Do I need to pay for a home study for stepparent adoption in North Carolina?

Good news — North Carolina typically waives the home study requirement for stepparent adoptions (N.C.G.S. § 48-3-503). This means you won't need to go through the home study process, which saves time and money. In states that do require it, a home study for stepparent adoption is different from traditional adoption — it's essentially just a brief interview, not an invasive home inspection. Cost is typically $300–$400 when required.