INDIA ACCEPTS:
Childless married couples
(married for at least 2 years)
Married couples with children
Single people (under certain conditions)
A HISTORY OF ADOPTION IN INDIA
Involved in humanitarian activities since the early 1980s in Indian schools and orphanages, the Œuvre de l’adoption’s accreditation receives regular renewals by Indian administrative authorities and is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Between 1982 and 2020, 157 children were entrusted to French families, supported by the COFA Marseille Committee.
Both in France and in India, COFA Marseille works closely with stakeholders in the institutional, private, and voluntary sectors.
In India, our main partner is the central authority (CARA) responsible for centralising and organising the adoption process.
For the past ten years, the number of children entrusted to us has significantly dropped. In addition, children are aged 6 to 8 years, which is considered to meet criteria for “special needs children.”
Beginning of the procedure
To apply, send a covering letter with a copy of the approval, the accreditation notice, reports (social investigation and psychological report), a photograph, and a stamped envelope for our reply.
Reviewing your application
Applications are reviewed by several people. Applicants will receive a letter if their application is not approved. Otherwise, following a phone interview, applicants are approved for a given country and are sent a “preliminary questionnaire,” to be filled out before a potential invitation to an interview.
Interview(s)
Each team operates according to its own rules. Depending on a country of origin’s requirements, several interviews may be needed. These involve questioning applicants about their project to become adoptive parents.
Decision
The AAA and applicants have ten days to make a decision. If it is positive, the committee sends a PMER (Plan de Mise en Relation, contact plan, or agreement) to launch the adoption process.
Details about the Indian adoption procedure can be found on the website for the
Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs — Adopting in India
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/adopter-a-l-etranger/le-processus-de-l-adoption-internationale/le-choix-du-pays-d-origine/article/adoption-en-inde
E-visa online visa form for India
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
VFS site to request visas other than the Indian e-visa
https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/france/
ADOPTION FOLLOW-UP
In accordance with requirements from Indian and French authorities, our Indian team offers follow-up visits to families in the two first years following a child’s arrival in France.
ORGANISATION AND WORKINGS OF THE INDIAN TEAM
Comprising three people, unlike teams in China, Vietnam, and Nepal, the Indian team benefits from a part-time employed secretary. Since November 2020, the Indian team has held office hours on Wednesday mornings instead of Friday mornings..
Children will be granted French nationality.
India signed and ratified the Hague Convention in 2003.
