2. Why was COI formed?
COI was organized by an inspired and appreciative adoptive parent who wanted to help orphans from India. The adoptive was ?

3. What differentiates COI from other adoption agencies?
COI’s philosophy and child assistance programs set it apart from other agencies. At COI, adoption is a personal and professional commitment. COI’s first priority is to unite institutionalized children with forever families and provide them with love and security. COI also provides financial and educational support to orphanages and orphans. COI believes that anything is possible for children in need.

4. What types of programs does COI develop and support?
Some of our programs include:

• COI financially supports orphanages in Bangalore, India. These orphanages were able to expand their educational facility and help older orphans with vocational education.
• COI financially supports orphanages in need in Kerala, India. These orphanages were able to purchase milk, clothing, and other supplies for their resident orphans.
• COI also supports a vocational training center in Bangalore, India.
• COI is involved in numerous child welfare projects throughout India and is planning to educate older orphans on a larger scale.

5. How is COI funded?
COI’s non-profit work in adoption and child services is funded entirely with adoption fees and donations. The fee paid is used for processing the adoption, coordinating services, and developing ongoing child assistance programs. Child assistance programs receive additional support from individual donations, grants, and corporate supporters. COI receives no government subsidies for its programs.

6. What is the most important consideration when selecting an adoption agency?
Parents adopting internationally often feel that they have so little control over the adoption process. COI understands these and other frustrations. A reputable agency strives to work with the family and child placement authority as team toward placement of a child into a loving home. The agency should also understand the customs and legal issues of the adoptive country. COI understands this all too well. COI exclusively helps parents who only want to adopt orphans of Indian origin. COI has the experience to navigate the streets of India to help the adoptive parents find the love of their life.

7. Who can adopt children?
The guidelines are set by the Indian government agency called CARA.

8. How long does the adoption process take?
Most adoptions take about one year to process; but some may take as little as seven months. The length of the adoption process varies from state to state within India.

9. How much does it cost?
Nationally, adoption costs can range from a low of $1000 for domestic adoptions to $20,000 for international adoptions. These costs depend on a number of variables including the adoption agency, orphanage donation requirement, immigrations fees, and associated travel expenses. For a comprehensive look at COI’s adoption costs and fees, please refer to the page entitled “Adoption”

10. Why does international adoption cost so much?
International adoption is very complex and involves many procedures. These steps include meeting state adoption requirements, compiling and preparing documents, obtaining US and foreign visas, advocating for the family in India, clarifying the child’s legal status, obtaining the child’s available background and medical information, and securing government and legal approval of the adoption. To help carry out, COI not only maintains a centralized staff in United States but also employees representative in India who assists families with legal issues, foreign government relations, and travel to complete their adoptions.

11. How can I help?
The children’s needs are great and there is much you can do to help. Families, institutions, and businesses can provide donations and in-kind contributions. In addition, these can partner with COI to greatly enhance the success of COI’s programs in India. Specifically, you can:

Sponsor a Child
Not every child in need can be adopted. Sponsorships are $24/month and provide these children with access to education, medical treatment, and nutritional assistance. COI matches American sponsors with children in India.

Sponsor a Project
COI works with partner institutions in India to help children. Projects include infant feeding program in Trivandrum, India; vocational training for street and slum kids in Bangalore, India; orphanage renovation in Bangalore, India; just to name a few.

Donate to one of COI’s Adoption funds
Donations are gratefully accepted for COI Special Needs Grant. This fund directly helps adoptive parents who help adopt a special needs child.

12. We live in the US but aren't citizens. Can we adopt through one of your international adoption programs? What if we are permanent residents?
No. At least one parent of a two-parent family must be a US citizen in order to adopt internationally and bring the child back to the United States to live. This also applies to families that are permanent residents.

13. Where can I get more information of COI?
Interested parents can find detailed information at the COI website: www.childrenofindia.org
You can also Email your questions to info@childrenofindia.org