BEIJING, May 5 -- China's religion watchdog has banned unregistered groups and persons from adopting orphans or abandoned infants in the name of religion while making detailed rules on the proper adoption procedures.

"Only lawfully registered religious groups, venues and clergy as well as orphanages run by them are allowed to adopt orphans and abandoned infants. No other organizations or individuals should do so in the name of religion," said a circular jointly released Monday by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the State Administration for Religious Affairs.

The circular stressed that qualified religious groups should voluntarily cooperate with civil affairs departments in strengthening their daily management, taking good care of the adoptees and conducting various activities legally.

Meanwhile, groups wishing to run homes or orphanages independently should first apply for adoption approvals from civil affairs departments and sign agreement papers containing adoption responsibilities and instructions for attending to the adopted children, it said.

The circular urged would-be adoption groups that haven't met state standards to improve their infrastructure and adoption capacities.

"Those failing to meet requirements despite upgrading or those that neither cooperate with civil affairs departments nor gain adoption certificates will be banned from adoption activities," it said, adding that affected children will be sent to their guardians or to state charity homes if no guardian is found.

In addition, civil affairs departments are urged to make positive efforts to identify adopted orphans and prepare adequate documents for them to enjoy state compensation.