N.C. Gen. Stat. § 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 former 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; 2023-124, s. 1.3.)