ARTICLES
Adopting Older Children ( Snehankur Team )
Thinking of Adopting ?...and thinking, and thinking, and thinking?
(Dr. Ali Khwaja)
For Prospective Parents : Sorting it out - Attachment & Bonding
(Dr. Meera Oke, Centre for Human Growth & Development)
Parent Preparation (Ms. Mary Paul)
Alternative Parenting : A Child Development Perspective (Dr.
Vinita Bhargava, PhD.)
Adoption Hurdles (Mrs. Bharati Das Gupta, Times Of India 4th
September 2006)
Adopt Another Law (Mr. Gaurang Mehta, Times of India 14th November 2006)
Adoption : A Guide for Medical Professionals
Adoption made simple
Child Adoption Leave
Adoption a Life Long Bond ( HIndi | English )
BOOKS
Parenting through Adoption - Nilima Mehta
Adoption - Issues, Laws and Procedures - Madhavi Hegde Karandikar,
For Bal Asha Trust, Bombay (Published with support from CRY)
Adoption and Childcare - Dr. Vilas Ainapure, M.D, D.C.H
The Penguin Guide to Adoption in India - Dr. Aloma Lobo and
Jayapriya Vasudevan
Child Adoption & Thereafter - Indian Council for Child Welfare, Tamil Nadu
On Their Own - Amita Dhanda & Geeta Ramaswamy (July 2005)
Adoption in India : Policies & Experiences - Dr. Vinita Bhargava
WEBSITES
We acknowledge their support for developing the informational sections
of this website
Central Adoption Resource Authority
Atmaja- Association for Adoptive Parents, West Bengal
Catalysts for Social Action, Pune:
National Association of Adoptive Families- Adoption Guidance Book
Karmayog-Adoption
http://sudatta.org/
INDIAN LEGISLATIONS
HAMA - Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956. Hindus, including
Sikhs, Jains & Buddhists can adopt under this Act.
GAWA - is Guardians And Wards Act, 1890. Foreigners and non-Hindus can
resort to this Act for the purpose of guardianship.
Under Juvenile Justice(Care & Protection of Children) Act(2000 amended
in 2006), a child of either sex can be given in adoption by the court
to a person irrespective of his/her marital status and number of
biological or adopted children.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989
Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in
Inter-country Adoption
List of Documents for Adoption Process
The list of documents required for Adoption process is below. You can
download the formats and templates from the list of attachments below
1) Completed Application form (Download application form below)
2) Completed Medical certificate(Original) for both parents (example
reference template below)
3) Completed Questionnaire by both parents (example reference template below)
4) Copy of Birth Certificate / School leaving Certificate / Election
identity / Passports to establish the identity of both parents
5) Copy of Marriage certificate.
6) Original Reference Letters from 2 friends and 1 relative vouching
for suitability of the family to adopt a child and how long have they
known the family (example reference template below)
7) Original Recent HIV test (Eliza) reports for both parents
8) If applicable, a report from gynecologist indicating for how many
days the couple is taking fertility treatment(Original)
9) Income documents
Copy of recent payslip and income tax return certificates (If employed)
Copy of Income tax returns documents and ( if self employed or in business)
10) Copies of Bank statement, Investments, Insurance policies, and
property documents to show financial stability
11) Copies of Municipal tax receipts / electricity bills / Ration Card
to provide proof of address
12) 4 Colored full size post card photographs(parents together) and
10 passport size photograph (Individual)of the adoptive parents.
13) An undertaking affidavit from the nearest younger relative of
adoptive parents to take care of the child in case of any mishap to
adoptive parents (example reference template below)
14) A Police verfication certificate to confirm that there are no
criminal records against the adoptive parents(Original)
What is Adoption ?
Adoption is a process by which a child who has been abandoned or
relinquished is given to a safe, secure & loving family through a
legal process.
Why adopt?
Adoption is a wonderful option to expand your family. On one hand, you
have orphaned children; on the other, you have infertile couples who
long for a child. The needs of both the child and the prospective
parents can be fulfilled through adoption. It is not just childless
couples that go in for adoption. Some couples feel that they would
like to offer a secure and loving home to an orphan. Others may want a
child of a particular sex, or they may be too old to have achild, or a
biological child may have a high risk of having genetic problems.
Single parents also have the option to adopt.
Just because a child carries its parents' genes does not necessarily
make it superior in any way. Both heredity and environment work in
tandem to shape the development of a child. Adoptive parents often
have more control over the variables, in the sense that they choose
when to adopt, the sex of the child and they can check whether the
child is physically and mentally normal before they take a final
decision. Biological parents do not have this luxury.
Who can adopt ?
The adoptive parents should have a reasonable & regular source of
income which can support the needs of a child within a family.
Neither of the parents should have a major illness that would come in
the way of parenting.
Neither of the parents should have a criminal record.
The composite age of the adoptive couple should not exceed 90 years.
Single parents upto 45 years can adopt too.
Process of Adoption
Stage I - Application
Prospective adoptive parent(s) should register themselves with state
adoption cell or Adoption Coordinating Agency.
Get all the information that you need to make up your mind, clarify
your doubts and then register with one agency. Please do not register
with several agencies in the hope of getting a "better" choice or a
faster placements. All adoption agencies have a networking system to
co-ordinate with each other to locate a suitable child for you.
Prepare the documents that you need to complete as part of the
formalities in the process of adoption.
To register with Snehankur Adoption center, please fill this form or
contact snehankur@snehalaya.org.
Stage II - Documentation and Home Study
A home study will be conducted by the social worker of the Agency. To
allay the fears and apprehensions of the prospective adoptive
parent(s), pre-adoptive counseling sessions will be provided as
required. This study is conducted to assess the ability of a couple
to parent a child, not born to them. Documents relating to financial
and health status of the prospective parent(s) will be part of the
Home Study Report. Prospective adoptive parents should create and
complete the necessary documentation as per this list below. Home
Visit is also intended for per -adoption counselling. Use the meetings
with the social worker to clarify all your apprehensions and to freely
discuss your expectations.
Stage III - Identification of the adoptive child
After a Home Study has been accepted and approved, a suitable child
admitted and legally free for adoption will be identified for the
parent(s). This seems to be the most difficult part of the process,
because once you have made a decision to adopt, you would like it to
be completed as early as possible. This may take even upto six months,
depending on the availability of children. It would be an appropriate
analogy to draw here, that just as nature has provided time between
conception and the birth of a baby, so does the adoption process
includes this period of waiting to allow a couple to get emotionally
prepared for parenthood. The agency will take care to match a child
meeting the description, if any, desired by the parent(s). In case of
placement of older children (above the age of 6), both written and
verbal consent of the child will be obtained.
Stage IV - Foster Care
Once a successful matching has been, the social worker will arrange
for you to see the child that has been identified for you. This is
the moment you have been waiting for with mixed feelings of excitement
and anxiety. Adoptive parents can get an independent medical report
about the child before acceptance. It is important to get a complete
medical re-examination done with a doctor of your choice to reassure
yourself of the child's health. The social worker will help you file
all the relevant papers in court before you can take the child home in
pre-adoptive foster care.
The foster care agreement will be signed between the adoptive parents
and Snehankur. Snehankur and the parents will together file a petition
in the Court/JJB for obtaining the necessary orders under the relevant
Act. Till the court hearing is completed and orders are issued, the
child will be under foster care with the parents, with the agency
still being the legal guardian of the child
Stage V - Adoption Deed
The social worker will assist you with all legal formalities and you
may be required to attend court for a hearing.
Once the court completes all the hearings, the court will issue an
order, approving the adoption of the child by the family
The court order will be registered to complete the adoption process .
In cities like Ahmednagar there is no family court to hear adoption
cases. Hence it could take upto an year to get the court order. We
realize this causes a few inconveniences like having to wait for a
passport for the child. But the institution has limited means to
expedite matters.
Documents related to the adoption will include the court decree of
Adoption deed and the child's birth affidavit.
With these documents, adoptive parents will be legal guardians of the child
Stage VI - Follow up visits
Once the adoption process is completed, Snehankur conducts follow-up
visits and post adoption counseling by the social worker till the
child is adjusted in the new environment. The follow up could be upto
one year or as directed by the Court/JJB. Copies of the follow-up
reports will be sent to the District Social Welfare Officer/concerned
State Government Department, concerned Scrutiny Agency and the
Court/JJB from where the order was obtained.
The social worker will keep in touch with you and visit you for
follow-ups as per the stipulation of the court and the agency's rules.
This is mostly to help the parents as required. Even after the legal
follow-up period is over, you can feel free to approach Snehankur for
any advice or assistance.
--
Adoption centers in Maharashtra
(http://www.cara.nic.in/ipas_list_maharashtra.htm)
Maharashtra
S.No Particulars Validity of Recognition Phone No. Fax No. E-mail Address
1 Bal Anand World Children Welfare Trust India Sai Krupa,
93,
Ghatla Village, Chembur
Mumbai-400071,
Maharashtra 23/01/2008 22/01/2011 91-022-25208395 / 25202262
91-22-25204914 balanand@vsnl.net
mmbalanand@hotmail.com
2 Children of the World (India) Trust 401, Arun Chambers,
4th Floor,
Tardeo
Mumbai - 400 034,
Maharashtra 13.03.2008 12.03.2011 91-022-23520249 022-66602196
91-022-23520032 cwb@bom5.vsnl.net.in
cwb@vsnl.com
child@mtnl.net.in
3 Holy Cross Home For Babies
C/o Holy Cross Convent Camp Road, Amaravati (Camp) - 444602
Maharashtra 11.05.2010 10.05.2013 91-0721-2663861 91-0721-2663861
h.babies@rediffmail.com
4 SOFOSH
Society of Friends of The Sassoon Hospitals
Postal Address:
P.O Box 94,
G.P.O.,
Pune-411001,
Maharashtra 29/10/2010 28/10/2013 91-020-26124660 091-020-26128219
sofosh@vsnl.net
5 M/s Bal Vikas
(Shishu Welfare Trust of India)
102,
Shishu Bhavan,
Velantine Comples,
Off. Gen. Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg,
Malad (East),
Mumbai - 400097,
Maharashtra 24/09/2009 23/09/2012 022-28422802 022-28422714
balvikas@vsnl.com
6 St. Catherine's Home
Veera Desai Road,
Andheri (West),
Mumbai - 400 058,
Maharashtra 26.08.2010 25.08.2013 91-022-26762312 / 26766906
91-022-26763021 stcath@mtnl.net.in
stcath@vsnl.net
7 The Hindu Women's Welfare Society
Shraddhanand Mahilashram
Shraddhanand Road,
Maheshwari,
Udyan,
Matunga,
Mumbai-400019,
Maharashtra 13.03.2008 12.03.2011 91-022-24012252 / 24010715
91-022-24031207 hwws@rediffmail.com
8 Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra
"Bertha Varada"
Plot No.373,
6th Lane,
North Main Road,
Koregaon Park,
Pune-411001 24/05/2010
to
23/05/2013 91-020-26128002 020-26055332 91-020-6125716 bssk@bsskindia.org
9 Shejar Chhaya P.P Paradise,
B/206-207,
Second Floor,
Main Ambadi Road Junction,
Vasai Road (w),
Dist. Thane,
Maharashtra 401202 22/09/2009 21/09/2012 91-250-2341196 2349380
91-250-23051337 shejarchhaya@rediffmail.com
10 Maharashtra State Women's Council Asha Sadan,
Asha Sadan Marg,
Umerkhadi
Mumbai-400009,
Maharashtra 02/02/2009 01/02/2012 91-022-23715477 23740397
91-22-23701281 m.s.w.c.ashasadan@mtnl.net,in
11 Bal Asha Trust
401, Charlie-Ville, A Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400020, Maharashtra
15/03/2010 14/03/2012 91-022-24926526 91-22-24944090
adoption@vsnl.com balasha@vsnl.com
12 Shree Manav Seva Sangh
255-257, Sion Road, Sion (West),
Mumbai - 400022, Maharashtra. 29/12/2010
to
31/03/2012 91-022-24071553
24092266 91-022-24092266 smss@vsnl.com
sevasangh@gmail.com
shrimanva24@yahoo.com
13 M/S Matru Sewa Sangh
North Ambazari Road
Sitabuldi, Nagpur, Maharashtra. 19/09/2008
to
18/09/2011
91-0712-2523596 / 2522393
91-0712-2523596 matrusewa@yahoo.com
14 M/S Indian Association For Promotion of
Adoption & Child Welfare, Flat No.7, Kanara
Brotherhood Co-operative Housing Society,
Mogul Lane, Matunga (W) Mumbai-400016
Maharashtra. 01/06/2009
to
31/05/2012 91-022-24307076 /
24374938 91-022-24374938 iapa@vsnl.com
iapa@vsnl.net
15 Family Service Centre
Eucharistic Congress, Building No.3,
5 Convent Street
Mumbai - 400001, Maharashtra. 02/02/2009
to
01/02/2012 91-022-22021432 91-022-22828862 director@fscmumbai.org
familyservice2001@yahoo.com
16 M/s Bal Vikas Mahila Mandal
C/o Swa-Adhr Mahila Vastigrah
Sudarshan Colony, India Nagar,
Latur-413531, Maharashtra. 20/02/2008
to
19/02/2011 91-02382-27620
27005 91-02382-228723 bvmm_latur@yahoo.com
17 M/s Renuka Mahajan Trust
Svy. No. 121, Near Saibaba Mandir,
Pune - Alandi Road, Wadmukhwadi,
P.O. Charholi, Tal. Haveli,
Dist. Pune - 412 105, Maharashtra 12/12/2008
to
11/12/2011 020-32662982 /
020-32528187 / Mob:9860015966/ 9860645661
rsg_94@yahoo.co.in
rmt1994@yahoo.com
18 M/s Priya-Darshani Shishu Griha
Shri Sadguru Balmik Swamy Seva Sangh Sanchalit
691/1B, Old Bhavsar Hospital,
Adinath Nagar, Near Century Enka Colony Gate No.2
Bhosari, Pune -39 24/12/2008 to
23/12/2011 91-020-27123391 020-27122630 priyadarshaniadoption@yahoo.com
priyadarshinishisu@vsnl.net
19 M/s Mahila Seva Mandal
Kusumbai Matichand Mahila Seva Gram
25/20, Karve Road,
Pune - 411004, Maharashtra. 25.01.2005
to
24.01.2008 91-020-25440490
25439671 / 25436851 91-020-25652536 d.v.tikekar@vsnl.com
mahilasevamandalpune@rediffmail.com
20. Vivekanand Balsadan Kamptee
Seth Daga Dharmashala, Opp. Rly. Station, P.O. Kamptee-441002,
Dist. Nagpur, Maharashtra 19.09.2008 to 18.09.2011 07109-288632
91-07109-288632 vivekanandbalsadan@yahoo.com
vivekanandbalsadan@rediffmail.com
21. Vatsalya Trust
Plot No. 1285 Near Kanjur Police Station, Kanjur Marg, (East)
Mumbai-400042 07.09.2010 to 06.09.2013 022-25782958 / 022-25794798 /
022-25784810 022-25784820 vatsalyatrust@inidatimes.com
info@vatsalyatrust.org
22. Missionaries of Charity, Church Road, Vile Parle (West),
Mumbai-400056, Maharashtra 15.10.2010 to 14.10.2013 91-022-26184068
/ 26102843 corrine.queira.soza@gmail.com
23. Ashirwad (Adoption Centre) Indian Children Welfare Trust, 1044,
Jaganade Chowk, KDK College Road, Nandawan, Nagpur, Maharashtra
24.09.2009 to 23.09.2012 0712-3299710 / 2715697
ashirwadicwt_india@yahoo.co.in
24. Balwant Krtar Anand Foundation (Preet Mandir)
Anand Corner, 18, Dr. Coyaji Road, Pune-411001, Maharashtra The
recognition of Preet Mandir, Pune for undertaking Inter-country
Adoption is revoked with w.e.f 20.05.2010 020-26361027 / 26360081 /
26330602 020-26361969 / 26361481 preetmandir2@vsnl.net
preetindianadoption@vsnl.net
