N.C. Gen. Stat. § 48-2-101
Venue.
§ 48-2-101. Venue.
A petition for adoption may be filed with the clerk of the superior court in the county in which:
(1) A petitioner lives, or is domiciled, at the time of filing;
(2) The adoptee lives; or
(3) An office of the agency that placed the adoptee is located.