5 questions you must ask the adoption agency (Question # 1)

Since the time the adoption process had gone online, to a large extent, Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAA) role has been reduced to a clearing house.  Does that mean everything has become transparent?  Far from it.

Still, there are issues that one ought to be careful with, to be sure that they do everything right.  Here are five questions I came up with for you to ask the adoption agency to know that you have done your bit of the home work.  At the end of the day, you ought to know this:  There are no fool proof guarantees but only making informed decisions in the best interest of your child to come.

Question # 1:  When is your license due for renewal?  As per the new guidelines, adoption agency license is issued by the respective state for five years.  Adoption agencies can apply for the renewal six months prior to the expiry date.  What you need to know is that if they have applied for the renewal or not.  If they have applied, the date of submission of the renewal application and any communication from the state thereafter.  

Sub Para (4) of para 24 of new adoption regulations - 2017, states the following: In case the Specialized Adoption Agency has applied for recognition or renewal with the State Government and the provisional registration certificate has not been issued by the State Government within one month from the date of application, the proof of receipt of application for registration shall be treated as provisional recognition to run the agency for a maximum period of six months.

If the adoption agency had applied for the renewal and if they have not heard from the state government, you can be safe that their license is still active for the next six months from the date of submission of renewal application (as the guidelines stated above in red).  

If in case the adoption agency had received the communication from the state stating reasons why their license is pending renewal, you perhaps want to know the reason(s).  

If in case, the adoption agency had not applied and the license had expired or the state had expressed their reason explicitly in writing why their license renewal is pending (in case of applying six months prior to expiry of licence) it is wise to inform CARA immediately to seek their guidance.  Adopting a child from unlicensed entity would amount to illegal adoption.

Tomorrow we'll talk about "Do I get a receipt for the payment I make"?  Why is it important and how much do you have to pay to the adoption agency etc.  

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