Consulate of Canada in Kolkata, India

Refer to International adoption.

To adopt a child in India, you must meet the adoption requirements of the province or territory where you live as well as the adoption requirements in India. Canadians should contact the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) for more information on the local process. Canadian citizens habitually residing in Canada should also contact an accredited agency in the province or territory where they reside for advice and information on how to adopt abroad.

Canadian citizens who are residents abroad are frequently asked by foreign adoption authorities to provide a letter from a Canadian authority approving the adoption and indicating that the child will be permitted entry to Canada. This letter is often referred to as a “Letter of no objection or involvement” for non-resident Canadians. To obtain this letter please contact the Consular Section at india.consular@international.gc.ca.

Some adoptive parents are eligible to apply for citizenship for their adopted child, while others must first sponsor the child for permanent residence. For more information, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's Adopt a child from abroad page.

Surrogacy

India has banned foreign commercial surrogacy.

Refer to Birth abroad.

The birth of any child must be registered with the local municipality authority or the district offices of the Registration of Births and Deaths in India. As a general rule, births are registered automatically by hospital staff; however, you should confirm whether this has been done. The birth certificate can usually be collected from the municipal corporation office 15 days following the registration process.

Refer to Marriage abroad.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents who wish to marry in India should contact the office of the Registrar of Marriages of their place of residence to obtain further information. Registration of marriages in India is done either under the Hindu Marriage Act (1955) or under the Special Marriage Act (1954). The Hindu Marriage Act is applicable to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs only. The Special Marriage Act is applicable to all persons irrespective of religion. Under this Act, conversion of religion is not required.

The Registrar of Marriages asks for a letter from the High Commission or Consulate stating that the Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident who wishes to have his/her marriage registered is free to marry. Canadian law does not require nor provide for the issuance of any certificate or other document as proof of the eligibility of a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident to marry. As we are not in a position to issue such a document, the Consular Section issues a certificate called the “Statement in lieu of Certificate of Non-impediment to marriage” which is usually accepted by local authorities. Please book an appointment with the Consular Section to obtain this certificate. The fee is CAD 30.00.

The office provides the following notarial services to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada. Note: Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French.

Authentication/Attestation (certify the document signature, the position of an official and the seal are genuine):

• Documents issued in Canada must be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa before the office will certify the documents (fees apply).
• Witness a signature on a Statement in lieu of certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad form (fees apply).
• Clients requiring information about authenticating documents while outside of Canada, refer to Authentication of documents.

Certified copy (certify the document is a true copy of the original):

• Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
• Government-issued identification requiring a certified true copy (fees apply).

Witness a signature (consular officer witnesses a signature):

• Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).
• Government-issued identification requiring a witnessed signature (fees apply).

Note: Complete all documents before booking an appointment. Sign all documents in front of the consular officer.

Refer to Retiring abroad.

India does not recognize same-sex marriages.

• Submit visa applications and study and work permits to a visa application centre (VAC). Book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a VAC.
• Submit permanent residence applications and documents to a visa office.
• Submit applications to overcome criminal inadmissibility to a visa office.

Refer to Elections (voting from abroad).