India - How to Adopt a Child

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. Please visit local Adoption Coordination Agency in your area where the social worker will explain the process and take you through the formalities, paperwork and general preparation required for registration.
2. Please register for adoption with Indian Placement Agencies (RIPA) or Special Adoption Agency (SPA).
3. Social worker will visit the prospective adoptive parent home to make home study. This will happen within three months from registration.
4. Agency people will conduct a counselling session to understand the prospective parent.
5. The conclusion from the home study and counselling sessions is then reported to the honourable court
6. Once the preparation is over, agency intimates about child ready for adoption and shares the medical reports, physical examination report and other relevant details to the parents. Parents can meet the child once they are comfortable with the child.
7. Once parents are comfortable and selected their child, they will; have to sign set of documents.
8. A layer will submit prescribed set of documents before the court. Parents need to sign the petition in front of the court officer.
9. After signing, parents shall monitor the habits of the child under the care of a nursing staff.
10. Parents along with child need to attend the court hearing. Judge will ask few questions and also mention about the amount that needs to be invested in the name of the child from the judge.
11. Once the receipt of investment made is proved, judge shall pass the adoption orders.
12. Agency will submit follow up report for next two years to the court.

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Required Documents

• Adoption application
• 4 x 6 size photographs – 4 copies of husband and wife together
• Marriage certificate and proof of age
• Reason for adoption
• Latest HIV and Hepatitis B report of the couple
• Income certificate
• Proof of residence
• Investment details
• Reference letter from 3 people
• Any other document which may be required by the agency or the court
• IT returns
• Date of Birth proof (both parents)
• Educational Certificates (both parents)
• Undertaking letter (Affidavit by blood relation on who will take care in case of death of both parents. Blood relation has to be younger than parents)
• Child Care Plan (essay on how you will take care of child including the financial angle)
• Aadhaar Card

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Women & Child Development,
West Block 8, Wing 2,
1st Floor, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110066 (India)
Telephone Numbers:+91-11-26180194
E-mail : [email protected]

Eligibility

• A child in India can be adopted by an Indian citizen, NRI or a foreign citizen.
• In case a couple is adopting a child, they should have completed at least two years of stable marriage and should have a joint consensus for adoption of the child.
• The age difference between the child and the adoptive parents should not be less than 25 years.

Fees

The institute will charge fee for the number of days that the foster mother has cared for the baby. The Government declares per day charge and can vary a little from institute to institute.

Validity

Once adopted, the child becomes a family member legally.

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

After signing the petition for adoption, time will be as per hearing tenure. (1 to 2 months)

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
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Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Sum of parent's age should be less than 80 years
• If the applicant is single, her age must not be greater than 45 years
• Single men and live-in couples are not eligible to adopt

Need for the Document

• Adoption in India is overseen by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA) of 1956 specifically deal with the legal process of adopting children by a Hindu adult.
• As per law, only children more than 3 months can be adopted since the biological mother has a right to claim her child back in the first 3 months. After this period, she signs a bond giving up her rights over the child.

Information which might help

• Couples with three or more kids are not considered for adoption except in case of special-needs children.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

For more information, see the following links:

• Central Adoption Resource Authority
• Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA) in Wikipedia

Others

More information which might help people.