Adopting a child is a big decision. But making this decision is just the beginning of the process of adoption. There is more like deciding the adoption agency and to prepare the legal documents required for adoption process.

Once you have made the decision to adopt a child, you need to finalize the adoption agency that you wish to adopt from. There are adoption agencies across India which are registered with the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA). You may visit the following link to find out the adoption agency that is close to you:

Search for Adoption Agency in India

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It is advisable that you register with an adoption agency close to your residence/ in the same town or city. This helps in your entire process adoption as one has to make atleast 3 – 4 visits to the adoption agency during the adoption procedure until the adoption is legalized. It also helps in the future as well with regards to the post adoption aspects.

Upon getting in touch with the adoption agency, they will share the details on the documentation for adoption with them. The adoption agency registers prospective parents for adoption only after they have completed the documentation for the registration.    

Legal Documents required for Adoption process in India

• Application form
• Birth proof of both spouses (school leaving certificate/ birth certificate/ or documents stating the birth dates for both of you) (Xerox attested).
• An attested Xerox copy of the last Educational qualification/ Degree Certificate of both.
• Marriage Certificate/Wedding card (Xerox attested)
• Divorce decree if applicable (Xerox attested)
• Self study Questioner/ Self assessment form (if provided by the agency):

Please feel free to fill out the same in detail in soft copy on the computer so that it gives you the freedom to edit and add as many details as possible. Please take a print of the final copy of the self assessment form once you have thoroughly filled it out.

Please mention as many details as possible about yourself as it gets easier for the social worker and the agency to get to know you better as an individual and as a couple as well.

• Investment certificates: LIC policies, NSCs, any property holding, house tax receipt or any other investments, etc. (Xerox attested copies)
• An attested Xerox copy of ration card/ Electron card (for residence Proof).
• Original Lab Reports of HIV, VDRL, Australia Antigen, H.B.
• Health Certificates of each spouse separately from your family Doctor. The Doctor should be MBBS or MD (original on the letter head/ on the form if provided by the doctor)
• Health Certificate of a child/children from pediatrician (if applicable, Blood tests are not required)
• A letter from the couple on plain paper mentioning the reason for their decision to adopt.
• Verification of employment and income (original on letter head). This letter should state duration of employment, designation held and annual salary and Income Tax papers. If self employed, letter on letter head should explain type of work and state annual income (Income Tax Assessment) or Certificate from Chartered Accountant or an Affidavit.
• Police Verification for husband and wife.
• Child care arrangement (for working adoptive mother) on plain paper with signature of husband and wife.
• Home Study Report from probation officer or social worker form local recognized adoption agency or Dept. of Social Welfare.
• Three references letters from close friends. Preferably on letter head (personal or professional) from references who know adoptive family in depth for a minimum of three years. (Format of the letter has been mentioned below)
• Undertaking by another couple on Rs. 100/- Stamp paper. It should be notarized (format attached). The undertaking letter has to be preferably from a close relative below the age of 40 yrs.
• Joint Color post card size photograph- 6 copies.
• Registration fee via cheque/ draft or the mode of payment specified by the agency.

Note:

• One Original set with 3 copies of each document is required. When original can’t be given submit attested
• Please submit one original and 3 Xerox sets in order.
• The number of Xerox sets requested by every agency may vary. Please confirm with the agency for the same and submit the number of Xerox sets accordingly.

Format of the reference letters: 

• A couple can give one common reference letter for the prospective adoptive couple
• The letter should mention your (husband and wife) full names.
• Length of time adoptive parents are known.
• How she/ he/ they know you (as a couple).

If a friend for one of you is giving a letter then he/ she can mention about how long he/ she knows you and that he/ she has known your spouse since your marriage)

• If a child is living in the family then the details of the child should also be mentioned (wherever applicable)
• Description of your personalities, martial and financial stability.
• Recommend you as an adoptive couple

Note:  Please make sure that the reference letters have the date, the reference giving person/ couple’s full names, their signatures and their address mentioned on the reference letter.

Format for the undertaking letter:

• The undertaking persons need to give their basic information i. e. their names, ages, address, education, occupation, income, their family members (husband/ wife/ children) and how they are related to the adoptive parents.
• If there is any unforeseen event – accident, death, illness, disability in the family then the undertaking persons would take responsibility as guardians of the adopted child.
• The undertaking letter has to be made on a stamp paper worth Rs. 100/-.
• It has to be signed by the both the persons giving the undertaking letter and then notarized.

There may be minor changes/ variation in the documents/ formats of the documents that a certain agency may ask for.

You may also refer to the CARA website for any reference regarding the documentation or the adoption agencies that could help you in your adoption procedure.

If you have any queries regarding the documents or finalizing the adoption agency, leave us a comment below or mail us at [email protected].

 Next upcoming article: Adoption procedure and the importance of a home study

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Article by Deepali Kulkarni

Deepali has a BA in sociology from Pune University; Masters in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai); PG Diploma in School Psychology from Janana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology. She has the experience of  working in the field of Family & Child Welfare since the last 15 yrs. She is currently a freelancer with 3 different adoption agencies. She is an adoptive parent herself.