Can you do inter-country adoption in India?

Inter-country adoption, also known as transnational adoption is a mode of adoption in which an individual or a couple becomes the legal parent(s) of a child who belongs to a different nation. Adoption in general is a long process in India, fraught with bureaucratic delays. Inter-country adoptions are generally even more difficult and may take longer.

All adoptions are governed by rules framed under the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Under CARA, NRIs and OCIs may adopt a relative's child by approaching CARA, or an authorised adoption agency in their country of residence for a Home Study Report. Internationally, Inter-country adoptions are governed by the Hague Convention on the protection of children, which came into effect in 1995. If the child has no parents, the child must be sponsored by a child welfare agency or a recognised social agency.

The report would be then sent to the District Child Protection Unit for a family background report of the child proposed for adoption. Both the biological parents and the adoptive parents must give their consent. The report will be shared with the foreign adoption agency or the Indian Mission of that country.

Once processes are finalised, CARA would issue a No Objection Certificate thereby permitting the child to be adopted.

Any person attempting to take or give a child in adoption without complying with these procedures is committing a crime.