Adoption is the beginning of something extraordinary. It is the moment hope, love, and family come together. Whether you are welcoming a child or formalizing an important family relationship through stepparent, relative, agency, independent, adult, or foreign adoption, this is a journey filled with anticipation, emotion, and possibility. We are here to help you move forward with trusted legal guidance, honest answers, and steadfast support as you take the next step in building, expanding, or strengthening your family.
TYPES OF LEGAL ADOPTION SERVICES
- Stepparent Adoption: Stepparent adoption is the adoption of a child by the spouse of their biological parent.
- Relative Adoption: Relative adoption is the adoption of a child by a close family member. Under North Carolina law, that includes a grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling, aunt, great-aunt, uncle, great-uncle, or first cousin.
- Agency Adoption: Agency adoption is the adoption of a child who is in the custody of a public or private agency. All adoptions through North Carolina’s foster care system are agency adoptions. If a child is in the custody of an agency, the adoption is considered an agency adoption, even if the child is being adopted by a relative.
- Independent Adoption: Independent adoption is the adoption of a child who is placed directly with the adoptive family by the child’s parent or guardian. The adoptive parents are not relatives of the child as defined by North Carolina law. An agency may assist with the process, but the child is not in the agency’s custody.
- Adult Adoption: Adult adoption is the adoption of an adult by another adult. An adult is an individual who has achieved their 18th birthday. The only adults who cannot adopt each other are married couples.
- Foreign adoption: Foreign adoption is the adoption of a child born in another country. There are two types of foreign adoption. In the first, the child’s country of origin grants the adoptive parents guardianship so they can bring the child to the United States and complete the adoption here. In the second, the adoption was already finalized in the child’s country of origin, and the family completes a re-adoption in the United States.