Child Adoption Process in India 2025 – Adoption is becoming a more common way to build families in India and around the world. Many children are adopted because their birth parents cannot take care of them, or some parents want to give a loving home to children who do not have one. In India, adoption was once a sensitive topic, but now many people openly talk about it.
Adoption in India follows certain government rules to protect both the child and the adoptive parents. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), which is part of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, manages these rules for both local and international adoptions. This guide will help you understand how to adopt a child in India in 2025.
Understanding the Child Adoption Process in India
Adoption is a caring way to give a child a new family and a happy future. It is a legal process where a family accepts a child who is not biologically their own. Adoption gives children the love and safety they need to grow happily. Whether you are single or a couple, adoption can be a great way to start or expand your family.
Who Can Adopt a Child in India?
To adopt a child, you must meet certain conditions:
- You can be an Indian citizen, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), or a foreign citizen. Each has a slightly different adoption process.
- Everyone can adopt, no matter your gender or marital status.
- You should be at least 25 years older than the child you want to adopt.
- Couples must have been married for at least two years and both must agree to adopt.
- Your emotional, mental, and physical health should be stable.
- Your age should be between 25 and 55 years.
- You need to have enough income to support the child.
- Single men or women can adopt, but single men cannot adopt girl children.
Who Can Be Adopted?
A child can be adopted if:
- They are an orphan, abandoned, or legally given up for adoption.
- The Child Welfare Committee has approved them for adoption.
- If abandoned, parents or guardians have given up their rights, and the Child Welfare Committee confirms this.
- An orphan means the child has no legal parents or guardians to care for them.
What Parents Should Know Before Adopting
CARA has these guidelines for adoptive parents:
- You should have a stable financial situation.
- No serious health issues that can be life-threatening.
- Single women can adopt any child; single men cannot adopt girls.
- Couples with more than two children can only adopt special-needs children.
- Single parents should not be older than 55.
- You must provide love, care, and emotional support to the child.
- Creating a safe and happy home for the child is your responsibility.
- Basic needs like food, clothes, shelter, and healthcare must be met.
Documents Needed for Adoption
You will need to provide:
- Four recent photos of you (and your spouse if married)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of age
- Filled adoption application form
- Reason for adoption
- Recent HIV and Hepatitis B test reports
- Proof of residence
- Income certificate
- Reference letters from three people
- Details about your investments and financial status
Steps to Adopt a Child in India in 2025
Follow these simple steps:
- Register: Sign up with a Special Adoption Agency (SAA) or a Recognized Indian Placement Agency (RIPA). Social workers at these agencies can help you prepare your papers and understand the process.
- Counseling and Home Study: A social worker visits your home to see if you’re ready to adopt. They may ask you to attend counseling to understand your motivation and ability. CARA requires this study to be done within three months of registering.
- Child’s Referral: When a child is available for adoption, the agency informs you. They provide the child’s medical reports and other details. You can then spend time with the child to get comfortable.
- Acceptance: When you are happy, you sign papers to accept the child.
- File Petition: A lawyer prepares adoption paperwork, and you will appear in court to sign it before a judge.
- Pre-Adoption Foster Care: You can care for the child at a foster home to understand their routine before bringing them home.
- Court Hearing: You and the child will appear before a judge in a private session. The judge may ask questions and review investment details in the child’s name.
- Court Order: After reviewing all documents, the judge grants the adoption order.
- Follow-up: After adoption, the agency reports on the child’s wellbeing to the court for at least one or two years.
How Long Does Adoption Take?
Usually, adoption in India takes about 2 to 4 years. The longest wait is often for a child referral. If you are open to adopting boys or special-needs children, the wait time may be shorter.
What Laws Apply to Adoption in India?
Adoption laws in India depend on religion:
- Muslims, Christians, Parsis, and Jews do not have formal adoption laws but can become guardians under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
- Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs follow the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956.
- The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 covers adoption of abandoned or orphaned children.
- No specific law exists for foreign nationals or NRIs adopting in India; guidelines from 2015 apply.
Adoption is a wonderful way to give a child a better life while creating a family filled with love and care. If you are thinking about adoption, knowing these steps and rules can help you start your journey with confidence.