- ImmigrationHelp
- January 9, 2023
The adoption of a child is an act of love, compassion, and commitment. When it comes to adopting a child, the first and foremost thing that you need to consider is whether you are ready for all this responsibility. If you have decided to adopt a child from India then there are some important things that you should keep in mind while adopting a child.
The Indian government has recently made many changes to the adoption laws. These changes are aimed at making it easier for international parents to adopt their children in India, but some of them also make things more complicated. It is important for NRI parents considering adoption to understand these new regulations so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not they should pursue this option for their child.
Complete Child Adoption Guidelines
The Indian government has issued guidelines for the adoption of Indian children by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Foreigners. According to these guidelines, the prospective adoptive parent must be residing in India for a minimum of 180 days before adopting a child.
Here is the list of documents required to adopt an intercountry adoptee:
How an NRI can Adopt a Child in India
The adoption process is regulated by the Central Authority and all applicants will be required to fulfill the eligibility criteria before being accepted for adoption. An NRI needs to get registered with the Central Authority, which requires that you have been living in India for at least two years, own your property, and have sufficient income (for example, if you earn less than Rs 1 lakh per year).
The process of adopting a child in India is quite simple. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined below:
Adoption-related Laws in India
In India, the process of adopting a child is governed by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, of 2000- This Act applies to all children in India irrespective of their religion or creed. However, adoption may not be as straightforward as it would be in the US where there are more options available for single individuals to adopt children without any legal complications. In some states, adoption laws are not properly established and hence are not clear on what basis one can adopt an orphaned child or how many people can be allowed on an adoption application form which makes it difficult for those wishing to adopt a child from elsewhere outside their country (like India) who do not have relatives living nearby.
The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956- This Act was enacted to regulate adoption in India. It defines “adoptive parents” as those who have been legally bound to take care of their child for at least one year before its birth or after it is abandoned by its biological parents. The law also deals with minimum age limits for adoption and registration of births or deaths related to any child registered under this act.
Major Inconveniences Arise Due to the Adoption-related Laws in India
The current adoption laws in India are not conducive to the process of adoption. This is because they are stringent, not child-friendly, bureaucratic, and time-consuming. The following are some major inconveniences due to these laws:
Child Adoption Tips
Due Diligence
Due diligence is a process by which the prospective adoptive parents and the adoption agency undertake to verify that all information provided by the birth parent(s) is accurate and complete. Due Diligence is solely the responsibility of each party involved in an adoption application, except where there are special circumstances such as:
Understanding the System
The adoption process in India can be broken down into three distinct phases:
Post-adoption support
When considering whether or not adoption is right for you, think about your family’s ability to care for a child. This includes factors such as
Choosing an Adoption Agency
The right choice can make all of your efforts worthwhile, but finding the best agency for you will not be easy. To help you out, here’s what to look for in an adoption agency:
Closing the deal
The process of adopting a child is not as simple as it may seem. Adopting a child from another country can be an arduous task, but with careful planning and preparation, you will have the opportunity to bring home your new family member.
The legal process of adoption begins with filing for parental rights with the state department of children and families (DCF). Once your application is approved, you will begin the pre-adoption counseling process in which you meet with social workers at DCF who help guide and support your decision-making throughout this time. Once this stage has been completed successfully by both parties involved for they to move forward on their end toward finalizing their adoption plans together as a family unit. Thereafter comes what’s known as “post-placement” where both parties are required by law if they wish to proceed further along with completing all necessary paperwork required by law such as birth certificates etcetera within no less than 60 days after the placement date has been set by parents/guardians involved themselves due process being followed correctly during all stages leading up until today’s present-day situation where certain regulations apply depending upon whether or not one wants immediate access
Things to Consider Before Deciding to Adopt a Child
When you are considering adopting a child, it’s important to consider the financial and emotional costs involved. Many factors can affect your decision, including;
Whether or not this will be something long-term (i.e., until adulthood) because adopting older children requires more planning than younger ones do; however there are some exceptions where these factors don’t apply so please consult with professionals who specialize in helping families adopt older children before making any final decisions about whether or not this would be right for any circumstances.
The child adoption process in India can be a long and complicated one, but it is not impossible. With the help of an experienced adoption agency and all the right documents, you are sure to get through this process with ease. We hope our complete guide helps you in making this decision.