• Application
• About FTIA
• Information Packet Request
• Travel Information
• References, Family Stories, and Pictures
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Country Chat Groups
• FTIA Reunion Information
• Financial Assistance
• Informational Seminar Schedule
• Email FTIA
• How to Get Started
• Links
• Newsletter
•   China
•   Guatemala
•   Russia
•   Vietnam
•   India
•   Ethiopia

Legal Requirements to Adopt from India

At this time, we cannot accept applications from families seeking to adopt girls or boys under the age of 24 months. We will consider applications for families open to special needs or children 4 years of age or older on a case by case basis. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

The India program is accepting applications from non-resident Indian (NRI) or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) couples only. Other applicants (w/o NRI/OCI) may be accepted on a case-by-case basis for adoptions of older children and special needs children.

According to the Indian Adoption Law and current practice in India:
In order to adopt a healthy child . . .

• Adopting parent(s) must be at least 30 years of age and no more than 45 years of age to adopt an infant. Adopting parent(s) can not be more than 55 years of age to adopt.
• If willing to adopt an older child, the combined age of both parents should not exceed 90 years.
• Parents should be married at least 2 years and have been in their relationship at least 5 years before applying to adopt.
• Financial ability to care for a child.
• Age difference of the adoptive parent(s) and child should be 21 years or more.

When your child is assigned (referred) to you, you will receive his/her picture and all available health information including a child study. At that time you will be asked to confirm in writing your acceptance of your child to the Indian Adoption Officials and to Families Thru International Adoption. After your written acceptance is received in India along with your dossier, the official legal work begins. If for any reason you refuse to accept your referral, the Indian Adoption Officials have the discretion of making a further assignment or refusing to do so based on their judgment.

Although you may request a specific age, there are no guarantees that you will receive the exact age requested. Indian Adoption Officials will try to honor your request, and our staff in India advocates on your behalf to the Indian Adoption Officials.

Foreign Service Providers

Families adopting through India can expect to work with one of the following Foreign Service Providers:

• Bal Vikas - Mumbai
• Missionaries of Charity - Mumbai
• Priyadarshani - Pune