Section 194: Application to be filed for adoption

1) A foreigner or couple qualified under Section 192 and desirous of adopting a Nepali minor or a minor of a foreigner domiciled in Nepal shall make an application to the Board, accompanied by the following documents, through the embassy of his or her country in Nepal and where no such an embassy is situated in Nepal, the embassy designated for Nepal or the central agency of the concerned country which gives permission for adoption:

(a) The applicant’s birth registration certificate,

(b) The applicant’s recently taken photograph,

(c) A photocopy of the applicant’s passport,

(d) A document certifying the applicant’s marital status,

(e) A certificate issued by a licensed medical doctor on the applicant’s health,

(f) A certificate issued by the governmental body of the concerned country, indicating that the applicant is of good character and has not been convicted by a court of a criminal charge involving moral turpitude,

(g) A document that certifies the applicant’s property and income source,

(h) The applicant’s social, psychological and home study report,

(i) Age, sex and other details of the child sought for adoption,

(j) A letter of consent issued by the government of the applicant’s country for making an adoption in Nepal,

(k) A letter of guarantee issued by the government of the concerned country or by the embassy of that country based in Nepal or designated for Nepal indicating that, according to the law of the applicant’s home country, the status of the person to be adopted is equal to that of the applicant’s biological son or daughter,

(l) A letter of guarantee issued by the government of the applicant’s home country, embassy of that country based in Nepal or designated for Nepal indicating that, according to the law of the applicant’s home country, the applicant is qualified to make adoption and has the financial capacity to bear all responsibilities including maintenance, health care, education and protection of the minor to be adopted.

2) The documents referred to in sub-section (1) shall be written in the English language or translated into the English or Nepali language by a competent body.

3) If it is found, from an inquiry into the application received pursuant to sub-section (1), that it is appropriate to grant permission for adoption according to the applicant’s request, the Board shall, by keeping confidential the applicant’s name and address, forward the details relating thereto to the selection committee.

4) The application to be made pursuant to sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by the application fee as determined by the Government of Nepal, on the recommendation of the Board.