The adoption process in North Carolina requires a home study as well as a placement period.
Parents wishing to adopt a child from foster care in North Carolina can contact the local Department of Social Services to learn about the process and the children available for adoption. In North Carolina anyone over the age of 18 can adopt whether married or single. There are no income requirements and the adopting parent(s) do not have to own a home. The suitability of the adoptive family and home will be assessed by the adoption agency as well as NC social services.
Instructions
1. Research adoption agencies in North Carolina. The county branches of the Department of Social Services offer adoption services; there are also private agencies licensed by the state.
2. Ask the adoption agency case worker about the details of the adoption process in North Carolina.
3. Complete the agency's adoption application. This provides the agency with a detailed background of the adoptive family as well as a description of the child sought. Complete a background check for prospective parents and any household members age 18 and older. This is required by the state and the FBI.
4. Complete the Pre-Placement Assessment or home study. This consists of meetings with a social worker assigned by the state to assess the adoptive family.
5. Choose a child or sibling group with the social worker and submit the Pre-Placement Assessment to the child's adoption agency. Once the agency approves the family as a potential match, visitation will be planned.
6. Bring the child home for the placement period, during which the social worker will visit the home to provide support and evaluate the placement. This period typically lasts 6 months before the adoption is finalized in court.
7. File the Petition for Adoption with the county Clerk of Courts. This must be signed by both adoptive parents and filed with required documents including the affidavit of parentage, legal clearance documents for the child, pre-placement assessment, non-identifying background information and health history. Once the adoption has been approved and finalized, the parents will be listed as the child's parents on the birth certificate.
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