How do I adopt a child in North Carolina?

Step 1. Petition the court for Adoption. The petition must be signed by the adoptive parent(s), and may be filed in the county where the adoptee has lived for at least six consecutive months or from birth, where the child placing agency is located or where the petitioner has lived or been domiciled for at least the six consecutive months immediately preceding the filing of the petition. The following documents must be filed with the petition:

• Affidavit of parentage
• Legal clearance documents
• Pre-Placement Assessment (home study)
• Non-identifying background information and health history form
• Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children documents, if applicable
• Legal risk statement, if applicable
• Child support obligation, if applicable

​Once a petition is filed with all of the proper documents, the Clerk of Court will order the agency to make a report on the proposed adoption, if required for that type of adoption.
 
Step 2. File the Report on Proposed Action with the court of adoptions by the Department of Social Services or whoever the child’s placing agency is, which are ordered to investigate and supervise the adoptive placement. The report will include the following: history and family background of the child, the birth parents, the adoptive parents, assessment of the adjustment of the child and the family, and a recommendation as to whether the adoption should be finalized.
 
Step 3. File an itemized list of any out-of-pocket costs, such as filing fees or court costs, which must be done before the adoption can be finalized.
 
Step 4. The adoption is accepted and finalized by the court. The Decree of Adoption handed down, which makes the child legally part of your family now.
 
Step 5. Send the adoption documents to the NC Division of Social services where they are indexed for permanent retention then the child will be issued a new birth certificate. The new birth certificate will show the adoptive parents as the child’s parents and reflects the child’s new name, if changed.
 
NOTE: that all laws relating to adoption are found in Chapter 48 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

For more information please visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/adopt/

​Adkins Law has locations in Huntersville and Ballantyne. To arrange a consultation, contact Adkins Law. 

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