INDIadoption

	How do children come to the Placement Agencies?
Many children are abandoned in the hospitals or in the street corners for various reasons. These children are referred to as "abandoned children", whereas in certain cases, the mother surrenders her child due to various reasons. In these cases, the child is referred to as "surrendered child". Any placement agency will have both the abandoned or surrendered children. In the case of surrender of a child, the parents willing to surrender should execute a document as Free Will under no compulsion to surrender the child. The surrendered document is executed on a stamped paper in the presence of two responsible witnesses. In the case of a destitute and abandoned child, special courts called Juvenile Welfare Board or Child Welfare Committee have to give its clearance that the child is legally free for adoption. Only after getting the clearance from the Juvenile Welfare Board, destitute and abandoned children could be adopted.
	Who can adopt?
A Hindu Male, who is over 21 years of age and of sound mind, may adopt. But, if he is married, he can adopt only with the consent of his wife. A Hindu female, who is unmarried, divorced or widowed and is over 21 years of age and is of sound mind, may adopt a child.
	Can I as a foreigner, adopt an Indian child?
Yes. But you have to follow procedures laid down in Guidelines for Adoption from India 2006
	Who may be adopted?
Any child, who has not been already adopted, can be adopted.
	What is NOC?
NOC is a “No Objection Certificate" issued by Central Adoption Resource Agency for a child to be placed in Inter-country adoption with a particular parent / parents.
	How long does it take for a NOC to be issued? Is there any fee for it?
If all papers are in order and complete, it will not take more than 10 – 15 days to issue a NOC. There are no fees chargeable for it.
	Where can I know the status of my child’s NOC?
You can approach the Indian Placement Agency from where you have accepted the Child.
	How much do I have to pay for adopting a child?
No fee is charged for giving a child in adoption. However, you may have to pay a nominal sum, which the licensed agency might have incurred, for keeping the child in their institution. However, this fee also will be fixed by the Court of Law.
	How much time will it take for me to adopt a baby?
In order to have a full-fledged legal adoption, there are certain procedures to be followed that have been detailed under the heading "The Procedures". These procedures may take up at least 3 months till you finally bring your baby home.