Maryland Family Law Section 5-313.1

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

** SPECIAL NOTE: SECTION DUE TO BE REPEALED - EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTER 464 OF 2005 **

      (a)      Nothing in this section may be construed to require an adopting parent to petition a court in this State for adoption of a child if:

            (1)      the child was adopted under the laws of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States; and

            (2)      the validity of the foreign adoption has been verified by the granting of an IR-3 visa for the child by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

      (b)      If an adopting parent chooses to file a petition for adoption in this State, a court may grant a decree of adoption or a decree of guardianship without requiring the consent of a natural parent otherwise required under §§ 5-311 and 5-317 of this subtitle if the petitioner files with the petition for adoption or guardianship a decree of adoption, guardianship, or termination of parental rights granted by a judicial, administrative, or executive body of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States that is in compliance with the laws of that country.