There have been a few questions on the forums lately about adoption from India, and those have inspired me to post some general information about the process.

First, independent adoption is not allowed in the Indian system and any personal interaction between an individual overseas and an Indian agency involved in adoption is forbidden. An agency must be used, and the agency must be one designated an "Enlisted Foreign Adoption Agency" (EFAA) by the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA).

At the moment, there are 290 foreign agencies world-wide authorized to sponsor specific prospective adoptive parent to agencies within India. Click here for a complete list.

Indian agencies are required to place at least 50% of the children they find homes for within the country, exceptions being made for handicapped children, those with urgent/critical medical problems, those over 6 years of age and siblings.

Here is the priority system:

a. Indian families in India.
b. Indian families abroad.
c. One parent of Indian origin abroad.
d. Totally foreign.

Parents must be no less than 30-years old and no more than 55, and there are no residency requirements.

The fee in India is $3500, not including US-based expenses.

Here is a list of required dossier documents by Government Of India for consideration of an inter-country adoption application of Indian Child:

1. Home Study Report, valid for two years, of the foreign adoptive parents prepared by a professional worker.

2. Recent photographs of the adoptive family.

3. Marriage certificate of foreign adoptive parents.

4 Declaration concerning health of adoptive parents.

5. Certificate of medical fitness of adoptive parents duly certified by a medical doctor.

6. Declaration regarding financial status of foreign adoptive parents along with supporting documents including employers certificate, where applicable.

7. Employment certificate, if applicable of foreign adoptive parents.

8. Income Tax Assessment order of foreign adoptive parents.

9. Bank references.

10. Particulars of the properties owned by the foreign adoptive parents.

11. Declaration from foreign adoptive parents stating willingness to be appointed guardian of the child.

12. Undertaking from the social or child welfare enlisted agency sponsoring the foreigner to the effect that child would be legally adopted by the foreign adoptive parents according to the law of the country within a period not exceeding two years from the time of arrival of the child and as soon as the adoption is effected. Social or child welfare enlisted agency will send three certified copies of adoption order each to the social or child welfare agency in India through which the application for guardianship is processed for filing in the Court and one copy to Central Adoption Resources Agency, Ministry of Welfare.

13. Undertaking from the foreign adoptive parents that adopted child would be provided necessary education and upbringing according to the status of adoptive parents.

14. Undertaking from the social and child welfare enlisted agency that report relating to progress of the child along with his/her recent photograph would be sent quarterly during first two years and half yearly for the next three years in the prescribed performa through Indian's Diplomatic Missions abroad.

15. Power of Attorney from foreign adoptive parents in favour of offices of the social or child welfare agency in India which will be required to process the case and such Power of Attorney should authorise the Attorney to handle the cases on behalf of the foreigner in case the foreigner is not in a position to come to India.

16. Certificate from the enlisted social or child welfare agency sponsoring application of the foreigner to the effect that adoptive parents are permitted to adopt a child according to the law of their country.

17. Undertaking from the social or child welfare enlisted agency to the effect that in case of disruption of the family of the foreigner before legal adoption has been affected, it will take care of the child and find a suitable alternative placement for the child with the approval of Central Adoption Resource Agency. After seeking the necessary approval from CARA it will report alternative placement to the concerned court handling guardianship proceeding in the foreign country. And such information shall be passed on by the court to the Central Adoption Resource Agency.

18. Undertaking from the social or child welfare enlisted agency that it will reimburse all expenses to the concerned Indian Social or Child Welfare agency as fixed by competent court towards maintenance of the child and processing charge fees

All docs must be notarized, and the Notary must be attested.

Continued ...