What are North Carolina's adoption laws?

North Carolina adoption is governed by North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 48. Here are the key provisions:

Residency: 6 months (N.C.G.S. § 48-2-100)

Court: District Court

Child Consent: Age 12+ (N.C.G.S. § 48-3-601)

Abandonment: 6 months no contact (N.C.G.S. § 48-3-603)

Termination: Can be included in adoption proceeding

Home Study: Typically waived for stepparents (N.C.G.S. § 48-3-503)

Timeline: Minor: 3-6 months | Adult: 4-8 weeks

North Carolina has 100 counties, each with its own District Court. Our documents are customized for your specific countie's requirements.

We've helped 914+ families in North Carolina navigate these laws successfully.