Documents required for adoption in India

Disclaimer: The information furnished below is limited my knowledge and experience, and the exact documents that you need must be obtained from the CARA website www.cara.nic.in or from the Social Worker or from the CARA helpline. Take this only as a guideline.

Their first reaction when people come to know we adopted is almost always, "You adopted? That would haven been such a lengthy process, and such a lot of paperwork!!"

Well, yes, and no!

In this post, I will discuss about the documents you need to keep handy when you are planning to adopt. Ensure that you have all the originals and two copies with you. You could save a lot of time by having the necessary documents ready.

Why does CARA need to check all your documents? For CARA, the child's interests is primary. They take all efforts to check that you are genuine wanna-be parents and have the sufficient resources, while alive and later, to take care of the child.

There are the usual ID proofs that you need to submit during the registration process. Once your registration is approved by the local SAA (Specialised Adoption Agency), they will get in touch with you to agree on a date and time for the Home Visit. They will also tell you what documents the Social Worker shall ask to see.

Check out what we showed the Social Worker during her Home Visit

Documents specific to adoption

• Reference letters on stamp papers - 2

Two reference letters are needed  from friends who have known you as a family for a long time. The letters should cover the following information

1. How they know you
2. For how long they know you
3. How they think you are suitable to be adoptive parents
4. How well you have raised your child(ren), if applicable

Since we have lots of long term friends, this was not a problem

• Undertaking letters on stamp papers - 2

Two sets of undertaking letters from relatives. They need to be from couples who are around your age group. No, your parents are not allowed to give this letter. This is basically an agreement from your relatives that in case of any eventuality (if both the adoptive parents pass away), they shall undertake care of the child.

Check out who, among your family, will be willing to provide an undertaking letter. My sister and brother-in-law gave one undertaking while a cousin and her husband gave the other. We had approached them very hesitantly, but both of them had replied, "Even if its not a legal obligation, we would do it anyways!"

Basically, my family rocks!

Permanent documents

1. Aadhar cards
2. Passports
3. Ration card
4. PAN cards
5. Drivers' license
6. School ID card of kid, if applicable
7. 10th, 12th and college marksheets and certificates

Temporary documents

1. Recent family photograph (The couple and kid, if applicable) to be handed over to the Social Worker
2. Pasport size photographs
3. Salary slips for the past 6 months
4. IT returns for the last three years
5. Employment proof
6. Investment proof for bonds
7. Insurance policies
8. Property registration documents

So go on, get your paperwork ready!