There is no general adoption law in Bangladesh. For Muslims, personal law does not recognise adoption that transfers full parentage, so a child cannot become the legal child of new parents in the way many other legal systems allow. Hindu law recognises adoption in defined circumstances. For most families, the practical route is guardianship under the Guardians and Wards Act 1890, which gives legal authority over the child's care without changing parentage. We explain which route applies to a particular family, what it achieves, and what additional steps protect the child's long-term interests, documents and inheritance.

Intercountry adoption is not available in the usual sense, and Bangladesh is not part of the Hague intercountry adoption system. Courts are cautious about guardianship applications that are, in substance, a way of taking a child abroad permanently, particularly by applicants without a close family connection. Non-resident Bangladeshi relatives have a stronger position, but the destination country's immigration and family rules also matter, and some countries will not treat a Bangladeshi guardianship order as equivalent. We assess eligibility on both sides and coordinate with foreign counsel before any application is made.

Adoption, where available, usually creates a permanent parent and child relationship with inheritance rights and a change in legal identity. Guardianship gives a person legal authority to care for a child, make decisions about education and health, and sometimes manage property, under the supervision of the court. It does not end the child's relationship with the birth family, change parentage or create automatic inheritance rights. A guardianship order can be varied or discharged. We explain these differences carefully, because families sometimes assume a guardianship order has the effect of adoption when it does not.

The court's central concern is the welfare of the child, considered in light of the child's personal law, age, sex, wishes where the child is old enough, existing relationships, and the character and capacity of the proposed guardian. Consents or objections from living parents and close relatives are important. The court will also look at the applicant's home, income, health and plans for schooling and care. We prepare a clear application supported by documents and witness evidence, and help the family present a stable, credible plan that addresses any concerns the court is likely to raise at the hearing.

Bangladesh has no specific law that permits, regulates or prohibits surrogacy as such. That absence creates uncertainty rather than freedom. The woman who gives birth may be treated as the mother for legal purposes, agreements may not be enforceable, and payments can raise legal and ethical concerns. Medical providers may also decline to participate. We advise intended parents to take legal advice before any arrangement, to understand the risks for parentage, citizenship and travel, and to consider whether another lawful route, such as guardianship of a related child, better meets the family's aims and protects the child.

Citizenship by descent generally depends on the child's legal relationship with a Bangladeshi parent, and Bangladeshi authorities may require evidence of parentage that a foreign surrogacy birth certificate does not straightforwardly provide. Foreign parentage orders, birth records and in some cases genetic evidence may be relevant. The approach of the Bangladesh mission and the authorities can vary, so careful preparation matters. We review the foreign documents, advise on the evidence needed, coordinate with foreign counsel, and prepare the legal basis for applications for registration, citizenship and a passport for the child, keeping every record consistent.

Under Muslim law in Bangladesh, a child under guardianship or informal adoption does not inherit from the carers as an heir. Parents can still provide for the child through registered gifts during their lifetime, wills limited to the permitted share and subject to the rights of legal heirs, nominations on bank accounts and insurance, and other planning tools. Under Hindu law, a valid adoption can create inheritance rights. We review family assets and design a practical plan, recognising that poorly documented arrangements often lead to bitter disputes with relatives after the parents die.

Timing depends on the court, the completeness of documents, whether parents or relatives consent, and whether any objection is raised. An uncontested guardianship application with clear evidence moves faster than a contested one, but court schedules vary between districts and we cannot promise a fixed timetable. Matters involving foreign documents, a child abroad or a later immigration application add further steps. We prepare thoroughly at the start, anticipate the court's questions, and keep families informed of realistic stages so that travel, schooling and work plans can be arranged around the process.