Indian Adoptees Frequentely
Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions people have before they start their journey

Can you help me find my Indian family?

At ARC, we possess extensive experience in locating adoption records and can offer the assistance needed to access the essential documentation related to your birth and biological family.

Why is searching so difficult in India?

Those responsible for maintaining our records, which encompass our identities, are uncooperative with adoptees. This issue begins with orphanages in India, entrusted with safeguarding our files, but they often hinder the search due to “irregularities” i.e., illegal activities, orphanage closures, relocations, or missing records.

This issue extends beyond India and is a global concern. Authorities in our home countries, as well as our adoption agencies, are frequently uncooperative. One significant difficulty is that these authorities, agencies, and adoptive parents often possess incomplete information, with vital parts of our files frequently missing, making the search for our Indian families extremely difficult.

These searches need to be carried out by a qualified Indian social worker who can maintain discretion, given the societal stigma associated with mothers of children born out of wedlock. Additionally, authorities will only consent to a reunion when there is a guarantee that the mothers’ lives and privacy are upheld and respected.

How much does it Cost?

To see the full breakdown of the costs involved, see costs page.

Do you get grant funding?

In the long term, our vision involves securing sustained funding for our organisation. However, at present, our financial sustainability relies on the fixed-rate fees paid by adoptees who have engaged our services to embark on the journey of searching for their family. 

I want to access my adoption papers in India. Can you recommend a lawyer?

No, we don’t provide an introductory service to third-party lawyers. Our own lawyer, Anjali Pawar, brings legal expertise to our services. Our commitment to adoptees from India encompasses a comprehensive search service, which includes access to lawyers and legal professionals across all regions of India. What sets us apart is our specialisation in searches and adoption matters. 

 Can I just get the name and address of my mother without doing a search?

Not at this time. We firmly believe that every adoptee has the inherent right to access this information without incurring costs, and this is the principle for which we are passionately advocating.

Nevertheless, the current reality is that Indian authorities closely guard adoptee files, making it an arduous process to obtain any information. It often entails years of unwavering dedication and continuous legal battles to break through these protective barriers and secure the data that rightfully belongs to adoptees.

I want to access my adoption papers in India. Can you recommend a lawyer?

No, we don’t provide an introductory service to third-party lawyers. Our own lawyer, Anjali Pawar, brings legal expertise to our services. Our commitment to adoptees from India encompasses a comprehensive search service, which includes access to lawyers and legal professionals across all regions of India. What sets us apart is our specialisation in searches and adoption matters. 

Do all Indian mothers of adoptees want to see their estranged children?

Usually yes. However, it’s essential to recognise that it involves navigating a particularly sensitive situation, demanding great care and experience. The complexity arises from the fact that some adoptees were born to unmarried mothers and significant social stigma is associated with an unmarried status in India.

Frequently, these birth mothers went on to marry, keeping their “illegitimate” children a secret from their new husbands. In each case, our approach involves reaching out to the mother and obtaining her approval to share her details with you. This process reflects our commitment to treating these delicate situations with utmost sensitivity and respect.

I want to access my adoption papers in India. Can you recommend a lawyer?

No, we don’t provide an introductory service to third-party lawyers. Our own lawyer, Anjali Pawar, brings legal expertise to our services. Our commitment to adoptees from India encompasses a comprehensive search service, which includes access to lawyers and legal professionals across all regions of India. What sets us apart is our specialisation in searches and adoption matters. 

 Is it easy for mothers to meet up with their estranged children?

Often the reunion can result in old wounds being reopened. Many times, these experiences would have been covered up and not addressed, but the hurt and pain would remain.

Nevertheless, in every instance we have encountered the mothers express a genuine desire to reunite with their long-lost children, even if it means confronting the complex emotions associated with the past.

Will you give me my mother’s name as soon as you find it?

Not necessarily. Reuniting a mother with her adopted child can be traumatic for both individuals. If not approached with care and sensitivity, it has the potential to generate social difficulties.

This is precisely where our expertise and social work qualifications prove invaluable. We follow a careful process, providing identifying information after the initial meeting, ensuring that both parties are comfortable and ready to proceed. Our approach aims to foster a supportive and considerate environment for all involved.

If I don’t have any paperwork what can I do?

Contact us with what information you do have and we will find a way of getting your file. We have many years experience in carrying out searches and overcoming the seemingly impossible is part of our job description.

Do you do anything illegal? Or pay bribes?

Our strong ethics are our foundation and we would never have survived in this murky arena if we did anything illegal. We’ve never been involved in bribery, and we strictly adhere to government regulations. This dedication to ethics may affect our pace, but we take pride in our unwavering commitment to ethical conduct.

 I don’t have a name or any identifying information for my mother. Do I have a chance?

Yes. Most of the adult adoptees we have helped so far were in the same position.

Can you explain how you do searches? It is my right and I can’t afford to pay.

No. Carrying out searches is laborious, complex, and time-consuming, sometimes spanning years. Arun, ARC’s founder, invested 17 years and 40 flights to India in his own search journey.. Our distinctive network of ethical social workers and lawyers in India, our strong reputation, and our ethical standards are integral to our work.

Each case involves a process akin to reverse engineering, and the confidentiality and trust of those who join us are paramount. Our services are exclusively available to our members. However, our ultimate goal is to make our role obsolete as soon as the Indian government makes this information publicly accessible.

 I was relinquished by my mother/father/relative, what are my chances of finding my mother?

Generally good. But first we would need to assess your paperwork. This will help us identify an orphanage and work out a suitable approach.

Can I do the search on my own?

Yes. You may be able to carry out a search on your own but we can assure you that it will cost a lot more than doing it through ARC. If you would like a breakdown of the estimated costs just get in touch.

I’m in India now (or I’m travelling there next week). Can you help me?

No. Even if we took you to your orphanage they would not share the necessary information. It can take years of legal challenges to get access to the files.