Process of Adoption: Cost, Eligibility and Other Details

The meaning of family is changing day by day. Keeping cultural inheritance played a vital role in the definition of the family earlier. Recently various factors, such as infertility, queer marriages, single parenthood, etc., are positing an alternative idea of family.

As the concept of normalising continues many parents are looking to know the process of adoption. Read along to know more about this.

Anybody! Irrespective of marital status, citizen identity, or anything else, if you are having plans to adopt a child just go for it. However, there are certain eligibility criteria to look out for before bringing a kid home to ensure their safety.

Moreover, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has different eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive NRI parents, in-country relative adoption, inter-country relative adoption and adoption by step-parent.

In-country relatives mean people who are relatives of the child who is going to be adopted. In inter-country relative adoption, the soon-to-be parent resides abroad.

There are numerous reasons to adopt a child but most importantly it is fulfilling the dreams of nurturing a young mind. One can also look at social factors that come to play in this regard such as:

• Giving Chance to the Deserving: No child chooses to be born under critical circumstances. Devoid of caste, class or gender every kid deserves love and care in their initial years of growth. This enables them to be both physically and psychologically strong and face reality. Young minds bear the light for prospects. Hence adoption plays a great role when it comes to potential parent(s) trying to opt for change by taking this big step.
• Fulfilling Dreams: Many married couples face fertility problems which debar them from having a child. However, that can't stop them from raising one. It’ll not only fulfil your dream but will also open door of possibilities to the child.
• Setting an Alternative Definition of Family: As mentioned earlier, a family doesn't have to go by its earlier meaning. This is necessary in Indian context where people have started identifying themselves outside patriarchal point of view. Hence it goes against the set cultural norm of the popular ‘ideal’ family.

Different governmental institutions take care of the adoption procedure. CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) is a branch of the Central Government which also falls under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Potential parent(s) looking for adoption have to register on its official website.

However, a child can be adopted by any relative of theirs, a married couple or a single female parent. When a relative adopts a child, it goes by the term in-country relative adoptions.

The process goes as:

• Registration Procedure: The potential parent(s) need to register from the official website of CARA under the ‘Parents’ section.
• Counselling: They will receive a call from the concerned personnel for counselling after the registration process. Here they will conduct a home study and get to know the soon-to-be parent(s).
• Waiting Period: The agency personnel will make a report on the parent(s) after the process. This will initiate the waiting period where the parent(s) have to wait for the suitable child.
• Introducing the Child: This will be the first time when you can meet the child in person. Thereafter, you can discuss if you want to adopt or not.
• Agreement Preparation: If you decide to adopt the child, the agency will initiate the process of documentation and agreement creation for child maintenance.
• Court’s Approval: They will further file a petition asking for permission from the court regarding adoption. The procedure will not go ahead without the court's affirmation.
• Composition of Adoption Deed: Preparation of adoption deed begins the moment court approves of the adoption.
• Application of Birth Certificate: This is the last and final phase of process where the adoption is finalized. Hereafter, parents can apply for birth certificate of the child.

This applies to anyone staying abroad including Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). Follow the guidelines if you are looking for adoption possibilities in India:

• Soon-to-be adoptive parents must be mentally, physically and financially able to provide for the adopted child. Moreover, they shouldn’t have any past criminal records or shouldn’t have engaged in any kind of child exploitation.
• They should not be live-in partners but a married couple. In that case, consent of both spouses is required for the adoptive process.
• The married couple should have at least two years of a stable relationship. This is to ensure that the adopted child should not face any kind of mental health issues in any way.
• A single soon-to-be female parent is eligible to adopt a child of any gender. However, the same doesn't apply to a single soon-to-be male parent who cannot adopt a girl child.
• Composite age will be calculated in case the soon-to-be parents are a couple.
• Age difference between adopted child and prospective parents should be more than twenty-five years.
• However, age criteria are not applicable if the prospective parents are relatives or step-parent.
• The prospective parents should regularly update their home study report for a period of three years.
• If a soon-to-be parent didn't receive any referral within three years, the composite age calculation will be counted from the day of registration. This does not apply to people who have overcome composite years of one hundred and ten years.

Registering from CARA's official website will set the application process in motion. The agency will take your documents, make a background check and after a series of processes involving permission from the court and such, the adoption will be finalised.

They will look for potential children who can be legally adopted. All throughout the agency will stay as the legal mediator assisting you in the process.

It should be noted that any adoption or child-giving procedure without the role of the Child Welfare Committee is illegal. Hence before adopting a child from any NGO, it is advisable to see whether they are legally accredited or not.

Whether adopted or not, having a child requires intricate financial planning based on their possible future prospects. Hence overlooking this vital factor might prove to be a hindrance later.

 Have a look into the following factors based on which you can have erect financial planning for your child.

• Plan Early: It is always better to begin early than later. Moreover, since you are opting for adoption, take into consideration the adoption charges. Make monetary estimations based on those and start saving.
• Create a Separate Savings Account: A separate savings account for your child or children always helps to keep track of financial transactions. It'll help you plan strategically and effortlessly. Moreover, you can invest that amount to further multiply the amount in future.
• Opt for Additional Budgetary Prospects: If you notice that having your or combining your spouses' savings is still not enough, go for additional financing options. There are several ways to do so, such as starting a side hustle, investing in different ways etc.
• Consult a Financial Planner: You can always opt for a financial advisor in finding the right path for financial security of your child. They can also help you with additional ways for other expenses through which you can always maintain a balance.
• Consider Taking a Loan: This is applicable if you are in any financially critical situation where taking a loan will be a better option. It can be any emergency or urgent situation where there is no other way but to take a loan. However, planning it beforehand would be feasible to avoid getting into debt later.

The above factors just offer a rough scenario of the adoption process, its eligibility criteria and other notions. You can always include changes to suit it your way. After all, setting the path for your child to prosper is the next big step that comes with the joy of adoption.