Yes, if you have siblings or other relatives who are legally supposed to maintain your parents/ senior citizen, you can file an application to get them involved in the case. Consult a lawyer for help with the process to file the application.
Theme: Family & Marriage
What are the main authorities that regulate adoption in India?
The following authorities do adoption work in India:
- Central Adoption Resource Authority – It is the central authority in charge of monitoring and regulating adoptions in India, receiving applications for inter-country adoptions, maintaining a database of children to be adopted, etc. Each state has a subset of this authority known as the State Adoption Resource Agency which works for the promotion, facilitation, monitoring and regulation of adoption in the states.
- Child Welfare Committee – It takes cognizance of the children brought before it, conducts enquiry and declares them free for adoption, etc.
- District Child Protection Unit – It aims to identify orphan, abandoned and surrendered children in the district and get them declared legally free for adoption by Child Welfare Committee, tracking the progress of children legally free for adoption, etc.
- Specialized Adoption Agencies – It is responsible for the care, protection and well-being of every child in its charge, and works for their needs.
The following authorities are in-charge of inter-country adoptions (adoption of children who are foreigners or foreigners adopting Indian children):
- Authorised Foreign Adoption Agency – It registers the prospective adoptive parents interested to adopt children from India and completes their Home Study Report, provides orientations to the parents about the child’s culture, etc.
- Indian Diplomatic Missions – It registers the adoption applications of Non-Resident Indian Prospective Adoptive Parents or Overseas Citizens of India in the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System, and processes them, etc.
If I live in Delhi, can I adopt a child from Gujarat?
Yes, you can adopt a child from a different state than the one you live in. To do this, while you are registering with Central Adoption Resource Authority, you should indicate your preferred states for adopting a child.
How long does it take to adopt a child in India?
The wait time depends upon several factors like choice of gender, age, medical condition of the child, preference of the state, etc.(( Central Adoption Resource Authority, FAQs, http://cara.nic.in/PDF/faqs.pdf.)) Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain the exact time period. Please see here for more information.
Can same sex couples adopt in India?
Although LGBTQ+ persons can adopt in India, same sex couples cannot. If you are a same sex couple, you may adopt a child separately and raise him/her together, but both you and your spouse cannot be legal parents of that child in India.
How is it decided who gets to adopt a child first, if multiple people have applied for adoption?
The decision is taken on the basis of seniority of prospective adoptive parents. Seniority is calculated from the date of successful registration, including submission of documents.(( Regulation 41, Adoption Regulations, 2017.)) For example, if Mini registered on 1st May, 2019, and Sita registered on 28th May, 2019, Mini is senior to Sita in terms of eligibility to adopt a child.
What is a home study report?
A home study is a report, valid for 3 years, conducted by the Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA) closest to your residence to determine your eligibility and suitability to adopt a child, and it includes details like social and economic status, family background, description of home and atmosphere therein and health status.(( Regulation 2(11), Adoption Regulations, 2017.)) This report will be completed within 30 days of your registration, and posted on the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS). Please see here for more information.
What is the difference between adoption and guardianship?
Adoption is different from guardianship. A guardian is a person who cares for a child or for his property till the child becomes an adult (turns 18 years old), but it does not create lasting legal or familial ties like adoption. For example, Aman’s parents are not alive anymore so his uncle may apply for guardianship. As Aman’s guardian, his uncle has the legal responsibility of his upbringing, property, major financial decisions etc.
There are two main legislations on guardianship:
- If you are a Hindu, you can refer to both Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 and Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956.
If you belong to any religious community except Hindu, you can refer to the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
Adoptive parent provide the child nothing with care
If anyone who has charge of or control over a child assaults, abandons, abuses, exposes or deliberately neglects the child, causing the child unnecessary mental or physical suffering, that person can be punished be punished with imprisonment for up to three years and/or a fine of Rupees one lakh.(( Section 75, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.))
Also, for any general adoption by a parent in India, a Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA) has to prepare a post-adoption follow-up report every six months for two years after the child has been placed with the adoptive parents.(( Regulation 13(1), Adoption Regulations, 2017.)) In case the child is having any adjustment problems with the adoptive parents, the SAA has to arrange counseling for such adoptive parents and adoptees.(( Regulation 13(5), Adoption Regulations, 2017.))
If a child is not able to adjust with the adoptive family, an application can be filed by the SAA in the Court which gave the adoption order, asking the Court to invalidate the adoption.(( Regulation 13(7), Adoption Regulations, 2017.)) If the adoption is terminated by the Court, the child can again be put up for adoption by other prospective parents.(( Regulation 13(8), Adoption Regulations, 2017.))
If the child is a Hindu and has been validly adopted by a Hindu parent under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, the adoption cannot be cancelled by the adoptive father or mother or any other person, and the adopted child cannot give up the adopted status and return to the family of birth.(( Section 15, Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956.))
Guide on Registration of Inter-religious Marriages
How can the guide help you?
The Nyaaya Guide on Inter-religious Marriages outlines the process involved if you wish to enter into an inter-religious or inter-faith civil marriage. Under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, two people belonging to different religions can get married without converting to another religion. This guide summarizes the legal and procedural aspects of entering into an inter-religious (special) marriage, including giving notice of the marriage, performing the marriage, and obtaining the marriage certificate.
What are the laws being discussed in the guide?
The Nyaaya Guide on Inter-religious Marriages explains the Special Marriage Act, 1954. This Guide only covers the general law based on the Special Marriage Act, and you might have to refer to state-specific Special Marriage rules and procedures for more detailed information suited to your situation.
PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
Things to Remember Before Applying
Who can get married under the Special Marriage law?
Irrespective of religion, any two people can marry under the Special Marriage Act as long as certain conditions are fulfilled. However, the Act only provides for a marriage between a man and a woman, and has not yet expanded its scope to cover same-sex couples and transgender people.
Who is eligible to marry under the Special Marriage law?
If you want to get married under this law, then at the time of the marriage you should be:
- Single or Divorced. You should not be married to another person who is currently alive.
- Capable of giving consent to the marriage with a sound mind.
Where do you go to register an Inter-Religious (Special) Marriage?
To register a special marriage, you should go to the Marriage Officer’s office, found in every district.
STEPS FOR AN INTER-RELIGIOUS (SPECIAL) MARRIAGE
Giving Notice of the Marriage
If you want to get married under the Special Marriage Act, you need to give a written notice of the marriage. The notice should be sent to the Marriage Officer of the district where you or the person you want to marry have been living. You should have been living in the district you are giving notice in for at least thirty days before notifying the Officer.
You have to submit documents for registering the marriage. While the required documents vary according to the State/Union Territory, here is a general list of documents you might require:
Publication of the Notice
The Marriage Officer will keep the notice with their office records and enter a true copy in the Marriage Notice Book, which can be inspected by any person at all reasonable times, free of cost. The Officer will also publish the notice by attaching a copy of the notice in a clearly visible place in their office.
At the time of applying for marriage, if you are not permanently residing within the district, the Marriage Officer will transfer a copy of the notice to the Marriage Officer of the district where you are permanently residing, and that Marriage Officer will attach a copy of the notice in a clearly visible place in their office.
Objecting to the Marriage
After a Marriage Officer publishes the marriage notice, any person can object to the intended marriage if it violates any of the conditions for a valid marriage under the Special Marriage Act. The objection must be made within thirty days of the notice publication.
Upholding Objection
If the Marriage Officer upholds the objection and refuses to perform the marriage, you can appeal to the concerned district court i.e., the court having judicial authority in the district where the Marriage Officer has their office. You should make the appeal within thirty days of the Officer’s refusal. The district court will take the final decision on the appeal, and the Officer will obey the decision of the court.
Performing the Marriage
Before the marriage is performed, you, the person you are marrying, as well as three witnesses, should sign a declaration in front of the Marriage Officer. The Officer will also sign the declaration.
You can perform the marriage at the office of the Marriage Officer. You can also choose to get married at any other place within a reasonable distance from the office. However, for this, you have to pay additional fees.
The Marriage Certificate
After the marriage has been conducted, the Marriage Officer will enter a certificate in the Marriage Certificate Book.
You, the person you are marrying as well as three witnesses must sign the marriage certificate. After the Officer enters the certificate in the Book, this certificate becomes conclusive evidence of the marriage.
The marriage certificate is legal proof of a marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. It confirms that the marriage is valid and has been completed with all formalities under the law. |