Overview
India has two adoption routes. Hindus (including Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs) can adopt directly under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act — a registered adoption deed with the giving and taking ceremony, typically for adoption within families. Everyone else, and all adoptions of orphaned/surrendered children, go through the Juvenile Justice Act's CARA process — registration on CARINGS, home study, referral, and a court/District Magistrate order; this is also the only route for international adoption. The wrong route produces adoptions that fail at passport offices, schools, and inheritance — we make sure yours is valid everywhere.
Key Provisions — HAMA + Juvenile Justice Act (CARA), 1956 / 2015
- HAMA — Hindus may adopt a son or daughter; consent of the spouse is mandatory; a registered adoption deed is near-conclusive proof.
- Under HAMA, one cannot adopt a second child of the same sex as an existing child; age gaps of 21 years apply for opposite-sex adoptions.
- JJ Act/CARA — the mandatory route for adopting orphaned, abandoned or surrendered children, and for non-Hindus and NRIs/foreigners.
- An adopted child has the same inheritance rights as a biological child from the date of adoption.
What You Can Get
How We Handle It
Route Selection
HAMA deed or CARA process — decided by religion, the child's status, and your residence.
Paperwork & Eligibility
Consents, home study (CARA), and eligibility compliance done right the first time.
Deed / Court Order
Registered adoption deed with ceremony — or the JJ Act adoption order.
Post-Adoption Records
Birth certificate, school and passport records updated to the new parentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we adopt our relative's child?
Yes — relative adoption is recognised under both routes: a HAMA deed for Hindus, and a simplified relative-adoption procedure under the JJ Act for others and for NRIs.
Is a notarised adoption paper enough?
No. HAMA adoptions should be by registered deed with the giving-and-taking ceremony performed; JJ Act adoptions need the court/DM order. Anything less fails when it matters.
Legal Connect connects you with independent family-law advocates; we are not a law firm and this page is general information, not legal advice. Family matters are handled with complete confidentiality — call +91 22 6555 3444.