Can I adopt a child in Kozhikode under the state juvenile justice rules and what is the procedure?

Detailed Legal Analysis

Adoption of a child in Kozhikode is governed by the Juvenile Justice Act read with Kerala Rent Control Act 1963, which prescribes the procedure for in-country adoption through the State Adoption Resource Agency and the Specialised Adoption Agency. You must register on the central adoption portal, undergo a home study by the agency, and be declared eligible before a child is matched and placed in pre-adoption foster care pending the court order.

The Kerala High Court has held that adoption must follow the statutory procedure strictly and that any deviation, including direct placement, is illegal and void. The adoption order is passed by the District Magistrate under Kerala Rent Control Act 1963 after verifying the consent of the biological parents and the welfare of the child.

Engage a lawyer to prepare the adoption petition and the affidavits, as the court requires strict compliance with the documentation and the timeline before confirming the adoption.