Can those orphaned by Wayanad landslides be adopted? Know the legal aspects

Many people are stepping forward to adopt children orphaned by the Wayanad disaster. However, many people are unclear about the adoption process.

The first step for prospective adopters is to register on the website of the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). On this website, you can find state-wise and district-wise adoption agencies. In Kerala, there are 14 adoption agencies.

If a couple is from Thiruvananthapuram, they should select the specialised adoption agency in Thiruvananthapuram when registering with CARA. The District Child Protection Office and the authorised adoption centre will then conduct a home study of the registered applicants. Prospective adopters must be physically, mentally, and emotionally stable, financially capable, and free of life-threatening medical conditions.

In the case of a couple, consent from both is required. Now, if the combined age of the father and mother is less than 85 years, then they can adopt children between 0 and 2 years of age. If the combined age of the father and mother is between 85 and 90, children between two and four years of age can be adopted.

If the combined age is between 90 and 100, children between four and eight years of age can be adopted, and if it is between 100 and 110, children between 8 and 18 years of age can be adopted. Adoption is not possible for individuals over 55 years of age. For children above five years old, the child's interests are also taken into consideration.

Single parents can also adopt. A single woman can adopt a child of any gender, while a single man can only adopt a boy. The adopter must be at least 25 years old, and the age difference between the parent and the child should be at least 25 years.

Currently, there is a waiting period of three years after registration. The annual income of adopters in Kerala should not be less than Rs 2.5 lakh, though this limit varies from state to state.

In the case of Wayanad, there are practical obstacles to the current situation. Rehabilitation is possible only after determining whether the children in camps and hospitals are complete orphans or if they have relatives elsewhere.

Generally, the adoption process is as described above. It is not yet clear whether the Wayanad situation will be treated as a special case.