Adoption Frequently Asked Questions
Welcoming a child through adoption brings incredible joy, but the legal steps along the way can sometimes make it challenging. At Raleigh Divorce Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of North Carolina families successfully complete this process.
We’ve gathered the questions we hear most often from parents like you who are eager to grow their families. Here are answers to help make your adoption experience smoother.
What Are The Different Types Of Adoption?
In North Carolina, you can choose from several adoption paths:
- Agency adoptions: Working with public or private licensed adoption agencies
- Independent adoptions: Direct arrangements between birth and adoptive parents, typically with attorney assistance
- Stepparent adoptions: When a stepparent legally adopts their spouse’s child
- Relative adoptions: When family members adopt a child they’re related to
- Adult adoptions: Adoption of persons 18 years or older
- International adoptions: Adopting children from other countries
Each type has its own legal requirements. Our attorneys will guide you through the one that fits your family best.
Who Can Adopt A Child?
North Carolina welcomes many different types of adoptive parents. You need to be at least 18 years old, but both single people and couples (including LGBTQ+ families) can adopt. You don’t have to own your home, but you do need to show you’re financially stable and pass background checks and a home study. Our state cares more about finding loving, stable homes than checking off rigid boxes.
What Is The Process For Adopting A Child?
The typical steps in a North Carolina adoption include:
- Initial consultation: Meet with an adoption attorney or agency
- Home study: Complete background checks, interviews and home assessments
- Matching process: Find and match with a child or expectant parent
- Termination of parental rights (TPR): Secure legal termination of the biological parents’ rights, either through voluntary consent or court action
- Filing petition: Submit a formal adoption petition with the appropriate North Carolina court
- Placement: Welcome the child into your home
- Post-placement visits: Social worker conducts required visits
- Legal finalization: Attend a court hearing to legally finalize the adoption
- Post-adoption: Obtain a new birth certificate and finalize any remaining requirements
This process may seem complex, but our experienced lawyers will walk you through each step, helping you complete your North Carolina adoption successfully.
How Long Does The Adoption Process Take?
Adoption timeframes in North Carolina vary by type:
- Agency adoptions: Typically take one to two years
- Independent adoptions: Usually six to 12 months after matching
- Stepparent/relative adoptions: Often three to six months after filing
- International adoptions: Generally one to three years, depending on the country
While individual circumstances may affect these timelines, our firm works diligently to minimize delays while meeting all legal requirements.
Do You Have Other Adoption Concerns? Call Us Now.
Every family is unique, and so are their adoption needs. At Raleigh Divorce Law Firm, our dedicated adoption attorneys will create a plan that works for your family’s specific situation. Call our Raleigh office today at 919-926-1943 or send us a message through our online form to discuss your case. We’re here to help you build your family.