(a) Dockets. The clerk shall keep separate dockets for (1) adoption and guardianship proceedings and (2) revocations of consent to adoption or guardianship for which there are no pending adoption or guardianship proceedings in that county. These dockets are not open to inspection by any person, including the parents, except upon order of court. If the index to a docket is kept apart from the docket itself, the index is open to inspection.

(b) Sealing of Records. All pleadings and other papers in adoption and guardianship proceedings shall be sealed when they are filed and are not open to inspection by any person, including the parents, except upon an order of court. If a final decree of adoption was entered before June 1, 1947 and the record is not already sealed, the record may be sealed only on motion of a party. The clerk shall notify each person entitled to notice that the adoption has been finalized.

Cross reference: See Code, Health--General Article, § 4-211, concerning the amendment and replacement of birth certificates following adoption and the requirement that the clerk transmit to the Maryland Department of Health a report of adoption or revocation of adoption.

Source: This Rule is derived from former Rule D80 a and c.