1371,q,581955,dohnav_gid,1787,dohnav,%7C33120%7C.asp