Adoption is a very deep commitment that transforms lives. Though there is a lot of patience in the way the legal process goes, the payoff is inestimable. Adherence to the right procedure will safeguard the best interests of the child. This is a trip that builds forever families and offers children with good homes.
Legal Advice BD is here with a comprehensive guide, “How to Adopt a Child: Legal Procedures and Requirements.” Let’s get started!
Eligibility Criteria for Adopting a Child in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, adoption is subject to certain regulations. The rules ensure that children are placed in good and secure homes. These requirements have to be achieved by both local and foreign parents. The Guardians and Wards Act controls the process.
Age and Marital Status
Couples that are married are supposed to adopt jointly. Single women can also adopt. Only single men are not permitted to adopt. The age of adoptive parents should be more than 18 years. The upper age limit does not exist, and the parents should have the physical capacity to take care of the child.
Financial Stability
The parents should demonstrate a stable income. They must demonstrate that they are able to take care of a child. This involves feeding, educating, and treating. Evidence has to be provided by the bank statements and employment letters. The economic status of the family should be stable.
Mental and Physical Health
The physician has to confirm that the parents are healthy. This involves physical and psychological well-being. Parents are not supposed to have severe health conditions. This is aimed at making them be able to take care of the child until adulthood.
Background and Character
The parents must have a certificate of good character issued by the police. Their social background will also be taken into consideration by the court. Their home will be visited by a social worker. This is so as to make the home environment safe and healthy for a child.
Religion
The Bangladeshi law normally enforces that parents and children should be of the same religion. This is a critical aspect in the process of adoption. Welfare of the child is the first consideration when making decisions by the court.
Legal Framework Governing Adoption in Bangladesh
Adoption in Bangladesh is largely regulated by the Guardians and Wards Act of 1890. One should know that this law does not entail full adoption. Rather, it creates a legal system of guardianship. Adoptive parents are appointed by the court as the legal guardians of the child.
The Family Courts monitor this process. The most important consideration in making a decision is the happiness of the child. In case of Muslim families, the Islamic Shariah law can be used as well, and it is not familiar with the concept of adoption. It permits guardianship, although it preserves the original biological line of the child.
This would entail rigorous evaluation of the future parents. A social worker who is appointed by the court performs a home study. The last form of guardianship is the final guardianship order, whereby custody is given, but the child still retains legal connections with his birth parents.
This is an exclusive legal framework that determines the whole process of adoption within the nation.
Step-by-Step Child Adoption Process in Bangladesh
“How to Adopt a Child in Bangladesh” is one of the most commonly asked questions. Let’s know about the step-by-step process!
1. Initial Application
To begin with, reach out to an adoption agency that is licensed. You may also petition the family court. You will provide fundamental details about yourself. This initiates the formal process. A list of the documents needed will be provided to you by the agency.
2. Home Study Assessment
A social worker will make a home visit. Your family members will be interviewed by them. They monitor whether your house is child-friendly. They also test your parenting potential. This report is presented in court.
3. Document Collection
Gather all necessary papers. These are birth certificates, marriage certificates, and medical reports. You require tax statements and financial statements. The police also acquire clearance certificates. These are required by the court to confirm your eligibility.
4. Child Matching
The agency will recommend a child to be adopted. The child can be met in an orphanage. The child and you must be at ease. This is a good match process that makes everybody fit well.
5. Court Petition
Make an official petition to the family court. Send all your documents and home study report. Your application will be reviewed in court. They can request more information.
6. Court Hearing
Show up at the court session with your attorney. The judge will question you on your plans for adoption. They would like to make sure the child is well off. The hearing might continue in a number of sessions.
7. Legal Guardianship Order
On approval, the court grants a guardianship order. This renders you the legal custodian of the child. But this does not mean that it is entirely adopted under the Bangladeshi law.
8. Follow-up Visits
Social workers will make periodic visits to the patient after placement. They test the ability of the child to adapt to your house. The visits span a minimum of two years. The court keeps a check on the welfare of the child.
It takes time for the whole process. It may require several months to be completed. Having a good lawyer is significant. They can take you through every legal necessity in the right direction.
Discover how courts handle parental rights and responsibilities in our guide on child custody after divorce in Bangladesh: legal considerations.
Required Documents and Legal Formalities for Child Adoption Process in Bangladesh
- Parents’ birth certificates.
- Marriage certificate (in case married).
- Medical certificates of fitness.
- Income and employment evidence.
- Police clearance certificates.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Home study report.
- Family court legal petition.
- Medical and birth records of the child.
- Tax clearance certificate.
- Property documents (if any)
- Letters of reference from community members.
- Letter of approval of the adoption agency.
Make sure that all the papers are original or duly attested documents. Take them to the family court via your lawyer. Have duplicate copies of your records. The court will examine all the documents and then go ahead.
Conclusion
The process of adopting a child is significant. There is a legal procedure followed in Bangladesh. It is essential to know the steps and requirements. This map can be used to describe the adoption process. It discusses the legal processes and major criteria.
Hopefully, this guide, “How to Adopt a Child: Legal Procedures and Requirements,” has been insightful!