Md. Code, Family Law § 5-204
This is the official text of Md. Code, Family Law § 5-204, part of Maryland’s Code, Family Law — governs marriage, divorce, child custody and support, and adoption.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
§5–204.
Official statutory text
(a) (1) If a minor child has only 1 parent, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the parent.
(2) If the parents of a minor child live together, and the child lives with them, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the parents.
(b) If the parents of a minor child live apart, the domicile of the child is the same as that of:
(1) the parent to whom custody is awarded; or
(2) if custody has not been awarded, the parent with whom the child lives.
(c) If a minor child does not live with either parent, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the person who acts in the capacity of a parent.
(2) If the parents of a minor child live together, and the child lives with them, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the parents.
(b) If the parents of a minor child live apart, the domicile of the child is the same as that of:
(1) the parent to whom custody is awarded; or
(2) if custody has not been awarded, the parent with whom the child lives.
(c) If a minor child does not live with either parent, the domicile of the child is the same as that of the person who acts in the capacity of a parent.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
Dealing with a family matter in Maryland?
See all Maryland Family lawyers
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.