India | Faith International Adoptions

Starting in 2012, India adoptions has entered into a new phase with implementation of the new system overseen by the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA). CARA introduced the new adoption guidelines in mid of 2011 and starts accepting new applications for intercountry adoption in January of 2012. The new system is aimed to create a more streamline and centralized adoption procedure, in which CARA will be responsible for searching and matching the child with prospective adoptive parents.

The adoption takes about 14 – 16 months respectively. Children are available in both gender, but females are more popular. There is option to adopt non-special-needs children while special-needs adoptions will receive more priority and expeditious services from Indian authorities. Depending on ages of the adoptive parents, families can adopt children under or above 3 years old.

Faith International is now accepting new applications for India Adoptions. You are welcome to contact us for questions about the program and for assistance to get started.

Check out the latest posts on India adoption to learn more about the program.

India is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore, all adoptions between India and the United States must meet requirements of the Convention and the U.S. law implementing the Convention. You must first be found eligible to be an adoptive parent by the U.S. Government by filling Form I-800A with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In addition to requirements by the Hague Convention and the U.S. Government, India also has the following eligibility requirements for prospective adoptive parents (PAPs):

No child may be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable marital relationship.
Couples in live-relationships are not eligible to adopt a child
To adopt a child in the age group of 0-3 years, the maximum composite age of the PAP should be 90 years wherein the individual age of the PAPs should not be less than 25 years and more than 50 years.
To adopt children above 3 years of age, the maximum compiste age of the PAPs should be 105 years wherein the individual age of the PAPs should not be less than 25 years and more than 55 years.
In case of single PAP desires to adopt, he or she should not be less than 30 years of age and shall not be above the age of 50 years. The maximum age shall be 45 years to adopt children in the age group of 0-3 years and 50 years for adopting children above 3 years.
The PAPs should have adequate financial resources to provide a good upbringing to the child.
The PAPs should have good health and should not be suffering from any contagious or terminal disease or any such mental or physical condition, which many prevent them from taking care of the child.
Adoption of a second child is permissible only when the legal adoption of the first child has been finalized, but this is not applicable in case of siblings.
An un-married or single male person is not permitted to adopt a girl child.

Source: Guidelines Governing the Adoption of Children, 2011 – Ministry of Women and Children Development

An adoption from India must follow a specific process designed to meet the requirements by Hague and CARA. This process will follow 10 primary steps. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements. Currently, an adoption from India is estimated to complete in 14-16 months.

Apply with Faith International
Complete adoption homestudy report
File I-800A with USCIS to be found eligible to adopt
Apply with CARA to be found eligible to adopt
Be matched with a child and send adoption dossier to designated RIPA
File I-800 with USCIS for the child to be found eligible for adoption
CARA and India State Court reviews and approves the case
Travel to India to receive your child and gain legal custody
Bring your child home and re-adopt
Provide post-placement reports.

Application Fee	$350
Admin Fee	$1,500
Agency Fee	$7,000
Child Documentation Fee	$2,000
Charitable Donation	$2,500
In-Country Costs	$5,000
Post-Placement Report	$500
Total	$18,850

Fees are estimated for adoption of 1 child. There will be additional costs to adopt siblings, but it is not multiplied by number of children in the group because some fees may be reduced or waived for the second child or beyond additional ones.
Fees for homestudy, immigration services, and travel expenses are not included in the above costs.

India Adoptions

Hague Requirements

India Requirements

India Adoption Process

India Adoption Costs

Adoption Programs

Special Needs

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