Order of Priority
The following order of priority is applicable:
- Indian citizens living in India;
- Indian citizens living abroad;
- Both parents of Indian Origin abroad (PIO).
- One parent of Indian origin abroad (PIO).
- Foreigners.
Permission to adopt
- The applicant must have the permission of the competent authority in the country of residence, for adopting a child
from India.
- Where such Central Authorities or Government departments are not available, the application may be sent by the
enlisted agency with requisite documents including documentary proof that the applicant is permitted to adopt from
India.
Children who can be placed in inter-country adoption
- The child must be legally free for adoption
- Attempts to find an Indian placement for the child should have been unsuccessful.
- Clearance from ACA/State Government is mandatory for all children except wherever exempted under the Guidelines.
- Siblings/twins/triplets cannot be separated except in exceptional cases.
- Two unrelated children cannot be proposed to a foreign family at a time.
- A child may as far as possible be placed in adoption before s/he reaches the age of 12.
The consent of the child must be obtained wherever applicable.
