24/7 CRISIS SUPPORT:
Pregnancy ONLY
Hotline: 1-888-731-6601
PWNL After Hours Crisis Hotline: 1-888-955-3339
24/7 CRISIS SUPPORT:
Pregnancy ONLY
Hotline: 1-888-731-6601
PWNL After Hours Crisis Hotline: 1-888-955-3339
Barker’s India Adoption Program is open to Indian Heritage families and non-Indian Heritage families. With decades of experience in India, we work closely with the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and trusted child care institutions across the country to guide you every step of the way.
In India, children waiting for adoption are cared for in orphanage or group home settings until a permanent family is found. Every child matched through Barker’s India Program is legally free for adoption under CARA.
Families adopting from India may welcome:
At least one adoptive parent must be a U.S. citizen, and families must be open to a child (or siblings) up to age 4 at minimum.
Open to families where one parent holds an Indian passport (NRI) or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
Open to families of most backgrounds who are open to children with identified needs.
Click here to fill out the India Waiting Child Pre-Screening Form.
CITIZENSHIP: At least one parent must be a United States citizen.
MARRIAGE: Heterosexual married couples with 2 years of stable marriage. Single females may be eligible, and single males may be eligible to adopt male children.
AGE: Parents must be at least 25 years old and there must be a 25 year age difference between the child and the youngest parent. When calculating eligibility for married couples, the years, months, and days of age must be added together in order to determine eligibility.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Domestic families in India and Indian Passport Holder (NRI) families are given priority. OCI cardholders are given the same priority as NRI families.
EXISTING CHILDREN: Families cannot have more than 1 child already in the home. An exception allows families with two or more children to adopt a child with special needs.
HISTORY: All adopting parents must show good moral character with no criminal history. All adopting parents are required to complete a psychological evaluation.
AGE AT REFERRAL & PLACEMENT: Children in need of families through this program range in age from 6 months to 17 years, including children with specialized needs ranging from minor to significant and sibling groups.
CARE IN COUNTRY: Children reside in orphanages.
BIRTH PARENTS: Children typically come into care because they are lost or abandoned. In the unusual case that children are surrendered for adoption by their birth parents, there is still no background information available on the birth parent. As a result, limited to no background information is available from the time before a child came into care.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Referrals presented include limited medical information (but allow families to ask for a doctor visit), relinquishment history, limited development information, and a photo of a child.
GENDER: Families can request specific biological sex but need to be aware of delays when doing so.
COMMON NEEDS:
Traditional (Heritage) Program: Children matched through the traditional program are considered overall healthy with the potential for normal growth and development. Prospective adoptive parents must be prepared for mild delayed meeting of developmental milestones, malnutrition, minor/correctable issues, impacts of institutional care, potential abuse, and neglect history.
Waiting Child Program: Moderate to significant specialized needs, including all of the above listed. Common needs seen are cleft lip, club foot, HIV+, developmental delays, developmental disabilities, missing limbs, hearing/vision issues, cerebral palsy, among others.
Attend a Free Adoption Information Meeting
Learn about Barker’s India Program, ask questions, and explore if this is the right path for your family.
Schedule a Pre-Adoption Consultation
For a more in-depth, one-on-one conversation, meet virtually with our India Program Director.
Apply & Complete Home Study
Begin pre-adoption training and your home study process.
Submit Your Dossier to CARA
Once approved, Barker staff will guide you through child referral and matching.
Travel & Placement
Families travel to India to meet their child and complete the adoption in-country.
Post-Placement Support
Barker provides lifelong support and community connections after placement.
Learn More About The Process:
India Adoption Program (Full Service)
THE BARKER ADOPTION FOUNDATION HAS WORKED IN INDIA FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
For more than three decades, Barker has partnered with CARA and orphanages in India to unite children with permanent, loving families. Families adopting through Barker receive:
When you adopt through Barker, you join a community committed to children and families—then, now, and always.
Questions? We’d love to talk with you.
info@barkerfoundation.org 301-664-9664