CARA – Central Adoption Resource Authority

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) handles adoption procedures in India. Adoption is mainly carried out in two ways:

1. Relative Adoption
2. Step-Parent Adoption

1. Relative Adoption

Relative adoption mainly takes place in two forms:

• Domestic Relative Adoption
• Inter-country Relative Adoption

(A) Domestic Relative Adoption

Under domestic relative adoption, a child is adopted by relatives residing within India.

Process

1. Prospective adoptive parents must register on the CARINGS portal with the documents mentioned in Schedule VI.
2. Consent of the biological parents or permission from the Child Welfare Committee is required as per Schedule XIX or Schedule XXII.
3. If the child is five years or older, the child’s consent is mandatory.
4. An affidavit supporting the financial and social status of the adoptive parents must be submitted as mentioned in Schedule XXIV.
5. Proper verification of the prospective adoptive parents will be conducted by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
6. The State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) will forward the case to the authority for approval. After approval, a pre-approval certificate will be issued as per Schedule XXV.
7. If the prospective adoptive parents hold a foreign passport, the case will be referred to the authority for expert advice.
8. After verification, the District Child Protection Unit will submit the application before the District Magistrate where the child resides, as per Schedule XXX.
9. The District Child Protection Unit will obtain a certified copy of the adoption order from the District Magistrate and upload it online on the CARINGS portal for the authority and adoptive parents.

(B) Inter-country Relative Adoption

This applies to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders, and foreign citizens living abroad who wish to adopt a relative’s child.

Process

1. Prospective adoptive parents must register on the CARINGS portal with required documents mentioned in Schedule VI.
2. Registration for adoption will be completed only after the Home Study Report is finalized through:
   • Authorized Foreign Adoption Agency
   • Central Authority
   • Government Department
   • Indian Mission abroad

Required Documents

• Current family photograph
• Home Study Report (for OCI and foreign adoptive parents)
• Passport of male adoptive parent
• Passport of female adoptive parent
• OCI card (if applicable)
• Birth certificates of adoptive parents
• Proof of residence
• Income proof of the last year:
  • Salary slips
  • Income Tax Return
  • Government-approved income certificate
• Medical certificate stating adoptive parents are free from chronic, contagious, or life-threatening diseases
• Police clearance certificates of both adoptive parents
• Marriage certificate (for couples)
• Divorce decree / affidavit / spouse death certificate (if applicable)
• Guarantee from relatives in case of a single adoptive parent
• No Objection Certificate from Embassy/High Commission (if applicable)
• Two reference letters from respectable members of society
• Consent of elder children in the adoptive family
• Recent photograph of the child
• Recent family photograph with biological and adoptive parents
• Consent of the child if the child is older
• Family tree showing relationship with the child
• Hague Convention approval (if applicable)
• Consent of biological family
• Permission from Child Welfare Committee (if applicable)
• Family background report by District Child Protection Unit

2. Step-Parent Adoption

In step-parent adoption, one biological parent and the step-parent jointly adopt the child.

Process

1. The couple (step-parent and biological parent) must register on the CARINGS portal with the required documents mentioned in Schedule VI.
2. Consent of the biological parent and step-parent must be provided as per Schedule XX.
3. If a child custody case is pending in court, adoption proceedings can begin only after the final court order.
4. Proper verification of the step-parent or couple will be conducted by the District Child Protection Unit.
5. The State Adoption Resource Agency will forward the case for approval, and a pre-approval certificate will be issued as per Schedule XXV.
6. If the prospective adoptive parents hold a foreign passport, the case will be referred to the authority for expert advice.
7. The biological parent and step-parent must file an application before the District Magistrate through the District Child Protection Unit in the prescribed format under Schedule XXXII.
8. The District Child Protection Unit will obtain a certified copy of the adoption order from the District Magistrate and upload it online on the CARINGS portal.
9. In case of inter-country step-parent adoption:
   • Consent forms must be signed before the Child Welfare Committee.
   • Additional family background reports must be completed.

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Required Documents for Step-Parent Adoption

• Family photograph
• Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License of adoptive parents
• Birth certificate of adoptive parents
• Residence proof:
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Utility bills
  • Telephone bill
• Income proof of the previous year
• Medical certificate confirming fitness for adoption
• Marriage certificate / divorce decree / spouse death certificate (as applicable)
• Guarantee from relatives for single adoptive parent cases (if applicable)
• Consent of the child if the child is above 5 years of age

Official Website:
CARA Official Website