Form 9-102.5.Consent of child to a public agency adoption or private agency adoption

Last amended July 1, 2024 · Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026

In one sentenceForm 9-102.5 is the consent a child signs to a public agency or private agency adoption, written to be read by the child.

Full Text of Form 9-102.5

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CONSENT OF __________(Name of Child) TO ADOPTION

This consent form may be completed only after being reviewed with an attorney and should be completed only by a child who is in the custody of or under the guardianship of the Department of Social Services or under the guardianship of a private child placement agency. Code, Family Law Article, Title 5, Subtitle 3 or 3A.

1. I understand English, or this consent form has been translated into __________, a language that I understand.

2. My name is ...............................................................................................................................................................................

3. My date of birth is __________. I am ___ years old.

4. I understand that __________ have asked to adopt me.

5. I have a lawyer whose name and telephone number are __________. I have met with my lawyer who has gone over this consent form with me and explained to me what it means to be adopted.

6. I understand that if I agree to be adopted, and I am adopted, __________ will become my parents, and I will become their child.

7. I understand that I do not have to agree to be adopted. If I do not agree, the judge cannot approve the adoption. If the adoption is not approved, and I am not adopted by someone else, a judge will decide where I will live.

8. I voluntarily and of my own free will agree to being adopted by __________. I understand that if they are not able to complete the adoption, this consent form will no longer be valid and can no longer be used.

9. I understand that if I change my mind and do not want to be adopted, I must tell my lawyer, my social worker, or the judge immediately. I will have to sign a written statement or tell the judge in court that I do not want to be adopted before the adoption order is signed by a judge. This is called a revocation of consent.

10. I understand that when I am at least 21 years old, my birth parents or I may apply to the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health to get certain birth and adoption records. If I do not want information about me to be given to my birth parents, I have the right to file a form called a “disclosure veto.” I have been given a form that I may use if I want to file a disclosure veto.

11. I understand that when I am at least 21 years old, my birth parents, my siblings, or I may apply to the Director of the Social Services Administration of the Maryland Department of Human Resources for adoption search, contact, and reunion services.

12. I have not lived on an Indian Reservation, and I do not believe that I am a member of an Indian tribe or eligible to be an enrolled member of an Indian tribe.

13. I have read this consent form or have had it read and explained to me in a language that I understand. I understand the meaning of this consent form.

14. I have not been promised anything in return for agreeing to be adopted.

15. I have signed this consent form of my own free will.

16. I understand that I will be given a copy of this signed consent form.

I solemnly affirm under the penalties of perjury that the contents of this consent to adoption form are true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

(Date)                                                    (Signature)
                                                          (Printed Name)
Witness:                                                  (Address)
(Date)                                                    (City, State, Zip Code)
                                                          (Telephone Number)

                                                          (Signature)
                                                          (Printed Name)
                                                          (Address)
                                                          (City, State, Zip Code)

                                                                             (Telephone Number)

End

Amendment History

Maryland publishes each rule’s adoption and amendment record as a bracketed “Credits” note beneath the rule, giving the date of each Rules Order and the date it took effect. It is reproduced verbatim below.

[Former Form 9-102.6 adopted June 4, 2007, eff. July 1, 2007. Amended June 20, 2017, eff. Aug. 1, 2017. Renumbered Nov. 9, 2021, eff. Jan. 1, 2022; April 5, 2024, eff. July 1, 2024.]

Plain-English Summary

Maryland requires an older child's own consent to their adoption, and this is the form they sign. It is written in the first person and in short numbered sentences — I understand English; my name is; I have a lawyer — because the person completing it is a child, not a lawyer.

The child confirms having a lawyer who has gone over the form and explained what being adopted means, and states in their own words that they understand who will become their parents, that they do not have to agree, and that if they do not agree the judge cannot approve the adoption. If the adoption is not approved and no one else adopts them, a judge will decide where they live.

The revocation rule is different from a parent's, and the difference matters. There is no window measured in days at all. A child who changes their mind must tell their lawyer, their social worker or the judge immediately, and must sign a written statement or tell the judge in court before the adoption order is signed. Once the judge signs, it is done.

The form also explains that at 21 the child, their birth parents, or they themselves may seek certain birth and adoption records, and that a disclosure veto may be filed to prevent information being given out. It closes with an affirmation under penalties of perjury and a two-column signature block for the child and a witness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a child have to agree to their own adoption?

Where this form applies, yes — and the form says so in the child's own words: if the child does not agree, the judge cannot approve the adoption.

How does a child take back their consent?

By telling their lawyer, social worker or the judge immediately, and signing a written statement or telling the judge in court, before the adoption order is signed. There is no fixed number of days — the deadline is the judge's signature.

What happens if the child does not agree?

The judge cannot approve the adoption. If the adoption is not approved and the child is not adopted by someone else, a judge will decide where the child lives.

Can the child get their records later?

The form explains that at 21 the child may apply for certain birth and adoption records, and may file a document called a disclosure veto to prevent information about them being given out.

Source & verification. The form text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, Title 9 — Family Law Actions (Md. Rule, Form 9-102.5). Adopted by the Supreme Court of Maryland. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 8, 2026. · Official source

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