Maryland Family Law Section 5-3B-04

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

** SPECIAL NOTE: EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTER 464 - 2005 **

      (a)      In this section, "order" includes any action that, under the laws of another jurisdiction, has the force and effect of a comparable judicial order under this subtitle.

      (b)      In accordance with the United States Constitution, this State shall accord full faith and credit to:

            (1)      an order of another state as to adoption or guardianship in compliance with the other state's laws; and

            (2)      termination of parental rights in compliance with the other state's laws.

      (c)      As to a jurisdiction other than a state:

            (1)      an order for adoption or guardianship entered in compliance with the jurisdiction's laws shall have the same legal effect as an order for adoption or guardianship entered in this State; and

            (2)      termination of parental rights in compliance with the jurisdiction's laws shall have the same legal effect as termination of parental rights in this State.

      (d)      This section may not be construed to require an individual to petition a court in this State for adoption of an adoptee if:

            (1)      the individual adopted the adoptee in compliance with the laws of a jurisdiction other than a state; and

            (2)      the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services verifies the validity of that adoption by granting, under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, an IR-3 visa for the adoptee.