The Adoption Journey

In-country adoption process

As per the CARA Adoption Regulations, 2022, for PAPs residing within India.

1. Step 1

   Registration on CARINGS

   Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) register on the Designated Portal (CARINGS) by filling the online application and uploading the required documents within thirty days, as per Schedule VI.

2. Step 2

   Home Study Report

   A social worker from a Specialised Adoption Agency or District Child Protection Unit conducts the Home Study within sixty days. The report remains valid for three years and is uploaded on the Designated Portal.

3. Step 3

   Child Referral

   Based on seniority, PAPs receive up to three referrals (with a one-month interval) on the Designated Portal, including the child's photograph, Child Study Report (CSR) and Medical Examination Report (MER).

4. Step 4

   Reservation of Child

   PAPs may reserve a referred child within forty-eight hours; unreserved children are released for the next PAPs in the waiting list.

5. Step 5

   Matching by Adoption Committee

   The Specialised Adoption Agency fixes an appointment and the Adoption Committee assesses the suitability of PAPs and scrutinises the documents listed in Schedule IX (Part 1).

6. Step 6

   Meeting with the Child

   The agency organises a meeting between PAPs and the child. The social worker orients the PAPs (and older children) on care, rights and responsibilities. Matching is completed within thirty days of reservation.

7. Step 7

   Acceptance of CSR & MER

   On acceptance, PAPs sign the Child Study Report and Medical Examination Report in the presence of the agency's social worker or chief functionary, and the acceptance is recorded on the Designated Portal.

8. Step 8

   Pre-Adoption Foster Care

   Within ten days of matching, the child is placed in pre-adoption foster care with the PAPs after signing the undertaking in Schedule VIII, along with submission of original documents (Schedule IX).

9. Step 9

   Filing of Adoption Application

   Within ten days of matching, the Specialised Adoption Agency files the adoption application with the District Magistrate through the District Child Protection Unit (Schedule XXVIII).

10. Step 10

    Adoption Order

    The District Magistrate holds the proceedings in-camera and disposes of the case within two months. A certified copy is forwarded to the PAPs within ten days and uploaded on the Designated Portal.

11. Step 11

    Birth Certificate

    Within five days of the adoption order, the agency applies to the issuing authority for a new birth certificate reflecting the adoptive parents' names and the date of birth as per the order.

12. Step 12

    Post-Adoption Follow-up

    Follow-up reports are prepared on a six-monthly basis for two years from the date of pre-adoption foster care and uploaded on the Designated Portal (Schedule XII), with the first follow-up within three months.

13. Step 13

    Counselling & Support

    In case of any non-adjustment, the Specialised Adoption Agency or DCPU arranges counselling for the family within seven days, with intimation to the State Adoption Resource Agency and District Magistrate.