Have you been trying to have your own baby for long, but all your attempts failed due to your health condition? Do you want to adopt a child now? Well, that’s a wonderful thing, in fact. So, before you get started with the legal procedure of adoption, it’s better to know the options you have and whether or not you are eligible for adoption according to Indian laws.

Types of Adoption

Well, there are different types of adoption procedures. They depend on two factors. Firstly, the effect of the procedure on the biological mother of the child you are going to adopt. Secondly, the location of the adoptive party (you) and the party at the other end (from where you adopt).Adoption Options

  • Open Adoption – As the name suggests, in procedure of adoption is open. That means the child who you have adopted has the right to access his or her adoption records. This right is granted to the child, when he or she attains the age of 18. Moreover, the biological mother of the adopted child is allowed to meet her child, be in touch with him or her. However, the extent of the access depends greatly on the consent of both the parties. One of the most important facts about open adoption is – the birth mother, can meet the soon-to-be adoptive parents to choose which couple is the best for her baby’s adoption.
  • Semi-Open Adoption – This procedure is more or less similar to the former one, except a little change that the biological mother of the adopted child is not allowed to have physical contact with her child once he or she is adopted. Once her child attains adulthood, semi-adoption can change to an open or a close one.
  • Closed Adoption – In this type of adoption, there is no any contact (pre or post-adoption) between the birth mother and the adoptive couples. Most of the close adoption processes authorize the sharing of related information. However, in some cases absolutely no information is shared. These kinds of rules are enforced, especially when the child has been rescued from an abusive environment.
  • Intra-family Adoption– In this type of adoption, the procedure can be commenced within a family. Also, a child can be adopted by his or her step-parent (post the remarriage of the birth parent). This adoption can occur, if a child’s biological parents have died or they are unable to afford the upbringing of their child.
  • Domestic Adoption – This procedure refers to an adoption procedure in which the birth mother as well as the adoptive parents belong to the same country (citizens).
  • International Adoption– In an international adoption, a child can be adopted by an international couple (citizens of other county). In India, domestic adoption is prioritised. And when it comes to an international adoption, PIOs and NRIs are given the priority in comparison to the foreign nationals.

 

Who can adopt a child?

As per Indian law, a NRI (Non Resident Indian), an Indian citizen or an international citizen can adopt a child. However, there are strict rules and regulation to be followed. Also, the documentation is different for different procedures. Apart from married couples, single females can also go for adoption. A single man is not allowed for the same, but there are some exceptions.