India is a diverse and culturally rich country in South Asia, known for having one of the world’s 7 wonders, vibrant celebrations, and most populous country. Adoption in India has a long history, influenced by social, cultural, and legal changes over the decades. The country has developed a structured adoption system to address the needs of orphaned children. As of now, 7,060 adoptions have been recorded from India to the United States. Of these, 30% were males and 70% were females, and a remarkable 62% were children in the 0-2 age range.
Children Available:
Although we cannot post children on Adoption Bridge, there are many children waiting in the India program. Children of all ages are available, with a higher frequency of children in the 0-2 age range. Sibling groups are also part of the waiting children. The needs that we see in the children range from minor or correctable needs to more severe conditions. Importantly, in most cases we see vast improvements in children with special needs once they are receiving the proper medical care they deserve.
While predicting yearly trends is challenging, patterns do emerge. For instance, in 2022, four of our matches involved children with cleft lip and palate, whereas in 2023, there were none. Additionally, in 2023, we saw a gender distribution of 11 girls and 1 boy. Currently, for this year, we have six matches, equally divided between three girls and three boys. Despite the year-to-year changes in the types of needs we see, our team is doing a wonderful job providing the appropriate child referrals for all of our families.
There are several compelling reasons to consider adopting from India:
- Quicker Process: The average time from start to finish is 2-3 years, with referral times ranging from 6-10 months.
- Eased Travel: The process requires little travel and time away from home, with only one trip needed, lasting 1.5-2 weeks. With only one parent required to travel.
- Inclusivity: The program is open to single applicants. Single women can adopt children of any gender, while single men can adopt males.
- Hague Country: As a Hague Convention country, India ensures facilitated cooperation and adherence to international adoption standards.
If you have any inquiries or require further information regarding the India adoption program, please reach out to Alison.lamsma@nightlight.org.