privateadoption.orgState overview
North Carolina
A few of the basics in North Carolina, in plain words. Tap a card to read it in full with its official source.
North Carolina courts have jurisdiction over an adoption if the adoptee has lived in North Carolina for at least six consecutive months immediately before the filing of the petition (or from birth if under six months old), or if the prospective adoptive parent has lived or been domiciled in North Carolina for at least six consecutive months immediately before the filing of the petition, or if a county department of social services or a licensed North Carolina agency has legal custody of the adoptee.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 48-2-100(b) · as of 2026-10-22
A preplacement assessment and the post-petition report to the court are prepared and updated only by a county department of social services in North Carolina or a child-placing agency licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (which may engage a qualified contractor to gather information). For a prospective adoptive parent who lives outside North Carolina, the preplacement assessment may be prepared by an entity authorized by the laws of that state to prepare preplacement assessments.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 48-1-101(4); 48-3-302(c); 48-2-501(a)-(b) · as of 2026-10-22
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 48 and Chapter 7B, and the NC DHHS adoption pages, were checked and no central state putative father registry was found. Instead, North Carolina uses an Affidavit of Parentage (DSS-5190ia) or a legitimating or paternity filing stored in the central registry of the Department of Health and Human Services under 7B-1111(a)(5)a, along with statutory support and communication steps under 48-3-601(2)b.4. An attorney can explain how this applies.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 48-3-601(2)b; 48-2-206; 7B-1111(a)(5)a · as of 2026-10-22
An adoption proceeding is a special proceeding filed before the clerk of superior court. If an issue of fact, an equitable defense, or a request for equitable relief is raised before the clerk, the clerk transfers the proceeding to the district court under 48-2-601(a1). Venue is in the county where the petitioner lives or is domiciled when filing, where the adoptee lives when filing, or where an office of the agency that placed the adoptee is located.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 48-2-100(a); 48-2-101; 48-2-601(a1) · as of 2026-10-22
Who to ask
These entries describe what North Carolina law and agencies say. For what they mean for your family, ask an adoption attorney licensed in North Carolina.
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