Adoption is a life-changing decision that helps create loving families. Whether you’re adopting as a single parent or a married couple, if you’re like many prospective adoptive parents in North Carolina, you may be asking: “Is there an age limit for adoptive parents?” Whether you’ve initiated the adoption process or are still considering formalizing an existing relationship, understanding how age factors into the process is important.
At Mills Adoption Law in Raleigh, North Carolina, our family law attorney guides families through the complexities of adoption with care and compassion. Keep reading to learn more, then contact us at (919) 306-2899 to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
The North Carolina Adoption Process
Adoption for NC kids and babies and those seeking to adopt them involves the legal termination of the rights of birth parents and the placement of children with families who want to adopt them. Once finalized, adoptions establish the legal parental rights of the adopting parents.
Depending on the circumstances of the adoption, the legal processes could potentially include:
- Giving a child a new opportunity for a better life with an adoptive single parent or couple
- Terminating the parental rights of a child’s birth parents
- Giving a relative or a step-parent legal parenting rights to raise the child responsibly
- Permitting a child over 12 to choose adoption by a prospective adoptive parent
Foundational Requirements for an Adult Seeking to Adopt
- Minimum age: An adult must be at least 18 years old to adopt a child.
- Marital status: The state allows single individuals and married couples to adopt. However, if married, your spouse must also participate in the adoption.
- Residency: You must be a resident of North Carolina for a minimum of six consecutive months before filing an adoption petition. If you reside in another state, you can file a petition in NC to adopt a child who resides in North Carolina.
- Minimum Income Threshold: Anyone interested in adopting a child must demonstrate that they have the financial ability to provide for a child through stable employment and assets.
- Criminal background check: Adults entering the adoption process must undergo a thorough criminal history review. Specific convictions may disqualify them.
Adoption in NC: What is the Oldest Age You Can Adopt a Child?
The good news for hopeful parents in North Carolina is that there is no maximum age limit for adoption. North Carolina law encourages loving individuals and couples, regardless of their age, to provide nurturing homes for children waiting for stability, safety, and support. Whether you’re in your early 30s or considering adoption later in life, the law doesn’t impose an age cap.
However, while the law is inclusive, adoption agencies, birth parents, or specific circumstances may take age into account. For instance, agencies and other adoption professionals could consider factors such as an older adult’s health, life expectancy, and ability to care for a child at different stages of life, with the goal of upholding the best interests of the child.
If you’re an older adult concerned about being considered eligible to adopt NC kids, our family law attorney at Mills Adoption Law can provide insights and address age-related challenges. With more than 35 years of helping adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees, we understand these nuanced issues and know how to help you make your case.
Mills Adoption Law: Experience for What Matters Most – Family
At Mills Adoption Law, we recognize that families come in all shapes and sizes. Our founder, Bobby Mills, brings decades of experience and a deep passion for helping families build their futures. Whether you’re adopting an infant or a child out of foster care or formalizing a step-parent relationship, we tailor our approach to your unique situation.
Adopting later in life often involves additional questions, but it also brings unique benefits. Your years of experience, stability, and perspective make you an excellent candidate. If you’re ready to explore adoption, we’re here to help you anticipate challenges, guide you through legal requirements, and facilitate a smooth process.
Have you been searching for an “adoption attorney near me?”
Having represented all members of the adoption triad—adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees—our Raleigh adoption lawyer Bobby Mills has seen things and can anticipate problems other attorneys will not anticipate. Through his work on thousands of cases, he truly understands how to navigate the legal system and stand up for families. If you are seeking to adopt a child in North Carolina, contact him at (919) 306-2899, or complete the online form to schedule your free, 15-minute consultation.
Copyright © 2025. Mills Adoption Law. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Mills Adoption Law
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 306-2899
https://www.millsadoptionlaw.com/