Although N.C.G.S. § 49A-1 says the child of a married couple who is conceived by artificial insemination is treated the same as any other child, there are no statutes that deal with the situation of an unmarried couple. For this reason, anyone considering the option of bearing a child through alternative insemination or donating sperm should consult a competent lawyer before proceeding, except in cases of anonymous sperm donation at a licensed medical facility.
A sperm donor may become obligated to support the child and may be granted visitation rights even if the parties enter an agreement to the contrary. Paternity tests approved by North Carolina courts are almost 100% accurate, so anonymity and the use of multiple donors provide little protection to either the sperm donor or the mother.