1. (a) This section does not apply to an adoption of an adult.

2. (b) A court may enter an order for adoption only if:

   1. (1)

      1. (i) 1. each of the prospective adoptee's living parents consents:

         1. A. in writing; or
         2. B. by failure to timely file notice of objection after being served with a show-cause order in accordance with this subtitle;
         3. 2. an administrative, executive, or judicial body of a state or other jurisdiction has granted a governmental unit or person other than a parent the power to consent to adoption, and the unit or person consents; or
         4. 3. parental rights have been terminated in compliance with the laws of a state or other jurisdiction, as described in § 5-3B-04 of this subtitle; and
      2. (ii) if the prospective adoptee is at least 10 years old, the prospective adoptee consents; or
   2. (2) in accordance with § 5-3B-22 of this subtitle, the court orders adoption without consent otherwise required under this section.

Added as Family Law § 5-3B-19 by Acts 2005, c. 464, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. Renumbered as Family Law § 5-3B-20 by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 1, eff. June 1, 2006. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 365, § 2, eff. June 1, 2006; Acts 2025, c. 501, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.