INDIA has a long history of adoption to the United States. Because it is one
of the world’s poorest countries, many babies and children are relinquished to
orphanages by parents who are unable to provide for them. Children's Hope
International works with several well-run and respected orphanages. The children are cared for by dedicated and loving staff
members.
India has
established a governmental body that regulates adoptions. Only agencies approved
by India’s central government may place children, and only agencies enlisted by
India’s central government may receive children for their applicant families.
Our office in Oregon has such a license from the government of
India.
Families must travel to bring their children to the
United States. Escorts will be allowed under extenuating circumstances. The
prepared documents are sent over, a court hearing is done in which guardianship
of the child is granted to the adoptive parents, and the child can then travel home.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION:
Due to the growing number of domestic adoptions in
India and placement of children with NRI (Non-Resident Indian) families, fewer
Indian children are currently available for international adoption to non-NRI
families. Also, the average age of children available for adoption by non-NRI
families has increased. Therefore, at this time, we are accepting applications
from NRI families wanting to adopt a child of any age, and non-NRI families
wanting to adopt a child who is a least 3 years old.
The timeline from submission of dossier to referral
is approximately 12 months for non-NRI
families and 4 months for NRI families.
Once you have said yes to a particular child, your case will go to the Central
Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) and then on to court. The child’s picture,
videos (when available) and medical information is forwarded to CHI and
then on to you during the CARA approval and court process (approximately 6-9
months). Once court approval is granted, traveling families will leave in about
5-6 weeks to pick up their child.
Siblings are occasionally available and are always placed
together Children become available because they have been born to
unwed mothers who cannot keep them, the primary wage earner has
died or the child is abandoned or orphaned.
Indian Law requires that the biological parents
can reclaim the child for two months after the child has been placed in
the licensed agency in India; then, several additional months must pass during
which the child is offered
to adoptive families in India. Once these clearances have been achieved, the child is
then legally available for international adoption. CHI only
refers children who have received this clearance and are legally
free for adoption. WHAT ARE THE
REQUIREMENTS?
- For married couples, the minimum age is 22, but their
combined ages can be no more than 90 years older than the age of the child
they are adopting. For example, a 48-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man
would have to adopt a child who is at least 5 years old. (However,
we will consider older parents on a case-by-case basis up to age 50 if
adopting older or special needs children or some sibling groups.)
- Couples must be married at least two years at the time of application. A
stable marriage must be evidenced.
- Couples must provide
proof of infertility (primary or secondary).
- Single women are allowed to adopt. A woman must be at
least 25 years old, but no more than 40 years older than the child she is
adopting (for example, a 47-year-old woman would have to adopt a child who
is at least 7 years old).
- Singles and persons previously divorced one or two times are permitted to
adopt.
- At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
- Families with children are permitted to adopt from India.
- Occasionally siblings are available. They are always placed together.
Special Notes:
We give individual consideration to unique circumstances. Please ask us if
you have questions.
We are always very happy to work with those persons wanting to adopt a
child with true special needs. Lovely and precious children are waiting.
NRI 's are given priority by the Indian government. Referrals of young, healthy
babies occur rapidly and proceed in a timely manner. We welcome NRI
applicants.
INDIA ADOPTION TIPS
Both boys and girls are available for adoption, but girls are more
numerous. Many of the boys are adopted domestically.
Most of the children have medium to dark skin, lovely big brown eyes, and
Caucasian features.
Little or nothing is known about the children’s backgrounds.
At the present time, it takes about 12 months after all documents are submitted before there is a
referral to non-NRI families, and 4 months for NRI families.
You will receive your child approximately 6-9
months later. (It can take longer if unforeseen circumstances occur such
as strikes, holidays, vacations, and litigation.)
You will travel to pick up your child, spending about a week in
India.
You will be assisted while in India to complete any required
adoption processes.
Legal custody of your child will be retained by the agency until the
final adoption is completed in the U.S. This is required by law to ensure that
the child will remain the legal responsibility of the agency. If the adoption is
disrupted, the adoptive parent will be responsible for airfare for the child and
an escort to travel to the child’s new family.
Post-placement supervisory visits by a licensed social worker
are required prior to the finalization of the adoption. All children must be
adopted in the U.S.
Final adoption must be completed within 2 years The adoptive parents are financially responsible for all adoption
costs.
INDIA ADOPTION COSTS & PAYMENT SCHEDULE
1.
For Children’s Hope International Services: |
$4,795
|
Upon
application (non-refundable) |
100 |
|
Upon approval
of application, for review and counsel |
300 |
|
| Attestation fees (paid at
acceptance of dossier) |
295 |
|
Upon
acceptance of dossier |
4100 |
|
2.
India Fees, Donation and Travel
Country Facilitation Fee ** Includes: court costs,
orphanage/ foster care donation, attorney fees, social workers’ salaries, Indian
application fee, Indian Council fee, local transportation, medical, food, and
clothing expenses for child.
|
$8,800 |
Upon referral of child to family
Upon granting
of court guardianship to family
Child's
travel to Delhi (if child must be escorted to Delhi)
(Final amount due prior to issuance of child’s passport)
|
$4,000
$4,000
$
800 |
|
Approximate Cost of Adoption: (Not including travel)
$13,595
|
3.
Estimated Cost for Travel for Two Parents **
Includes roundtrip airfare for parents to Delhi,
return airfare for infant, and hotel (double occupancy) in Delhi.
|
$3,700 |
Approximate Cost of Adoption: (including travel)
$17,295 |
Other
Fees Will Include:
a) |
INS filing fee $460 and $50 for fingerprints per
adult in household |
|
b) |
Dossier certification
(varies some from state to state) |
$200-$400 |
c) |
Home Study fees (varies by state/agency)
|
Varies |
d) |
In India fees: Child’s Visa is $325 each, plus child’s
medical exam and photo, ground transportation and guide. |
$525 |
Payment Schedule to Children's Hope
Check #1 for $100 upon application.
Check #2 for $300 upon agency approval of
application
Check #3 for $4,395 upon submission of dossier to
Children's Hope
Check #4 for $4,000 upon identification and
acceptance of child referral
Check #6 for travel fees - paid to travel agency -
amount undetermined at this time.
NO FEES ARE REFUNDABLE AFTER SERVICES ARE RENDERED
(October, 2003)
U.S. DOLLARS
PROCEDURE
1. Fill out the application
which can be downloaded in our forms section.
2. Either online or by mail we will send you the India Adoption
Guide which gives step-by-step procedures and a CHI caseworker
will counsel you through every step in preparing your paperwork.
3. When your paperwork is finished [called your dossier] we will
send it to our representative in India who will work with
adoption authorities to identify a child for you. That is called
a referral and a picture and medical and all available
information will be sent.
4. Upon your acceptance, the CHI representative in India
will work to finalize all formalities in the courts.
5. We will notify you when your may travel to get your child.
Steps 1-2-3 for adopting
in India Download or Request
India Adoption Guide and Profile of India Program
|
