Considering adoption? From who can adopt to the steps involved in Singapore, here’s everything you need to know about child adoption...
In the second episode of our Growing Pains podcast, Fluff Bakery co-founder Nursyazanna Syaira shares with us her adoption journey. According to the mumpreneur, there are two options for adoption in Singapore. The first route is via a private adoption agency. These are for-profit companies; thus, prospective adopters may have to fork out more money. The second option is the public route via the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
Curious to know more about the adoption process in Singapore? Read on to find out…
How to adopt a child in Singapore
Who can adopt in Singapore?
These are the criteria to be met if you’re looking to adopt a child in Singapore:
- You must be a resident in Singapore to adopt.
- Potential adopters have to be at least 25 years of age and at least 21 years older than the child (no more than 50 years).
- Both married couples and individuals can adopt, but single males can’t adopt a female child unless there are special circumstances to justify the adoption.
What are the steps to follow when adopting in Singapore?
There are two parts to the adoption process:
Things to do pre-adoption
1. Attend the Pre-Adoption Briefing
This is a compulsory 2.5-hour session conducted by accredited agencies. Potential adopters will learn about the adoption process, their adoption eligibility, and other useful information on being adoptive parents.
2. Apply for a Home Study Report (HSR)
HSR is a comprehensive assessment of your life; it lets you know whether you’re eligible and ready to adopt a child. “They will assess your mental health, physical health, financial health, how’s the state of your marriage, how’s the state of your family, who’s going to support you after you have the child, how’s the child’s support system going to be like… And then they will assess whether you are ready to be adoptive parents,” Syaira explains. Currently, the HSR costs $2,000 and is valid for two years.
For non-Singaporeans, they will have to apply for a Letter of Approval before commencing the HSR. This can be done by obtaining a Letter of Support from their home country’s embassy or high commission.
3. Find a child to adopt
You can look into two options: your contacts or MSF. If you choose to go with the former, ensure that the source is legal and the transfer process is conducted properly. Also, make sure that notarised consent has been obtained. Both local and foreign children can be adopted in Singapore. You must apply for a Dependent’s Pass if you’re adopting a foreign child. If you’re looking to adopt a child from the People’s Republic of China, you must fulfil the criteria set out by both Singapore and China.
4. Obtain the child’s identification documents
Gather all the documents and ensure that everything is genuine. These documents include their birth certificate and passport.
5. Prepare a breakdown of costs involved
Potential adopters must provide an itemised breakdown of costs incurred during the child transfer. Proof of original receipts must be included in the breakdown. Under Singapore’s Adoption of Children Act, adopters are not allowed to receive payment or any other reward for carrying out the adoption. This ruling does not apply to adoptions permitted by the Family Court.
Applying for the adoption
When you have completed the five steps listed above, submit your application to the Family Court. This can be done in person or through your lawyer. Only completed applications will be processed.
6. Attend interviews with MSF
A Child Welfare Officer will conduct interviews to know more about your family and the adoptee’s status and circumstances. These interviews can be done either at the MSF office or on other premises. The officer may also request to visit your home. After the social investigation, MSF will prepare the assessment on your adoption application (AKA the affidavit) to the Family Court.
7. Apply for and attend the case hearing
MSF will send the affidavit to you or your lawyer, which you must submit to the Family Court within two weeks. You will also need to apply for a hearing date for which you or your lawyer need to be present.
If your adoption is successful, the Family Court will inform the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to issue a new birth certificate for your adopted child. A letter will be sent to you or your lawyer to collect the birth certificate once it’s ready. If your application is unsuccessful, you will have to return the child to their family at your expense.
Helpful resources to aid your adoption journey
To those looking into adopting in Singapore, Syaira recommends reading up on parenting and adoptions, understanding the processes, and doing extensive research. She also suggests speaking with someone who’s gone through the adoption process to know more. Below are some resources that you can look into:
- The MSF website covers the adoption process extensively. Peruse everything so that you know what you should do every step of the way.
- You can also go through this page created by the Singapore Courts. There is a video that explains the adoption process in Singapore.
- If you want to know more about the Adoption of Children Act, you can read the legislation here.
- Do you have burning questions about the adoption process? SteppingStones has an FAQ list that we find very useful. The agency also suggests books you can look into and workshops you can attend.
- Did you know there is a Government-Paid Adoption Benefit for adoptive parents in Singapore? This is similar to maternity and paternity leave. Read up about it here.
- Touch Community Services has produced a great piece explaining adoption to your child.
- Adoptive parents, please know that you are not alone in this journey. If you’re looking for support, you can join the Singapore Adoption Facebook page or Fei You’s support group.
Good luck on your adoption journey!