Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has been fully licensed by the state of North Carolina as a child-placing agency since 1948. We provide services in 46 counties in western North Carolina and welcome families of all faiths and ethnicities.
We believe that every child deserves to have a family to guide them through life. It is important to know that as you build your family through adoption, your journey does not end with the placement of a child. Our professional staff will provide ongoing support, guidance, and education to all members of the adoption circle for a lifetime.
We are available to provide comprehensive services as well as contractual services. As you explore adoption through Catholic Charities, you will find a variety of options and a sliding fee scale that will meet your family’s needs.
Adoption Program Update
At this time, we are happy to provide general adoption information, post-adoption placement support, and Confidential Intermediary services.
Our existing pool of waiting families is sufficient to meet our potential child placement needs, so at this time we are currently not accepting adoption applications.
We strive to provide comprehensive services to each member of the adoption triad. It is our goal that every person receives the very highest level of attention to meet their needs. To honor this commitment to our existing families, we will be happy to provide North Carolina adoption provider resource information to assist families who are new to the journey.
We invite you to visit our website regularly for updated information regarding the status of our program.
DOMESTIC ADOPTION
Who can adopt?
- Couples or individuals
- Must be a North Carolina resident for a minimum of 6 months
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- If married, must be married for a minimum of 2 years
How do I adopt?
The first step in our adoption process is to contact the adoption social worker to schedule a face-to-face consultation. During this visit you will learn more about adoption and our process. We will provide you with the application, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions that will help you make the best plan for your family.
In North Carolina, every family that adopts must have an approved pre-placement assessment. The assessment is the process by which the family engages with Catholic Charities staff to determine the readiness and preparedness to become an adoptive family. A key element of this process is the preparation of the family for placement, including education, support, and contact with other adoptive families. The assessment is completed within 90 days of the date your application is accepted for the pre-placement assessment process.
How am I matched?
Once your pre-placement assessment has been completed and approved, you are ready for the next steps in your adoption journey. You will complete a parent profile that can be shared with expectant parents.
Waiting time varies per family, and placement is not guaranteed. There are a variety of factors that determine how quickly you are matched including degrees of openness and flexibility your family is willing to consider.
ADOPTION SUPPORT
After building your family through adoption, you may experience some adjustments and challenges. Our professional staff is available as a resource for your family to provide counseling, information, referrals, and other supportive services to help your family overcome the challenges that may arise through your experiences with adoption.
CONFIDENTIAL INTERMEDIARY
Catholic Charities can act as a Confidential Intermediary (CI) to provide identifying and non-identifying information to adult adoptees and biological families. This service is available for those adoptions that were finalized through Catholic Charities, or any adoption completed in North Carolina.
There is a fee for providing identifying information.
For further information, please contact us at 704-370-3262 or email us.