North Carolina's Adoption Laws

• Adoption Records
• Consent To Adoption
• Parties To An Adoption
• Birth Father Statutes
• Adoption Expenses
• International Expenses
• General Adoption Statutes

Adoption Records

North Carolina

Statute: §§ 7B-311; 7B-2902

Records Confidential: Yes

Persons with access to records

Not addressed in statutes reviewed.

Persons without access to records

• CPS/State Agencies

• Agencies From Other States

• Courts/Judges

• Grand Juries

• Law Enforcement

• Attorneys General/Prosecutors

• Attorneys, GAL's

• Physicians

• Reporters of Abuse

• Researchers

• Employers

• Parents/Guardians

• Coroners

• Review Teams

• Treatment Providers

• Subject of Reports

• Public/Any Person

1. • There are no officials or other persons specifically designated in statute to have access to these records. Access is subject to policies adopted by the Social Services Commission.
2. • Public disclosure is permitted in child fatality or near fatality cases.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Consent to Adoption

The consent may be signed any time following the birth.

Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of North Carolina.

Revocation Time Frame in North Carolina

The consent may be revoked up to seven days following signing.

Parties to an Adoption

North Carolina

• Any adult may adopt.

• Spouses may not adopt each other.

Any individual

• An agency

• A guardian

• Both parents if married and living together

• A parent with legal and physical custody of the child

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Birth Father Statutes

No information currently available.

Adoption Expenses

North Carolina

1. • Medical, hospital, pharmaceutical, nursing, and travel expenses connected to the pregnancy and birth
2. • Counseling services for the parent or adopted person
3. • Ordinary living expenses
4. • Legal and court costs

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed Statute: § 48-10-103(a)(4) 

Living expenses may not be paid beyond 6 weeks after the birth of the child.

 Except for the expenses authorized by § 48-10-103, a person or entity may not give or receive compensation for:

1. • Placing a child
2. • Arranging consent
3. • Otherwise assisting in locating a child or adoptive family

1. • A payment may not be contingent on consent to the adoption or placement or relinquishment of the child, nor can payments that have been made be recovered.
2. • Expenses may be recovered if they were accepted with fraudulent intent.

1. • An agency may charge a reasonable fee for services, including for preparation of reports and preplacement assessments.
2. • Fees are based on the ability to pay.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 48-2-602 

At least 10 days before the hearing, the petitioner shall file with the court an affidavit accounting for any payments or disbursements made or agreed to be made in connection with the adoption.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

International Expenses

No information currently available.

General Adoption Statutes

North Carolina

Agency or Person Gathering Information or Preparing Report Statute: § 48-3-205 Child placement agency

1. • Date of birth
2. • Birth weight
3. • Any information relevant to the decision to adopt or the minor's well-being
4. • Mental, genetic, physical, and emotional health
5. • Prenatal and postnatal care
6. • History of abuse

1. • Age at birth of adopted person
2. • Heritage
3. • Educational level attained
4. • General physical appearance
5. • Health status of parents and their family members (medical, mental, and genetic history)
6. • History of abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual)

1. • Age, date of birth, nationality, and religious preference
2. • Marital and family status
3. • Home environment
4. • Physical and mental health
5. • Education and employment history
6. • Property and income
7. • Financial obligations
8. • Reasons for wanting to adopt
9. • Criminal background and child abuse history check

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.