[Mihoshi]

We were recently turned onto India because we've just discovered that they don't have a minimum age requirement. Has anyone worked with CHI? Please pm me if you have any informaiton on them.

I'm also a little curious on some points that I haven't found answers to yet. I notice a lot of sites on India describe things like "under 40 years = baby, 50 = toddler or older child." Is it a problem to request a slightly older toddler/child (in the 2-5 years range) at 22-23 years of age? I know that seems fairly obvious but when I assume things I end up being mistaken. We are both non-Indian with a bio-son who's almost 2 if that makes any difference with that age group.

Also, I've read that India has many more girls than boys right now and that male placements can't be guaranteed anymore - are there any issues with requesting a female (or possibly sisters) or do they use the luck-of-the-draw philosophy?

Are there any other restrictions or major obsticles that I should be aware of while considering this option?

I haven't researched any of South Asia yet, so thank you in advance for your help!

[harwell_2]

While I don't know anything about CHI and am relatively new to this forum, I can give you a little information on India adoption.

My husband and I have requested a little girl from the Mumbai region. Our agency allows you to choose a gender but if you want a boy it will double your wait time. My guess is you will have no problem requesting a toddler. The one stipulation for India we have come across is they want couples to be together for at least 5 years. This means you could have dated for two and been married for three etc.

We also chose India because they did not have an age requirement-we are both 27. Good luck with your adoption. Be sure to keep us updated!

[Mihoshi]

If we are able to get around the age issue at CHI, we're hoping to start the process next Summer. Good luck with your adoption as well!

[Jo~Kiwi~]

Just wanted to say a big Hi to both of you! We're in the final stages of adopting a little 5yr old boy from Delhi - We're just now awaiting guardianship and a travel date.

Best of luck,

Jo

[Mihoshi]

I've just seen on CARA that on section 4.1 it states that adoptive parents can be no younger than 30. Can anyone explain this to me? Are the agencies saying no lower age limits outdated?

[harwell_2]

I have never heard this about India. I will have to check it out. I know our agency does not have an age requirement.

[Jo~Kiwi~]

I just looked back on the programme guide we got, and for our agency, the minimum age was 21, and you had to have been married two years or more. I'm not sure if our agency is continuing the India programme though. If you want, pm or email me for agency info.

Best of luck!
Jo

Jo

[Mihoshi]

I just wanted to mention that I spoke with an agency and the requirements have supposedly been changed to 30+ and 5 years of marriage.

So India just isn't going to be in our cards

[lswimmer]

I have a bunch of comments that may only be specific to the agency we used. For this agency so many families want girls that the wait is longer for girls. Also, because of all the requirements for non-Indian familiies, the child at the age of referral will probably be about 15 months. And then there can be about a 6 month wait so your child would end up being close to the age you would like.

India involves a lot of paper work but I would be encourage adoption from India. We just brought our little 22 month boy home yesterday!

[Jo~Kiwi~]

Laura, hes home?!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!! What wonderful news. I can't wait to hear all about it - when you have the time, I'd love to know all about your trip. Michell is home, you're home...it just has to be my turn soon.....

We're still waiting on guardianship. We've had two court dates that we know of, and its looking like guardianship may still be a month away. As best we know, this new judge has signed a grand total of two international cases since he started work at the end of July.

Stay in touch!
Jo

[lswimmer]

Originally Posted by Jo~Kiwi~

Laura, hes home?!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!! What wonderful news. I can't wait to hear all about it - when you have the time, I'd love to know all about your trip. Michell is home, you're home...it just has to be my turn soon.....

We're still waiting on guardianship. We've had two court dates that we know of, and its looking like guardianship may still be a month away. As best we know, this new judge has signed a grand total of two international cases since he started work at the end of July.

Stay in touch!
Jo

Yes- our little boy has been home for 3 weeks now- so I don't hav much time to type. He's a real charmer. It's still a little daunting to me to have a little one in the house. Feel free to send me a private note if you have any questions about travel. I forget, are you also dealing with Pune? Laura