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Last Modified on Jan 09, 2026
Boone, North Carolina, is a great place to raise a family, and families come in all shapes and sizes. When a couple or an individual chooses to adopt a child, there can be many legal challenges. Hiring a trusted North Carolina adoption lawyer from The Jonas Law Firm, P.L.L.C. can make the process much smoother, so you can finalize your adoption plans and start planning your family life. It is vital to ensure you are handling the adoption process correctly to avoid common legal pitfalls.
Adoption is a legal process that allows an adult to legally become the parent of a child or adult. In North Carolina, General Statutes 48:2-100 requires that both the adopter and the adoptee have lived in the state for at least 6 consecutive months before applying for adoption.
In 2024, there were 10,400 children and youths in foster care in North Carolina, with 769 waiting to be adopted. The governor of North Carolina declared November 2024 National Adoption Month to help raise awareness.
Whether you’re adopting through an agency, the local Department of Social Services, or a private adoption agency, the process is very similar for North Carolina intrastate adoptions. Some steps that you may go through are:
- Orientation at your chosen agency.
- Some agencies may encourage or require TIPPS-MAPP training (Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting).
- Pre-Placement Assessment (PPA) or mandatory home assessment. You may need to complete this every 18 months or whenever a major change happens in your household.
- Register with Adopt US Kids.
- If your PPA is approved, you may also register with NC Kids. You must file the registration form with them.
- Submit a copy of your approved PPA to be matched with an adoptee.
- Select or be matched with an adoptee.
- Set up a visitation and transition plan to move the child to your home.
- Complete legal adoption process.
The legal adoption process begins when you file your adoption request with the court in the county where you live. If working with an agency, you may file it in the county where the agency resides.
Hire an Adoption Lawyer
Filing adoption paperwork is a big step, and it can be the beginning of an overwhelming process. When you hire an adoption lawyer, you are hiring someone already familiar with the paperwork, the necessary forms, and the additional documents you need for court, such as a parental rights relinquishment form or an affidavit containing the adoptee’s health, medical, social, and genetic history.
There is a fee for filing the paperwork, but an experienced adoption lawyer can request the judge waive it if it is a hardship. When you undergo the pre-placement assessment, a skilled North Carolina adoption attorney can help you prepare for the requirements.
The Petition Hearing
After all your paperwork, your thorough PPA, and ensuring the biological family has relinquished any rights, it may finally be time for your hearing. You may need to meet a few prerequisites before your hearing, including ensuring:
- 90 days have passed since you filed your petition
- The adoptee resided with you for at least 90 days
- Any person entitled to notice has been served with notice
- Each consent form, waiver, relinquishment, or court order ending parental rights has been filed with the court, and the time for revocation has passed
- Any assessments have been filed with the court
The petition hearing can be one of the most emotional days of your entire journey. The judge can now decide if you can adopt your child. This is where a good adoption lawyer can be extremely beneficial to you. Not only can your adoption lawyer file all the necessary paperwork, but they can also provide a good-faith effort to notify anyone entitled to notice.
An adoption lawyer who knows the Watauga County courts may be more familiar with a particular court’s preferences, or may know the right information to present to give you a better chance of success in your adoption plea. This can also help to move the process forward more quickly.
FAQs
What Are the Rules for Adoption In NC?
The rules for adoption in North Carolina are that any person aged 18 or over may adopt a child or adult. Any child who is 12+ must consent to adoption unless the adopter files a waiver of the requirement for cause. An adoption attorney from The Jonas Law Firm, P.L.L.C., knows family law and understands all the rules governing adoption in North Carolina.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Child In NC?
The cost to adopt a child in North Carolina can vary greatly depending on which agency you are adopting from, if you’ve ever been a foster parent, and how difficult it is to find anyone who needs notification. Adoption of a child you fostered may cost far less than adoption from a private agency. NC foster parents submit to a rigorous approval process at the onset of their service.
Is It Hard to Adopt a Baby in North Carolina?
It can be difficult to adopt an infant in North Carolina due to demand. Some private agencies, while more expensive, can match you with prospective mothers to adopt directly from the biological parent. It’s still imperative that you have an adoption lawyer to examine any contracts before you sign them.
What Will Disqualify You From Adopting A Child In NC?
You may be denied your adoption petition in North Carolina if you have an unfavorable PPA. The court must give you an unfavorable PPA if it finds a criminal history in your background check. You may also be denied your adoption petition if the child is 12+ and indicates to the judge that they do not wish to be adopted by you. Working with an adoption lawyer to minimize surprises during your process is recommended.
Get Trusted Legal Guidance for Your North Carolina Adoption
At The Jonas Law Firm, P.L.L.C., we work to complete your adoption as quickly and as smoothly as possible. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in family law, and we support our clients every step of the way through the adoption process. If you are ready to take the exciting leap to adoption, contact us today.
