(a) Any adult or minor may be adopted under this subtitle. (b) (1) Any adult may petition a court for adoption. (2) If a petitioner is married, the petitioner’s spouse shall join in the petition unless the spouse: (i) is separated from the petitioner under a circumstance that gives the petitioner a ground for annulment or divorce; (ii) is not competent to join in the petition; or (iii) 1. is a parent of the prospective adoptee; and 2. has consented to the adoption in accordance with this subtitle. (c) Before a petition is filed under this subtitle, a petitioner shall move for, and a court shall order that, a case pending under Subtitle 3 of this title be closed. (d) If the marital status of a petitioner changes before entry of an order under this subtitle, the petitioner shall amend the petition accordingly.
Maryland Legal Code