How to Adopt a Baby in North Carolina [Complete Guide]

Are you wondering how to adopt a baby in North Carolina?

Maybe you’re just starting to explore adoption, or maybe you’ve been dreaming of this for years. No matter where you are, it's normal to feel a mix of excitement, hope and uncertainty.

In this guide, you'll learn the steps for adopting a baby in North Carolina, how the process works, what costs to expect and how American Adoptions can support you every step of the way. Ready to take your first step? Fill out our form to get free information.

How to Adopt a Baby in North Carolina: 5 Steps to Parenthood

Becoming a parent through adoption is more than possible — it's something we've helped over 13,000 families achieve.

Here's how you can begin your journey:

Step 1. Contact an Adoption Agency

The first step is choosing the right adoption professional. A licensed, full-service agency like American Adoptions will walk you through every part of the process. We offer emotional support, legal guidance and nationwide marketing to give you the best chance of being chosen by an expectant parent. Contact us today to learn more.

Step 2. Become an Active Family

Once you select your agency, you’ll:

Fill out an Adoption Planning Questionnaire. This outlines your preferences for your adoption journey.
Complete an adoption home study. This legal process includes background checks, document gathering, home safety inspections and interviews to make sure your home is safe and you are ready for a child.
Create an adoptive family profile. This profile, including photos, letters and a video. It is what expectant parents see when deciding who they want to place their child with.

Step 3. Be Chosen by a Prospective Birth Mother

In private adoption, it's the expectant parent who chooses the adoptive family. If she’s interested in having pre- and post-placement contact, you may begin building a relationship through calls, texts or even in-person meetings. Curious how open adoption works? It’s a beautiful way to form lasting connections that benefit everyone involved.

Step 4. Meet Your Baby

As the hospital stay approaches, you’ll receive updates and guidance from your adoption specialist. Depending on the expectant mother's wishes, you may be invited to the hospital for the birth or meet your baby shortly after. We’ll make sure everyone feels supported during this emotional time.

Step 5. Finalize the Adoption

Finalization is when your adoption becomes legally complete. A judge will review your case and issue a final decree of adoption. This is when your baby becomes an official member of your family.

Who Can Adopt a Baby in North Carolina?

There are important eligibility guidelines to ensure successful placements. At American Adoptions, we require hopeful parents to:

Be between 25 and 50 years old
Be married for at least two years
Have no more than two children already living in the home

Learn more about North Carolina's adoption requirements.

How American Adoptions Supports You: Why Families Trust Us

Choosing the right agency can shape your entire adoption experience. Here's why so many families trust us:

A licensed adoption professional
Unlike unlicensed organizations that may overpromise and under deliver, American Adoptions is independently reviewed, follows all state laws and upholds the highest standards of practice.
Honest wait times
American Adoptions utilizes a wide-reaching marketing strategy to connect adoptive families with prospective birth mothers nationwide, reducing wait times.
Financial protection
In the event of an adoption disruption, the money you put into your adoption will be refunded back to you to use how you deem fit, rather than rolled over into future adoption journeys.

Understanding Adoption Costs in North Carolina

How much does it cost to adopt a baby? Here's what you should know about the usual fees involved:

Agency and case management fees
Medical expenses for the expectant mother and child
Expectant parent living expenses (learn more)
Legal and finalization fees
Advertising and outreach costs

We provide a detailed, upfront estimate so you can plan confidently. Plus, our Risk-Sharing Program refunds your post-activation fees if the adoption opportunity doesn’t work out.

Worried About Affording Adoption? You Have Options

Are you asking yourself, "How can I afford adoption?" Know that support is available. We help you explore:

Adoption grants
Low-interest loans
Employer benefits
Fundraising
The federal adoption tax credit

Our specialists will help you create a financial plan that makes your dreams achievable.

How Long Does It Take to Adopt a Baby in North Carolina?

Every journey is different, but with American Adoptions' nationwide marketing, you’ll have more opportunities to be chosen. Our wait time is average of 12 months.

Because American Adoptions invests heavily in nationwide advertising, your profile reaches more prospective birth parents, leading to significantly shorter wait times than low-marketing agencies.

Unlicensed adoption professionals aren’t monitored by any governing body and can mislead families about wait times and costs. American Adoptions is fully licensed, which means you receive transparent service.

Local adoption opportunities fluctuate, but national agencies have broader reach and data to provide more accurate and consistent wait time estimates.

Why It’s So Important to Complete Your Home Study Early

Your adoption home study is a crucial part of the process. It involves background checks, document collection, home inspections and personal interviews. Completing your home study early means you'll be ready to act quickly when adoption opportunities arise.

American Adoptions is not licensed to complete home studies in North Carolina yet. However, we can connect you with trusted local providers.

Find a home study provider near you.

When Is Adoption Finalized in North Carolina?

Finalization usually happens several months after placement, once all post-placement visits are complete. A judge will officially approve your adoption during a final hearing.

Learn more about finalization in North Carolina.

Other Adoption Laws in North Carolina

Here are a few important laws to know:

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): This federal law is designed to protect the rights of Native American children, ensuring that their families and tribes are involved in decisions regarding adoption. It aims to preserve the cultural heritage and familial ties of Native American children. Learn more.
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC): This is an agreement between all 50 states that ensures a uniform process for the placement of children across state lines for adoption. The ICPC helps maintain the legal protections and appropriate services for children placed outside their home state.
Post-Adoption Contact Agreements: These are agreements between adoptive parents and expectant parents that define the level of contact they will maintain after the adoption is finalized. In North Carolina, these agreements are not legally enforceable. However, they are encouraged as they help create and maintain positive, lasting relationships between families.

Learn more about North Carolina's adoption laws.

Adoption Attorneys Near Me

An adoption attorney plays a vital role in the adoption process. Their primary responsibilities include providing legal advice, ensuring all adoption procedures follow state and federal laws and handling any legal filings.

These trusted professionals are part of our network of recommended attorneys. They are all members of the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Attorneys (AAAA) and are fully licensed to practice in North Carolina.

Claiborne Fox Bradley Goldman LLC (Charlotte): Amy Wallas Fox has dedicated her entire career to adoption and assisted reproductive technologies law, offering expert legal guidance to adoptive families in North Carolina.
Craig Associates PC (Asheville): Christopher Craig is well-known for using his teaching, collaborative law and mediation experience to empower clients.
Mills Adoption Law (Raleigh): Bobby Mills brings over 30 years of experience to the table, helping families build their futures and guiding them through every step of the adoption process.
Fletcher, Tydings, Williams-Tracey & Gott PLLC (Charlotte): Jeff Williams-Tracy has been practicing law in North Carolina since 1994.
Thurman, Wilson, Boutwell & Galvin PA (Charlotte): W. David Thurman, a founding member of his firm, has been practicing law since 1983.
NicholsonPham (Durham): Milan Pham and Meredith Nicholson started practicing law in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Their firm believes in putting clients first and typically offers flat rates for services.
Fox Rothschild LLP (Charlotte): Kelly Dempsey provides comprehensive guidance to clients and handles the full spectrum of adoption options.

Each of these attorneys is committed to ensuring the legal aspects of your adoption are handled efficiently and correctly.

Different Types of Adoption in North Carolina and How They Compare to Private Adoption

There are many different types of adoption to consider, including foster care, international and private domestic adoption. Each comes with different timelines, goals and processes.

Private Domestic	Foster Care	International
Permanent placement	Reunification if possible	Placement of a child from another country
Newborn	0-18 years old	Varies
average of 12 months	Up to 5 years	1-5 years
Agency-assisted	State-run	International laws; agency-assisted

FAQ About Adopting a Baby in North Carolina

Can birth mothers change their mind in North Carolina?

Yes. In North Carolina, birth mothers can revoke consent within seven days of initially giving consent, or within five business days after receiving the pre-placement assessment, whichever is longer.

Is there an adoption tax credit in North Carolina?

No. However, you can claim the federal adoption tax credit for eligible expenses

Is it hard for a gay couple to adopt a baby?

No. American Adoptions proudly supports LGBTQ+ families. Learn more about LGBTQ+ adoption.

Are adoptive parents on the birth certificate in North Carolina?

Yes. After finalization, the adoptive parents' names appear on the amended birth certificate. It usually takes about 90 to 95 business days to complete the update.

Are open adoptions legally enforceable in North Carolina?

No. Open adoption agreements are not legally enforceable. However, open adoption is beneficial to everyone involved. Because of this, we ask all hopeful parents who work with us to be open to sending photo and letter updates as well as one visit within the first five years of the child’s life.

Learn more about open adoption.

Don’t Wait Any Longer — Adopt a Baby in North Carolina Today

Your dream of parenthood is closer than you think. With the right support, you can start this incredible journey today.

Fill out our form to get free information and connect with a specialist who can help you every step of the way.

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