Who can adopt? Adopting families can be older or younger, wealthy or of modest income, two-parent or single-parent. The primary requirement for adoption is that you can provide a healthy, loving and nurturing home for a child. The agencies will be glad to work with you to meet all of the other adoption requirements.

Where do I start? Contact your local Department of Social Services or one of five licensed adoption agencies that contract with the state to place children with special needs.

How much does it cost to adopt? There is no cost to adopt a child who is in foster care in North Carolina. Persons interested in adopting children who are not in agency custody, or adopting a child from another country, need to check with the appropriate private adoption agencies concerning the cost of this service.

What is the process of adopting a child from the foster care system?

• Educate yourself about foster children and adoption.
• Choose an adoption agency.
• Submit an application.
• Complete a preplacement assessment (home study).
• Work with your social worker to find the right child.
• Visit with your child.
• Bring your child home.
• Legalize the adoption in court.

What can I expect from a home study? The home study, also known as a preplacement assessment, is a way for an agency to get to know you, teach you about adoption, and prepare you to adopt a child from foster care. Some agencies work with families on an individual basis, others work with groups of families, and some do both

How long does it take? The adoption process may take from a few months to over a year to be finalized, depending on the legal status of the child and the timeliness of the required court hearings. In many situations, a child resides with the pre-adoptive family throughout this process.

What help is available to adopting families? An adoption subsidy is provided on behalf of children in foster care who have special needs. Special needs include mental, emotional or physical disabilities, but older children and sibling groups may also be considered to have special needs. The subsidy includes a monthly cash payment that is based on the child's age, and vendor payments for therapeutic and remedial assistance. The cost of legal expenses will be reimbursed if the adoptive child has special needs.

Can I adopt a child of a different race? Yes. In the home study, you will learn about the needs of children who are placed with a family of a different race. Federal law (the Multiethnic Placement Act) forbids discrimination in the placement of children on the basis of ethnicity.

Can I adopt a foster child from North Carolina? North Carolina welcomes inquiries from everyone interested in adopting a special needs child or sibling group. Most of our children may be placed anywhere in the United States.

How much background information will be shared with me? The law requires that the agency involved in the adoption provide specific information to the adopting parents at or before placement of the child. If known, the agency must provide the following:

• Age of biological parents
• Their race, nationality and ethnic background
• General physical appearance of biological parents
• Detailed medical histories of the child, biological parents, and their relatives

Do my child's birth parents have any legal rights? They do not retain any legal rights; however, some children may have an emotional bond with their birth parents and should stay in contact with them.

What information is available to adopted children who are curious about their background? No identifying information can be shared.  However, non-identifying information regarding a child's background and medical history can be shared.  More information .