Licensed Adoption Placement Agency (LAPA)

Licensed Adoption Placement Agencies are those agencies that are licensed to undertake In-country adoptions. These agencies are registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. and are required to adhere to the adoption guidelines/ rules, laid down by the State Government/Central Government from time to time. Many LAPAs are subsidized by the Central Government. Child care standards, staffing, levels of professional care, monitoring mechanisms are stipulated by the State Government/ CARA.

Every LAPA has a moral and legal responsibility to function within the ambit of the law and in the best interest of the child. While admitting an orphan or destitute child, the LAPA will give a name to the child, record briefly the social background of the child, record identification marks of the child, record height and weight of the child, conduct medical examination of the child and get the child photographed. In case of all new arrivals, the local authority should be informed within 24 hours and in case of admission of any abandoned child, the Home will file FIR with the nearest Police Station and inform the local authority and the CWC within 24 hours.

A LAPA is required to send periodical reports to the State Government, ACA and CARA. All registered prospective adoptive parent(s) may avail counseling facilities which is to be given free by the LAPA.

List of LAPAs in India