reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-606 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-606 - Decree of adoption.

 48-2-606. Decree of adoption.(a) A decree of adoption must state at least:(1) The name and gender of each petitioner for adoption;(2) Whether the petitioner is married, a stepparent, or single;(3) The name by which the adoptee is to be known;(4) Information to be incorporated in a new standard certificate of birth to be issued by the State Registrar;(5) The adoptee's date and place of birth, if known, or as determined under subsection (b) of this section in the case of an adoptee born outside the United States;(6) The effect of the decree of adoption as set forth in G.S. 48-1-106; and(7) That the adoption is in the best interest of the adoptee.(b) In stating the date and place of birth of an adoptee born outside the United States, the court shall do each of the following:(1) Enter the date of birth as stated in the certificate of birth from the country of origin, the United States Department of State's report of birth abroad, or the documents of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service or a date of birth based upon medical evidence by affidavit or testimony as to the probable chronological age of the adoptee and other evidence the court finds appropriate to consider.(2) Enter the place of birth as stated in the certificate of birth from the country of origin, the United States Department of State's report of birth abroad, or the documents of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service or, if the exact place of birth is unknown, enter the information that is known, including the country of origin.(3) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-172, s. 5, effective October 1, 2019.(c) A decree of adoption must not contain the name of a former parent of the adoptee.  (1949, c. 300; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2019-172, s. 5.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-2-607 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 2 - General Adoption Procedure.|§ 48-2-607 - Appeals.

 48-2-607. Appeals.(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, after the final order of adoption is entered, no party to an adoption proceeding nor anyone claiming under such a party may question the validity of the adoption because of any defect or irregularity, jurisdictional or otherwise, in the proceeding, but shall be fully bound by the order. No adoption may be attacked either directly or collaterally because of any procedural or other defect by anyone who was not a party to the adoption. The failure on the part of the court or an agency to perform duties or acts within the time required by the provisions of this Chapter shall not affect the validity of any adoption proceeding.(b) A party to an adoption proceeding may appeal a final decree of adoption entered by a clerk of superior court to district court by giving notice of appeal as provided in G.S. 1-301.2. A party to an adoption proceeding may appeal a judgment or order entered by a judge of district court by giving notice of appeal as provided in G.S. 1-279.1.(c) A parent or guardian whose consent or relinquishment was obtained by fraud or duress may, within six months of the time the fraud or duress is or ought reasonably to have been discovered, move to have the decree of adoption set aside and the consent declared void. A parent or guardian whose consent was necessary under this Chapter but was not obtained may, within six months of the time the omission is or ought reasonably to have been discovered, move to have the decree of adoption set aside. Any action for damages against an adoptee or the adoptive parents for fraud or duress in obtaining a consent must be brought within six months of the time the fraud or duress is or ought reasonably to have been discovered. (1949, c. 300; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 982; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1999-216, s. 11.1.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-100 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-100 - Application of Article.

 48-3-100. Application of Article.This Article shall apply to the adoption of minors by adults who are not their stepparents. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-201 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-201 - Who may place minors for adoption.

 48-3-201. Who may place minors for adoption.(a) Only the following may place the minor for adoption:(1) An agency,(2) A guardian,(3) Both parents acting jointly, ifa. Both parents are married to each other and living together, orb. One parent has legal custody of a minor and the other has physical custody but neither has both, or(4) A parent with legal and physical custody of a minor, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection.(b) A parent, guardian, or agency that places a minor directly for adoption shall execute a consent to the minor's adoption pursuant to Part 6 of this Article.(c) A parent or guardian of a minor who wants an agency to place the minor for adoption must execute a relinquishment to the agency pursuant to Part 7 of this Article before the agency can place the minor.(d) An agency having legal and physical custody of a minor may place the minor for adoption at any time after a relinquishment is executed by anyone as permitted by G.S. 48-3-701. The agency may place the minor for adoption even if other consents are required before an adoption can be granted, unless an individual whose consent is required notifies the agency in writing of the individual's objections before the placement. The agency shall act promptly after accepting a relinquishment to obtain all other necessary consents, relinquishments, or terminations of any guardian's authority pursuant to Chapter 35A of the General Statutes or parental rights pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes. (1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1997-215, s. 11(b); 1998-202, s. 13(j).)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-202 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-202 - Direct placement for adoption.

 48-3-202. Direct placement for adoption.(a) In a direct placement, a parent or guardian must personally select a prospective adoptive parent, but a parent or guardian may obtain assistance from another person or entity, or an adoption facilitator, in locating or evaluating a prospective adoptive parent, subject to the limitations of Article 10 of this Chapter.(b) Information about a prospective adoptive parent shall be provided to a prospective placing parent or guardian by the prospective adoptive parent, the prospective adoptive parent's attorney, or a person or entity assisting the parent or guardian. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, this information shall include the preplacement assessment prepared pursuant to Part 3 of this Article, and may include additional information requested by the parent or guardian. The agency preparing the preplacement assessment may redact from the preplacement assessment the information described in G.S. 48-3-303(c)(12).  (1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2001-150, s. 6; 2015-54, s. 6.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-203 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-203 - Agency placement adoption.

 48-3-203. Agency placement adoption.(a) An agency may acquire legal and physical custody of a minor for purposes of adoptive placement only by means of a relinquishment pursuant to Part 7 of this Article or by a court order terminating the rights and duties of a parent or guardian of the minor.(b) An agency shall give any individual, upon request, a written statement of the services it provides, its procedure for selecting a prospective adoptive parent for a minor, including the role of the minor's parent or guardian in the selection process, and the procedure for an agency identified adoption and the disclosures permitted under G.S. 48-9-109. This statement shall include a schedule of any fee or expenses charged or required to be paid by the agency and a summary of the provisions of this Chapter that pertain to the requirements and consequences of a relinquishment and to the selection of a prospective adoptive parent.(c) An agency may notify the parent when a placement has occurred and when an adoption decree is issued.(d) An agency may place a minor for adoption only with an individual for whom a favorable preplacement assessment has been prepared. Placement shall be made as follows:(1) If the agency has agreed to place the minor with the prospective adoptive parent selected by the parent or guardian, the minor shall be placed with the individual selected by the parent or guardian.(2) If the agency has not agreed to place the minor with the prospective adoptive parent selected by the parent or guardian, the minor shall be placed with the prospective adoptive parent selected by the agency on the basis of the preplacement assessment. The selection may not be delegated, but may be based on criteria requested by a parent who relinquishes the child to the agency.(d1) A minor who is in the custody or placement responsibility of a county department of social services shall not be placed with a selected prospective adoptive parent prior to the completion of an investigation of the individual's criminal history pursuant to G.S. 48-3-309 or G.S. 131D-10.3A and, based on the criminal history, a determination as to the individual's fitness to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children.(e) In addition to the authority granted in G.S. 131D-10.5, the Social Services Commission may adopt rules for placements by agencies consistent with the purposes of this Chapter.(f) An agency may release identifying information as provided in G.S. 48-9-104. (1949, c. 300; 1953, c. 906; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 911, s. 7; c. 982; 1975, c. 702, ss. 1-3; 1977, c. 879, s. 5; 1985, c. 758, ss. 10, 11; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1998-229, s. 13; 2001-150, s. 7.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-204 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-204 - Recruitment of adoptive parents.

 48-3-204. Recruitment of adoptive parents.(a) The Social Services Commission may adopt rules requiring agencies to adopt and follow appropriate recruitment plans for prospective adoptive parents.(b) The Division may maintain a statewide photo-listing service for all agencies within this State as a means of recruiting adoptive parents for minors who have been legally freed for adoption.(c) Agencies and the Division shall cooperate with similar agencies in other states, and with national adoption exchanges in an effort to recruit suitable adoptive parents. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-206 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-206 - Affidavit of parentage.

 48-3-206. Affidavit of parentage.(a) To assist the court in determining that a direct placement was valid and all necessary consents have been obtained, the parent or guardian who placed the minor shall execute an affidavit setting out names, last known addresses, and marital status of the minor's parents or possible parents. If the placing parent or guardian is unavailable to execute the affidavit, the affidavit may be prepared by a knowledgeable individual who shall sign the affidavit and indicate the source of the individual's knowledge.(b) In an agency placement, the agency shall obtain from at least one individual who relinquishes a minor to the agency an affidavit setting out the information required in subsection (a) of this section. This affidavit is not necessary when the agency acquires legal and physical custody of a minor for purposes of adoptive placement by a court order terminating the parental rights of a parent or guardian. (1949, c. 300; 1977, c. 879, s. 6; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2001-208, s. 14; 2001-487, s. 101.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-207 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-207 - Interstate placements.

 48-3-207. Interstate placements.An interstate placement of a minor for purposes of adoption shall comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Article 38 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes. (1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1998-202, s. 13(n).)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-301 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-301 - Preplacement assessment required.

 48-3-301. Preplacement assessment required.(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, placement of a minor may occur only if a written preplacement assessment:(1) Has been completed or updated within the 18 months immediately preceding the placement; and(2) Contains a finding that the individual who is the subject of the assessment is suitable to be an adoptive parent, either in general or for a specific minor.(b) A preplacement assessment is not required in an independent adoption when a prospective adoptive parent is a grandparent, full or half sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, or great-grandparent of the minor.(c) If a direct placement is made in violation of this section:(1) The prospective adoptive parent shall request any preplacement assessment already commenced to be expedited, and if none has been commenced, shall obtain a preplacement assessment from an agency as authorized by G.S. 48-1-109; in either case, the assessment shall include the fact and date of placement;(2) The court may not enter a decree of adoption until both a favorable preplacement assessment and a report to the court have been completed and filed, and the court may not order a report to the court for at least 30 days after the preplacement assessment has been completed; and(3) If the person who placed the minor executes a consent before receiving a copy of the preplacement assessment, G.S. 48-3-608 shall determine the time within which that person may revoke.  (1949, c. 300; 1957, c. 778, s. 2; 1967, c. 880, s. 2; 1987, c. 716, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 410; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1997-215, s. 19(a); 2015-54, s. 7.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-302 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-302 - Request for preplacement assessment.

 48-3-302. Request for preplacement assessment.(a) An individual seeking to adopt may request a preplacement assessment at any time by an agency authorized by G.S. 48-1-109 to prepare preplacement assessments.(b) An individual requesting a preplacement assessment need not have located a prospective adoptee when the request is made.(c) An individual may have more than one preplacement assessment or may request that an assessment, once initiated, not be completed.(d) If an individual is seeking to adopt a minor from a particular agency, the agency may require the individual to be assessed by its own employee, even if the individual has already had a favorable preplacement assessment completed by another agency.(e) If an individual requesting a preplacement assessment has identified a prospective adoptive child and has otherwise been unable to obtain a preplacement assessment, the county department of social services must, upon request, prepare or contract for the preparation of the preplacement assessment. As used in this subsection, "unable to obtain a preplacement assessment" includes the inability to obtain a preplacement assessment at the fee the county department of social services is permitted to charge the individual. Except as provided in this subsection, no agency is required to conduct a preplacement assessment unless it agrees to do so. (1949, c. 300; 1957, c. 778, s. 2; 1967, c. 880, s. 2; 1987, c. 716, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 410; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1997-215, s. 15.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-304 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-304 - Fees for preplacement assessment.

 48-3-304. Fees for preplacement assessment.(a) An agency that prepares a preplacement assessment may charge a reasonable fee for doing so, even if the individual being assessed requests that it not be completed. No fee may be charged except pursuant to a written agreement which must be signed by the individual to be charged prior to the beginning of the assessment. The fee agreement may not be based on the outcome of the assessment or any adoption.(b) An assessment fee is subject to review by the court pursuant to G.S. 48-2-602 and G.S. 48-2-603 if the person who is assessed files a petition to adopt.(c) The Department shall set the maximum fees, based on the individual's ability to pay and other factors, which may be charged by county departments of social services. The Department shall require waiver of fees for those unable to pay. Fees collected under this section shall be applied to the costs of preparing preplacement assessments and shall be used by the county department of social services to supplement and not to supplant appropriated funds. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-305 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-305 - Agency disposition of preplacement assessments.

 48-3-305. Agency disposition of preplacement assessments.(a) The agency shall give a copy of any completed or incomplete preplacement assessment to the individual who was the subject of the assessment. If the assessment contains a finding that an individual is not suitable to be an adoptive parent, the agency shall contemporaneously file the original with the Division.(b) The agency shall retain a copy of a completed or incomplete preplacement assessment for at least five years. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-306 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-306 - Favorable preplacement assessments.

 48-3-306. Favorable preplacement assessments.An individual who receives a preplacement assessment containing a finding that the individual is suitable to be an adoptive parent shall provide a copy of the assessment to any person or agency considering the placement of a minor with the individual for adoption and shall also attach a copy of the assessment to any petition to adopt. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-307 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-307 - Assessments completed after placement.

 48-3-307. Assessments completed after placement.(a) If a placement occurs before a preplacement assessment is completed, the prospective adoptive parent shall deliver a copy of the assessment when completed, whether favorable or unfavorable, to the parent or guardian who placed the minor. A prospective adoptive parent, who cannot after the exercise of due diligence personally locate the parent or guardian who placed the minor, may deposit a copy of the preplacement assessment in the United States mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the address of the parent or guardian given in the consent, and the date of receipt by the parent or guardian for purposes of G.S. 48-3-608 shall be deemed to be the date of delivery or last attempted delivery.(b) If a petition for adoption is filed before the preplacement assessment is completed, the prospective adoptive parent shall attach to the petition an affidavit explaining why the assessment has not been completed and, upon completion of the assessment, shall file it with the court in which the petition is pending.(c) A prospective adoptive parent shall file or cause to be filed a certificate indicating that the prospective adoptive parent has delivered a copy of the assessment to the parent or guardian who placed the minor for adoption. (1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2001-150, s. 9.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-308 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-308 - Response to unfavorable preplacement assessment.

 48-3-308. Response to unfavorable preplacement assessment.(a) Each agency shall have a procedure for allowing an individual who has received an unfavorable preplacement assessment to have the assessment reviewed by the agency. In addition to the authority in G.S. 131D-10.5, the Social Services Commission shall have authority to adopt rules implementing this section.(b) An individual who receives an unfavorable preplacement assessment may, after exhausting the agency's procedures for internal review, prepare and file a written response with the Division and the agency. The Division shall attach the response to the unfavorable assessment.(c) The Division shall acknowledge receipt of the response but shall have no authority to take any action with respect to the response.(d) If an unfavorable preplacement assessment is completed and filed with the Division and a minor has been placed with a prospective adoptive parent who is the subject of the unfavorable assessment, the Division shall notify the county department of social services, which shall take appropriate action.(e) An unfavorable preplacement assessment and any response filed with the Division under this section shall not be public records as set forth in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-401 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-401 - "Health care facility" and "attending practitioner" defined.

 48-3-401. "Health care facility" and "attending practitioner" defined.As used in this Article:(1) "Health care facility" includes a hospital and maternity home; and(2) "Attending practitioner" includes a physician, licensed nurse, or other licensed professional provider of health care who assists in a birth. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-402 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-402 - Authorization required to transfer physical custody.

 48-3-402. Authorization required to transfer physical custody.(a) A health care facility or attending practitioner who has physical custody may release a minor for the purpose of adoption to a prospective adoptive parent or agency not legally entitled to the custody of the minor if, in the presence of an employee of the health care facility or the attending practitioner:(1) A parent, guardian, or other person or entity having legal custody of the minor signs an authorization of the transfer of physical custody; and(2) The authorization states that the release is for the purpose of adoption.(b) The health care facility or attending practitioner shall retain the authorization described in subsection (a) of this section for at least one year. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-3-501 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 3 - Adoption of Minors.|§ 48-3-501 - Petitioner entitled to custody in direct placement adoptions.

 48-3-501. Petitioner entitled to custody in direct placement adoptions.Unless the court orders otherwise, when a parent or guardian places the adoptee directly with the petitioner, the petitioner acquires that parent's or guardian's right to legal and continuing physical custody of the adoptee and becomes a person responsible for the care and support of the adoptee, after the earliest of:(1) The execution of consent by the parent or guardian who placed the adoptee;(2) The filing of a petition for adoption by the petitioner; or(3) The execution of a document by a parent or guardian having legal and physical custody of a minor temporarily transferring custody to the petitioner, pending the execution of a consent. (1949, c. 300; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)