reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 48-4-102 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 4 - Adoption of a Minor Stepchild by Stepparent.|§ 48-4-102 - Consent to adoption of stepchild.

 48-4-102. Consent to adoption of stepchild.Except under circumstances described in G.S. 48-3-603, a petition to adopt a minor stepchild may be granted only if consent to the adoption has been executed by the adoptee if 12 or more years of age; and(1) The adoptee's parents as described in G.S. 48-3-601; and(2) Any guardian of the adoptee.The consent of an incompetent parent may be given pursuant to the procedures in G.S. 48-3-602. (1949, c. 300; 1957, c. 778, s. 5; 1969, c. 911, s. 6; 1971, c. 1093, s. 13; 1973, c. 1354, s. 5; 1983, c. 30; c. 454, ss. 2, 6; 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 1997-215, s. 11(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 48-4-105 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 4 - Adoption of a Minor Stepchild by Stepparent.|§ 48-4-105 - Visitation awards to grandparents pursuant to Chapter 50 of the General Statutes.

 48-4-105. Visitation awards to grandparents pursuant to Chapter 50 of the General Statutes.(a) An adoption under this Article does not terminate or otherwise affect visitation rights awarded to a biological grandparent of a minor pursuant to G.S. 50-13.2.(b) An adoption under this Article does not affect the right of a biological grandparent to petition for visitation rights pursuant to G.S. 50-13.2A or G.S. 50-13.5(j). (1949, c. 300; 1953, c. 824; 1955, c. 813, s. 5; 1963, c. 967; 1967, c. 619, s. 5; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1985, c. 67, ss. 1-4; c. 575, s. 1; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-5-100 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 5 - Adoption of Adults.|§ 48-5-100 - Application of Article.

 48-5-100. Application of Article.This Article shall apply to the adoption of adults, including married and emancipated minors. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-5-101 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 5 - Adoption of Adults.|§ 48-5-101 - Who may file for a petition to adopt an adult.

 48-5-101. Who may file for a petition to adopt an adult.(a) An adult may adopt another adult, except for the spouse of the adopting adult, pursuant to this Article.(b) If a prospective adoptive parent is married, both spouses must join in the petition unless the prospective adoptive parent is the adoptee's stepparent or unless the court waives this requirement for cause. (1967, c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-5-102 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 5 - Adoption of Adults.|§ 48-5-102 - Consent to adoption.

 48-5-102. Consent to adoption.(a) Consent to the adoption of an adult is required only of:(1) The adult being adopted; and(2) The spouse of the petitioner in an adoption by the adult's stepparent, unless the court waives this requirement for cause.(b) The consent of the adult being adopted must:(1) Be in writing and be signed and acknowledged before an individual authorized to administer oaths or take acknowledgments;(2) State that the adult agrees to assume toward the adoptive parent the legal relation of parent and child and to have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties of that relationship; and(3) State that the adult understands the consequences the adoption may have for rights of inheritance, property, or support, including the loss of nonvested inheritance rights which existed prior to the adoption and the acquisition of new inheritance rights.(c) The consent of the spouse of the petitioner in a stepparent adoption:(1) Must be in writing and be signed and acknowledged before an individual authorized to administer oaths or take acknowledgments; and(2) Must state that the spouse:a. Consents to the proposed adoption;b. Understands that the adoption may diminish the amount the spouse might take from the petitioner through intestate succession or by dissenting to the petitioner's will and may also diminish the amount of other entitlements that may become due the spouse and any other children of the petitioner through the petitioner; andc. Believes the adoption will be in the best interest of the adult being adopted and the prospective adoptive parent.(d) Anyone who gives a consent under this Article may revoke the consent at any time before the entry of the decree of adoption by delivering a written notice of revocation to the individual to whom the consent was given. If a petition to adopt has been filed, the notice of revocation shall also be filed with the clerk of court in the county where the petition is pending. (1967, c. 880, s. 3; 1969, c. 21, ss. 3-6; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1973, c. 849, s. 3; 1975, c. 91; 1981, c. 657; 1989, c. 208; c. 727, s. 219(4); 1993, c. 553, s. 14; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-5-103 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 5 - Adoption of Adults.|§ 48-5-103 - Adoption of incompetent adults.

 48-5-103. Adoption of incompetent adults.(a) If an adult being adopted has been adjudicated incompetent, then that adult's guardian shall have authority to consent in place of that adult.(b) The consent of the guardian must:(1) Be in writing and signed and acknowledged before an individual authorized to administer oaths or take acknowledgments;(2) State that the guardian understands that the adoption will terminate the legal relationship of parent and child between the adult being adopted and the adult's former parents, including all rights of the adult to inherit as a child from or through the former parents, unless the adoption is by a stepparent, in which case the adoption will terminate the legal relationship of parent and child between the adult and the parent who is not married to the stepparent but will have no effect on the relationship between the adult and the parent who is married to the stepparent;(3) State that the guardian understands that the adoption will create the legal relationship of parent and child between the adult and the petitioner, including the right of inheritance by, from, and through each other;(4) State that the guardian consents to the proposed adoption and believes the adoption will be in the best interest of the adult; and(5) State that the guardian understands that the adoption will not terminate the guardian's rights, duties, and powers.(c) In any adoption of an adult who has been adjudicated incompetent, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem other than the guardian to investigate and report to the court on the proposed adoption. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-6-100 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 6 - Adoption by a Former Parent.|§ 48-6-100 - Application of Article.

 48-6-100. Application of Article.This Article shall apply to the adoption of adoptees by a former parent. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-6-101 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 6 - Adoption by a Former Parent.|§ 48-6-101 - Readoption under other Articles.

 48-6-101. Readoption under other Articles.A former parent may readopt a minor adoptee pursuant to Article 3 of this Chapter or, if applicable, Article 4 of this Chapter. A former parent may readopt an adult adoptee pursuant to Article 5 of this Chapter. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-6-102 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 6 - Adoption by a Former Parent.|§ 48-6-102 - Readoption after a stepparent adoption.

 48-6-102. Readoption after a stepparent adoption.(a) In addition to the methods set out in G.S. 48-6-101, a former parent may petition pursuant to this section to readopt an adoptee adopted by a stepparent.(b) The petitioner's spouse shall not join the petition.(c) Consent to the readoption must be executed by:(1) The adoptee, if 12 or more years of age;(2) The petitioner's spouse, if any;(3) The adoptee's adoptive parent, if the adoptee is a minor;(4) The adoptee's parent who is or was the spouse of the adoptive parent, if the adoptee is a minor; and(5) Any guardian of the adoptee.(d) The consent executed by the adoptee shall conform to the requirements of G.S. 48-4-103(e).(e) The consent executed by the petitioner's spouse shall conform to the requirements of G.S. 48-5-102(c).(f) The consent executed by the adoptive parent shall conform to the requirements of G.S. 48-4-103(b).(g) The consent of the adoptee's parent who was the spouse of the adoptive parent shall conform to the requirements of G.S. 48-4-103(a) except for those required by G.S. 48-4-103(a)(2)b.(h) A consent executed by the guardian of a minor adoptee shall conform to the requirements of G.S. 48-4-103(c).(i) An adoption under this section does not affect the relationship between the adoptee and the parent who was married to the adoptive parent.(j) An adoption under this section does not terminate or otherwise affect any existing order of custody. (1949, c. 300; 1983, c. 454, s. 6; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-9-101 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 9 - Confidentiality of Records and Disclosure of Information.|§ 48-9-101 - Records defined.

 48-9-101. Records defined.(a) For purposes of this Article, "records" means any petition, affidavit, consent or relinquishment, transcript or notes of testimony, deposition, power of attorney, report, decree, order, judgment, correspondence, document, invoice, receipt, certificate, or other printed, written, microfilmed or microfiched, video-taped or tape-recorded material or electronic data processing records regardless of physical form or characteristics pertaining to a proceeding for adoption under this Chapter.(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2010-116, s. 2, effective October 1, 2010.  (1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2007-262, s. 1; 2010-116, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-9-105 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 9 - Confidentiality of Records and Disclosure of Information.|§ 48-9-105 - Action for release of identifying and other nonidentifying information.

 48-9-105. Action for release of identifying and other nonidentifying information.(a) Any information necessary for the protection of the adoptee or the public in or derived from the records, including medical information not otherwise obtainable, may be disclosed to an individual who files a written motion in the cause before the clerk of original jurisdiction. In hearing the petition, the court shall give primary consideration to the best interest of the adoptee, but shall also give due consideration to the interests of the members of the adoptee's original and adoptive family.(b) The movant must serve a copy of the motion, with written proof of service, upon the Department and the agency that prepared the report for the court. The clerk shall give at least five days' notice to the Department and the agency of every hearing on this motion, whether the hearing is before the clerk or a judge of the district court; and the Department and the agency shall be entitled to appear and be heard in response to the motion.(c) In determining whether cause exists for the release of the name or identity of an individual, the court shall consider:(1) The reason the information is sought;(2) Any procedure available for satisfying the petitioner's request without disclosing the name or identity of another individual, including having the court appoint a representative to contact the individual and request specific information;(3) Whether the individual about whom identifying information is sought is alive;(4) To the extent known, the preference of the adoptee, the adoptive parents, the adoptee's parents at birth, and other members of the adoptee's original and adoptive families, and the likely effect of disclosure on these individuals;(5) The age, maturity, and expressed needs of the adoptee;(6) The report or recommendation of any individual appointed by the court to assess the request for identifying information; and(7) Any other factor relevant to an assessment of whether the benefit to the petitioner of releasing the information sought will be greater than the benefit to any other individual of not releasing the information.(d) An individual who files a motion under this section may also ask the court to authorize the release by the State Registrar of a certified copy of the adoptee's original certificate of birth. (1949, c. 300; 1985, c. 448; 1995, c. 88, s. 6; 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-9-106 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 9 - Confidentiality of Records and Disclosure of Information.|§ 48-9-106 - Release of original certificate of birth.

 48-9-106. Release of original certificate of birth.Upon receipt of a certified copy of a court order issued pursuant to G.S. 48-9-105 authorizing the release of an adoptee's original certificate of birth, the State Registrar shall give the individual who obtained the order a copy of the original certificate of birth with a certification that the copy is a true copy of a record that is no longer a valid certificate of birth. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-9-108 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 9 - Confidentiality of Records and Disclosure of Information.|§ 48-9-108 - Restoration of original birth certificates if a decree of adoption is set aside.

 48-9-108. Restoration of original birth certificates if a decree of adoption is set aside.If a final decree of adoption is set aside, the court shall send a certified copy of the order within 10 days after it becomes final to the State Registrar if the adoptee was born in this State or to the appropriate official responsible for issuing birth certificates or their equivalent if the adoptee was not born in this State. The court shall also send a copy to the Division. If the adoptee desires to have the adoptive name shown on the original birth certificate when it is restored, the order must include this directive. Upon receipt of such an order, the State Registrar shall seal the certificate issued under this section and restore the adoptee's original certificate of birth. This sealed file may subsequently be opened only by direction of a valid court order pursuant to G.S. 48-9-105 and G.S. 48-9-106. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-9-109 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 9 - Confidentiality of Records and Disclosure of Information.|§ 48-9-109 - Certain disclosures authorized.

 48-9-109. Certain disclosures authorized.Nothing in this Article shall be interpreted or construed to prevent:(1) An employee of a court, agency, or any other person from:a. Inspecting permanent, confidential, or sealed records, other than records maintained by the State Registrar, for the purpose of discharging any obligation under this Chapter.b. Disclosing the name of the court where a proceeding for adoption occurred, or the name of an agency that placed an adoptee, to an individual described in G.S. 48-9-104(a) who can verify his or her identity.c. Disclosing or using information contained in permanent and sealed records, other than records maintained by the State Registrar, for statistical or other research purposes as long as the disclosure will not result in identification of a person who is the subject of the information and subject to any further conditions the Department may reasonably impose.d. Giving a file-stamped copy of a document to a person, or to the legal representative of a person, who has filed the document in an adoption proceeding.(2) In agency placements, a parent or guardian placing a child for adoption and the adopting parents from authorizing an agency to release information or from releasing information to each other that could reasonably be expected to lead directly to the identity of an adoptee, an adoptive parent of an adoptee, or an adoptee's placing parent or guardian. The consent to the release of identifying information shall be in writing and signed prior to the adoption by any placing parent or guardian and the adopting parents and acknowledged under oath in the presence of an individual authorized to administer oaths or take acknowledgments. Any consent to release identifying information shall be filed under G.S. 48-2-305.(3) The Division from sharing information from its records regarding the identity of birth parents with an agency acting as a confidential intermediary pursuant to G.S. 48-9-104(b), if the information is needed by the agency to carry out its duties as a confidential intermediary. Any information disclosed to the agency pursuant to this subdivision shall not be redisclosed by the agency except as allowed by G.S. 48-9-104(b).  (1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2001-150, s. 13; 2007-262, s. 4; 2012-16, s. 9; 2019-172, s. 9.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-10-101 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 10 - Prohibited Practices in Connection with Adoption.|§ 48-10-101 - Prohibited activities in placement.

 48-10-101. Prohibited activities in placement.(a) No one other than a person or entity specified in G.S. 48-3-201 may place a minor for adoption. No one other than a person or entity specified in G.S. 48-3-201, or an adoption facilitator, may solicit potential adoptive parents for children in need of adoption. No one other than an agency or an adoption facilitator, or an individual with a completed preplacement assessment that contains a finding that the individual is suitable to be an adoptive parent or that individual's immediate family, may solicit for adoption a potential adoptee.(b) No one other than a county department of social services, an adoption facilitator, or an agency licensed by the Department in this State may advertise in any periodical or newspaper, or by radio, television, or other public medium, that any person or entity will place or accept a child for adoption. For purposes of this section, "other public medium" includes the use of any computerized system, including electronic mail, Internet site, Internet profile, or any similar medium of communication provided via the Internet.(b1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, this Article shall not prohibit a person from advertising that the person desires to adopt. This subsection shall apply only to a person with a current completed preplacement assessment finding that person suitable to be an adoptive parent. The advertisement may be published only in a periodical or newspaper or on radio, television, cable television, or the Internet. The advertisement shall include a statement that (i) the person has a completed preplacement assessment finding that person suitable to be an adoptive parent, (ii) identifies the name of the agency that completed the preplacement assessment, and (iii) identifies the date the preplacement assessment was completed. Any advertisement under this subsection may state whether the person is willing to provide lawful expenses as permitted by G.S. 48-10-103.(c) A person who violates subsection (a), (b), or (b1) of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.(d) The district court may enjoin any person from violating this section.  (1975, c. 335, s. 2; 1981, c. 275, s. 6; 1993, c. 539, s. 413; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2001-150, s. 14; 2016-115, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-10-102 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 10 - Prohibited Practices in Connection with Adoption.|§ 48-10-102 - Unlawful payments related to adoption.

 48-10-102. Unlawful payments related to adoption.(a) Except as provided in G.S. 48-10-103, a person or entity may not pay or give, offer to pay or give, or request, receive or accept any money or anything of value, directly or indirectly, for:(1) The placement of a minor for adoption;(2) The consent of a parent, a guardian, or an agency to the adoption of a minor;(3) The relinquishment of a minor to an agency for purposes of adoption; or(4) Assisting a parent or guardian in locating or evaluating a potential adoptive parent or in transferring custody of a minor to the adoptive parent.(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. For each subsequent violation, a person is guilty of a Class H felony which may include a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).(c) The district court may enjoin any person or entity from violating this section. (1975, c. 335, s. 1; 1991, c. 335, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, ss. 412, 1264; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 457, s. 2.)
NC Gen Stat § 48-10-103 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 48 - Adoptions|Article 10 - Prohibited Practices in Connection with Adoption.|§ 48-10-103 - Lawful payments related to adoption.

 48-10-103. Lawful payments related to adoption.(a) An adoptive parent, or another person acting on behalf of an adoptive parent, may pay the reasonable and actual fees and expenses for:(1) Services of an agency in connection with an adoption;(2) Medical, hospital, nursing, pharmaceutical, traveling, or other similar expenses incurred by a mother or her child incident to the pregnancy and birth or any illness of the adoptee;(3) Counseling services for a parent or the adoptee that are directly related to the adoption and are provided by a licensed psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical mental health counselor, licensed or certified social worker, fee-based practicing pastoral counselor or other licensed clinical mental health counselor, or an employee of an agency;(4) Ordinary living expenses of a mother during the pregnancy and for no more than six weeks after the birth;(5) Expenses incurred in ascertaining the information required under G.S. 48-3-205 about an adoptee and the adoptee's biological family;(6) Legal services, court costs, and traveling or other administrative expenses connected with an adoption, including any legal service connected with the adoption performed for a parent who consents to the adoption of a minor or relinquishes the minor to an agency; and(7) Preparation of the preplacement assessment and the report to the court.(b) A birth parent, or another person acting on the parent's behalf, may receive or accept payments authorized in subsection (a) of this section; or a provider of a service listed in subsection (a) of this section may receive or accept payments for that service.(c) A payment authorized by subsection (a) of this section may not be made contingent on the placement of the minor for adoption, relinquishment of the minor, consent to the adoption, or cooperation in the completion of the adoption. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, if the adoption is not completed, a person who has made payments authorized by subsection (a) of this section may not recover them; but neither is this person liable for any further payment unless the person has agreed in a signed writing with a provider of a service to make this payment regardless of the outcome of the proceeding for adoption.(d) A prospective adoptive parent may seek to recover a payment if the parent or other person receives or accepts it with the fraudulent intent to prevent the proposed adoption from being completed.(e) An agency may charge or accept a reasonable fee or other compensation from prospective adoptive parents. In assessing a fee or charge, the agency may take into account the income of adoptive parents and may use a sliding scale related to income in order to provide services to persons of all incomes.  (1975, c. 335, s. 1; 1991, c. 335, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, ss. 412, 1264; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 457, s. 2; 2001-487, s. 40(c); 2019-240, s. 3(b).)