India
Namaste. Welcome to our India Adoption Program. Across The World Adoptions is Hague Accredited and we are recognized by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) in India as an Enlisted Foreign Adoption Agency.
Our India Adoption Program is open to families of Indian heritage only. To qualify, one spouse must either be an Indian Citizen or have OCI Status. One spouse must be a U.S. Citizen. Single women are allowed to adopt, and they must be a U.S. Citizen and have OCI Status. For additional information on OCI Status, please see this web site: http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/oci.asp We can begin the paperwork for your adoption at the same time you are applying for your OCI status.
Children Available:
For NRI/OCI adoption, children are from 3 months up to 7 years. Families are encouraged to be flexible when it comes to gender. We can not promise a male child to any adoptive family. Children are mainly healthy and medical information is in English. We can arrange for an outside pediatric exam before you accept a referral.
Who May Adopt:
- This adoption program is only open to families of Indian Heritage that have OCI status or where one spouse is an Indian Passport Holder/Citizen
- Couples must be in a stable marriage for five years.
- Your combined age must be below 90 years to adopt infants and young children, and each spouse must be above 30.
- Couples where at lest one spouse has either an Indian Passport or OI status will be exempted from ACA Clearance, but must follow all other CARA Guidelines. One spouse must be a U.S. Citizen. Permanent Residents are not allowed to adopt from a foreign country and sponsor the immigrant child to enter the U.S.
- Single women between the ages of 30 and 45 may adopt.
- You must be a US Citizen and have OCI status.
- A second adoption from India will be considered only when the legal adoption for the first child is completed in your State of residence in the USA and documentation sent to India.
- Same sex couples are not eligible to adopt under Indian regulations.
- Please note that some courts have additional requirements.
Time Frame:
You can expect to receive a referral of an orphaned child within 6 - 8 months from the time you complete your home study. This time frame varies depending on your flexibility and the type of child you are wanting to add to your family. Once you have accepted a referral, the legal process begins in India. This can take up to 4 months, depending on the time of year, holidays, etc.
The Process:
Under our guidance, parents complete a home study, obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) approval and build a dossier of documents needed for India. Parents will receive pictures and preliminary medical/social information when an orphaned child is in need of adoption. Once you accept a referral, all legal documents for you and the child are sent to CARA and the CARA - NOC is issued. Once the NOC is issued, the orphanage attorney can file your adoption petition with the appropriate court. There are two legal processes; one is for Hindu Adoption; the other is for guardianship. We will discuss this with you and decide which is best for you at the appropriate time. Once the court grants the adoption or guardianship, certified copies of documents (court order, affidavit of birth, Indian passport) are applied for. 
Once the passport has been issued, you will be notified when you can travel to India.
Travel:
One or both parents may travel. India requires that at least one spouse travel to bring the child home. Time frames vary depending on whether you have completed a Hindu Adoption or have been awarded guardianship. Our staff in India will take very good care of you and help you each step of the way.
Fees and Expenses:
Program fees encompass all professional services. Additional expenses include pre-adoption costs such as the home study, CIS fees, travel, U.S. visa fees and the cost of finalizing the adoption in the U.S as outlined on the Fees and Expenses Page of our agreement.
