Adoption means the process through which the adopted child is permanently separated from his biological parents and becomes the lawful child of the adoptive parents with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that are attached to a biological child. (As per Section 2(2) of the JJ (C&PC) Act, 2015)

Prime beneficiaries: Orphaned, abandoned, surrendered children, Prospective adoptive parents.

Eligibility:-

Eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive parents

• The prospective adoptive parents shall be physically, mentally and emotionally stable, financially capable and shall not have any life threatening medical condition.
• Any prospective adoptive parents, irrespective of his marital status and whether or not he has biological son or daughter, can adopt a child subject to following, namely:-
  • The consent of both the spouses for the adoption shall be required, in case of a married couple;
  • A single female can adopt a child of any gender;
  • A single male shall not be eligible to adopt a girl child;
  • No child shall be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable marital relationship.
  • The age of prospective adoptive parents, as on the date of registration, shall be counted for deciding the eligibility and the eligibility of prospective adoptive parents to apply for children of different age groups shall be as under:- 

In case of couple, the composite age of the prospective adoptive parents shall be counted.

• The minimum age difference between the child and either of the prospective adoptive parents shall not be less than twenty-five years.
• The age criteria for prospective adoptive parents shall not be applicable in case of relative adoptions and adoption by step-parent.
• Couples with three or more children shall not be considered for adoption except in case of special need children as defined in sub-regulation (21) of regulation 2, hard to place children as mentioned in regulation 50 and in case of relative adoption and adoption by step-parent.

1. Document Required

• Current family photograph/ photograph of the couple or person adopting a child
• PAN Card of the prospective adoptive parents
• Birth certificate/Proof of date of birth of the prospective adoptive parents
• Proof of residence (Aadhar card/ voter card/ passport/current electricity bill/telephone bill)
• Proof of income of last year (salary slip/income certificate issued by Govt. department/income tax return)
• Certificate from a medical practitioner certifying that the prospective adoptive parents do not suffer from any chronic, contagious or fatal disease and they are fit to adopt (In case of married couple, upload Medical Certificate of both the applicants)
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce Decree/Declaration from the competent court or affidavit on oath pertaining to divorce in case of divorce governed by personal law where decree of divorce is not mandatory/Death certificate of spouse in case of single prospective adoptive parent (if applicable).
• Two reference letters from acquaintances or relatives in support of adoption.

1. Type of Service.

• In-country adoption
• Inter-country adoption
• In country relative adoption.
• Inter country relative adoption
• Step parent adoption

1. Financial/Help Assistance:

• Registration and Home study fees: 6,000.
• Child Care Corpus:
  • In-Country Adoption: 40,000
  • Inter-country Adoption: 5,000 US $(3,45,277.50Rs.)

• Post adoption follow up charge: Rs.2,000(4visits)

1. Where to apply?

Register online through www.cara.nic.in

1. Acts/Rules.

• Juvenile Justice Act,2015.
• Juvenile Justice model rule,2016
• Adoption regulation,2017.

1. Service flow Pattern:

Central Adoption Resource Authority(CARA)

State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA)

District Child Protection Unit (DCPU)

Specialized Adoption Resource Agency(SAA)

1. Grievance Redressal  Mechanism :

State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA),

Near Prison Headquarters,

Poojapura, Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala – 695012