October 2025 Adoption Stories – Legislative Updates

By Teesta Bhola-Shah

Hey everyone, Teesta here. It is fall, Halloween just passed, and lawmakers have been busy. Let’s talk about legislative updates worldwide for adoption!

1) Technical updates from CARA

In September and October 2025, India’s adoption portal got a new update. Adoption in India is centralized and runs through CARA, the Central Adoption Resource Agency. The CARINGS portal that was previously used has been moved to a new unified government portal. During the switch some matching and referral services were suspended temporarily so adoption stakeholders were asked to pause certain actions while the migration finished. CARA also posted reminders that every prospective adoptive parent must register and follow the online process. You can read CARA’s official notice about the migration and the registration requirement on the CARA site. (cara.wcd.gov.in)

Besides the portal move, CARA has been directing state agencies to strengthen counselling and psychological support for prospective adoptive parents and adopted children. That guidance aims to make counselling a more consistent part of the adoption process across states. This was discussed in legal and policy reporting on the issue. (SCC Online)

2) U.S. federal bill to boost pre and post adoption supports

In the U.S. a bill called the Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act, S.600, was introduced in the 119th Congress in February 2025. The bill is aimed at enhancing pre adoption and post adoption services such as counseling and family supports. The official text and congressional record show the bill was referred to committee after introduction. That means it is in the legislative process and is a formal proposal to expand support services for adoptive families. (Congress.gov)

There are also related proposals in Congress that address adoptee rights and immigration or citizenship issues for adoptees. You can track these bills on congress.gov and related civics trackers. (Congress.gov)

These bills are important because they show policy progress for adoption to be considered as more than just a legal step. Now, counseling and other supportive frameworks can be provided to help birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive parents.

3) Ireland’s greater transparency

Ireland’s Birth Information and Tracing Act of 2022 continues to be a major example of legal change that gives adult adoptees clearer rights to their birth certificates and early life information. Irish government pages and the Adoption Authority writeups explain how the law works and the access rights it provides. Adoptees have guaranteed rights to know their birth records now. (gov.ie)

In other parts of Europe there is active political discussion and some legislative movement toward greater access to origins. For example, a draft resolution in France in 2025 proposed guaranteeing a right of access to origins. There is still variation across countries on what records are available and at what age. The European Agency documentation maps those differences. (child-identity.org)

For many adoptees the ability to access birth records or tracing services can be a huge part of identity, health history, and closure. Laws are slowly shifting toward more openness in some places. (gov.ie)

4) Netherlands and inter country adoption policy

The Netherlands announced a careful phase out approach to inter country adoptions that started in late 2024 and carries forward into 2025. The Dutch government’s explanation shows the policy is meant to give origin countries and stakeholders time to prepare while prioritizing child welfare. You can read the official Dutch government statement for details. (Government of the Netherlands)

The government of The Netherlands announced a six‑year phase‑out of new inter‑country adoption procedures, beginning with an immediate halt to new cases in May 2024, and continuing through until about May 2030 to allow origin‑countries, licence‑holders and existing adoptive‑families time to complete or adjust their adoption processes. (Government of the Netherlands)

On one hand, supporters say this shift is long overdue: they point to a 2021 governmental commission report that documented longstanding issues including document forgery, inadequate oversight and harm to children in past international adoptions, arguing that children’s best interests are served by remaining in their country or culture of origin rather than being moved abroad. (defenceforchildren.nl)

On the other hand, opponents caution this policy risks reducing opportunities for children in need of permanent homes and may frustrate prospective adoptive families. They argue that reforming existing systems and strengthening them would be a better route than a full phase‑out. (nltimes.nl)

5) Adoption Awareness Events

During National Adoption Week (October 20-26, 2025), the UK‑wide campaign led by Adoption England and You Can Adopt ran under the theme “A Welcome Home”, which challenges the idea that only a perfect house or family can adopt. The campaign features an immersive pop‑up installation in London and Leeds shaped like a real kitchen which adoptive families helped design, showing that people don’t need a huge house or wealth to adopt, they just need love and connection. (thurrock.gov.uk)

Simultaneously, regional agencies like Adopt London are running virtual Q&A sessions and live “meet the adopters” events so potential parents can hear real journeys and ask honest questions. (Adopt London) And across the country, organizations are highlighting data that show many approved adopters live in modest homes or rented accommodation, to break down the myth of needing “perfect” criteria. (adoptcoasttocoast.org.uk)

Want to read more?

Here are some of the resources I used + you can learn more by clicking on these links!

• CARA notice about CARINGS migration and portal guidance. (cara.wcd.gov.in)
• CARA directions on counselling and state implementation. (SCC Online)
• Text and record for S.600 Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act. (Congress.gov)
• Ireland Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 official page. (gov.ie)
• France draft resolution on right of access to origins. (child-identity.org)
• Netherlands government statement on phasing out inter country adoption. (Government of the Netherlands)
• Adoption Matters and Adopt London National Adoption Week materials. (Adoption Matters)