The average timeframe for an adoption process from India is 18-24 months and decreasing. Families adopting a currently waiting child may experience a quicker timeframe. The waiting timeframe for a referral of a child and the subsequent approvals within India is unpredictable and unknown for each family.

The children who are available for adoption are boys and girls, some sibling sets, ages 6 months - 15 years of age. Families research medical needs during the home study process and list the medical needs they are comfortable considering adopting. Medical needs include; heart conditions, blood conditions (including HIV), hand, foot, leg or arm differences, vision or hearing impairments, cleft lip/palate, developmental delays, spine conditions, cerebral palsy as well as other medical conditions. Many conditions can be corrected or managed by surgery or therapy and many children receive therapy or surgery while in India. America World has many resources to help families research and consider various medical needs or adopting an older child.

Minimum age 27. See the chart for parent-to-child age ranges.

Couples should be married a minimum of 2 years.

Couples with more than one divorce are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Families with up to 3 children in the home qualify to adopt from India. Families with 3 children in the home must adopt a child with some level of medical need. Families with 4 children in the home, or single women with 2 children in the home, can apply to adopt a child who is older than 5 years or a younger child with a moderate to severe medical need.

Families must be able to show they can adequately provide financially for their children. Income and full financial status will be evaluated as part of the adoption process.

All criminal history will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Any felonies or crimes against children will disqualify families from eligibility.

Applicants must show that they are physically and mentally fit to parent a child by adoption. Current, major, or chronic medical issues within the past 2 years, including mental health diagnoses, are considered on a case by case basis. A psychological assessment will be required along with the home study report.

Current counseling (or counseling in the past 5 years) for any reason, including but not limited to: anger management, mental health, anxiety or depression, trauma, pornography or chemical dependency, etc., needs to be reported to intake as a part of your application. This history does not necessarily preclude you from adopting, but will need to be disclosed and is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please discuss any incidents in your personal history which could be a point of concern with Intake staff so we can assess the adoption program best suited to your family.

Families will typically be in India for 2 weeks. This includes traveling to the city where the child’s orphanage is located as well as working with the U.S. Consulate in New Delhi.

Post-Adoption report requirements vary depending on the requirements of the orphanage, province and court decree. The minimum report requirement is every 6 months for 2 years. The maximum is every 3 months for 2 years with additional self-reports every 6 months for 5 additional years.