Family
Adoption or guardianship of a child
Adopting a child you are not related to is only legal through CARA. Adopting a relative’s child or a stepchild has a simpler route — but still needs an order.
Answer a few questions and get your list →What the law says
Adoption of orphaned, abandoned or surrendered children, and relative or step-parent adoption, is governed by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Adoption Regulations, 2022; adoption orders are passed by the District Magistrate and applications go through CARA’s CARINGS portal. Hindus may also adopt under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956. Personal laws of Muslims, Christians and Parsis do not provide for adoption, but anyone can adopt under the JJ Act, or be appointed guardian by a court under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890. Taking a child without this process is illegal and can be treated as trafficking.
General information, not legal advice.
Papers that usually help
- ID and address proof, and photos of the adoptive parents
Required for registration. - Marriage certificate (if a couple) and consent of the spouse
Couples must adopt jointly with consent. - Income proof (salary slips, ITR)
Part of the eligibility check. - Medical fitness certificates
Required by the Adoption Regulations. - Your birth certificates / age proof
There are age limits by the child’s age. - The child’s birth certificate and the birth parents’ consent
Needed for relative or step-parent adoption. - Register on CARA’s CARINGS portal
The only lawful route for adopting an unrelated child. - Proof of the child’s situation (parents’ death certificates, or why you should be guardian)
The court decides in the child’s welfare.
Questions Saboot will ask you
- What are you trying to do?
- What is your situation?
- Which personal law applies to you?
- Do you live outside India?
Sources
- Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
- NALSA — free legal aid
Common situations
- Want to adopt a child
- Want to adopt a relative’s child
- Single woman wants to adopt
- Need guardianship of a minor after parents died
- Gave a child informally to relatives — now a dispute
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