\nA child support hearing officer who is properly qualified and designated under this Article has the following authority and responsibilities in all child support cases:\n(1) To conduct hearings and to ensure that the parties' due process rights are protected;\n(2) To take testimony and establish a record;\n(3) To evaluate evidence and make decisions regarding the establishment or enforcement of child support orders;\n(4) To accept and approve voluntary acknowledgements of support liability and stipulated agreements setting the amount of support obligations;\n(5) To accept and approve voluntary acknowledgements and affirmations of paternity;\n(6) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, to enter child support orders that have the same force and effect as orders entered by a district court judge;\n(7) To enter temporary child support orders pending the resolution of unusual or complicated issues by a district court judge;\n(8) To enter default orders; and\n(9) To subpoena witnesses and documents. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 993, s. 1.)
North Carolina Legal Code
§ 50.35
Source: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_50.html· Version 2026