Adopting a foreign child in Singapore: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Dayana Rizal (talk | contribs) |
Dayana Rizal (talk | contribs) m (Dayana Rizal moved page Adopting a foreign child in Singapore - Criteria, documents & costs to Adopting a foreign child in Singapore over redirect) |
||
| (6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:MSF logo.jpg|thumb|''The adoption process in Singapore involves the MSF, the Family Justice Courts, and registered adoption agencies.'']] | |||
''This is an entry about adopting a non-Singaporean child in Singapore.'' | ''This is an entry about adopting a non-Singaporean child in Singapore.'' | ||
| Line 5: | Line 6: | ||
According to the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, the duration for most adoption applications tend to be lesser 6 months.<ref>" | According to the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, the duration for most adoption applications tend to be lesser 6 months.<ref>"[https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/what-we-do/family-courts/adoption Adoption]". ''Family Justice Courts''. Accessed on 24 May 2019.</ref> The following are the adoption agencies that work with the Ministry of Social and Family Development: TOUCH Family Services Ltd ([https://www.touch.org.sg/about-touch/our-services/touch-adoption-homepage official website]), Fei Yue Community Services ([https://www.fycs.org/our-work/children/children-in-care-services/workshops-talks/ official website]), Lutheran Community Care Services ([https://lccs.org.sg/1065-2/ official website]) and Apkim Centre For Social Services (ACOSS) ([http://www.apkim.sg/subindex.asp?id=A014_10 official website]). | ||
== | ==Requirements== | ||
Before adopting a child, there are a few prerequisites for the parties involved. | Before adopting a child, there are a few prerequisites for the parties involved. | ||
===Adoptive parents=== | ===Adoptive parents=== | ||
In order to be able to adopt, potential adoptive parents have to fulfil the following requirements.<ref> | In order to be able to adopt, potential adoptive parents have to fulfil the following requirements.<ref>"[https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/Who-can-Adopt.aspx Adoption: Who can adopt?]". ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated February 7, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2019.</ref> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Age | !Age | ||
| Line 30: | Line 31: | ||
*Unmarried males cannot adopt a girl | *Unmarried males cannot adopt a girl | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)<ref> | ==Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)== | ||
The pre-adoption briefing is the compulsory first-step for potential adoptive parents.<ref>"[https://app.adoption.gov.sg/RegisterWorkshopIntro.aspx Adoption Portal]". ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Accessed on 28 November 2019.</ref> Both spouses are encouraged to attend the briefing together. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Location | !Location | ||
| Line 48: | Line 49: | ||
==Documents required== | ==Documents required== | ||
[[File:Lutheran Community Care Services logo.png|thumb|''Lutheran Community Care Services is one of the registered adoption agencies in Singapore.'']] | |||
The following are the documents needed for adopting a non-Singaporean child (in chronological order). | The following are the documents needed for adopting a non-Singaporean child (in chronological order). | ||
| Line 54: | Line 56: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Location | !Location | ||
! | !Register | ||
!Notes | !Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 77: | Line 79: | ||
Apkim Centre For Social Services | Apkim Centre For Social Services | ||
|The HSR is valid for 2 years and can only be used for 1 adopted child. | |The HSR is valid for 2 years and can only be used for 1 adopted child.<ref>"[https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/Apply-for-Home-Study-Report.aspx Adoption: Apply for a Home study Report]". ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Accessed on 28 November 2019.</ref> | ||
|} | |} | ||
===Dependant's pass=== | ===Dependant's pass=== | ||
| Line 86: | Line 88: | ||
!Register | !Register | ||
!Duration | !Duration | ||
|- | |- | ||
|'''Dependant's pass''' | |'''Dependant's pass''' | ||
|$360 | |$360<ref>"[https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/dependants-pass/apply-for-a-pass Apply for a Dependant's Pass]". ''Ministry of Manpower''. Accessed on 28 November 2019.</ref> | ||
|[https://app.adoption.gov.sg/ApplyForDependantPass.aspx Online registration] | |[https://app.adoption.gov.sg/ApplyForDependantPass.aspx Online registration] | ||
|3 weeks (online registration) | |3 weeks (online registration) | ||
|}Successful applicants need to put down a S$1,000 - S$2,000 security deposit on the collection day.<ref>"[https://blog.moneysmart.sg/family/adopting-child-singapore/ How Much Does Adopting a Child in Singapore Cost? According to A Single Mum, $32,000]". ''Moneysmart''. September 2, 2019. Accessed on 28 November 2019.</ref> This will be refunded 2 months after the child is adopted. | |||
|}Successful applicants need to put down a S$1,000 - S$2,000 security deposit on the collection day. This will be refunded 2 months after the child is adopted. | |||
==Applying to the Family Courts== | ==Applying to the Family Justice Courts== | ||
[[File:Family Justic Courts.jpg|thumb|''The Family Justice Courts at Havelock Square in Singapore. Photo from The Straits Times.'']] | |||
===Filing documents=== | ===Filing documents=== | ||
Potential adopters can submit an application to the Family Courts personally or through a lawyer. A lawyer can help with the filing of necessary documents. The adoption forms can be assessed on the website ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Family Justice Courts website]). | Potential adopters can submit an application to the Family Courts personally or through a lawyer. A lawyer can help with the filing of necessary documents. The adoption forms can be assessed on the website ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Family Justice Courts website]). | ||
===GIA (Guardian In Adoption) Report=== | ===GIA (Guardian In Adoption) Report=== | ||
Potential adopters will then need to apply for the Director of Social Welfare to be their GIA. The GIA will decide if potential adopters are ready to adopt a child. | Potential adopters will then need to apply for the Director of Social Welfare to be their GIA. The GIA will decide if potential adopters are ready to adopt a child.<ref>"[https://www.pkwalaw.com/child-adoption-singapore.html Adoption in Singapore]". ''PKWA Law Practice LLC''. Accessed on 28 November 2019.</ref> | ||
These are the documents required to receive a GIA: | These are the documents required to receive a GIA: | ||
| Line 125: | Line 126: | ||
|The cheque should be made payable to ‘AG/MSF’. | |The cheque should be made payable to ‘AG/MSF’. | ||
The documents have to be sealed in an envelope. | The documents have to be sealed in an envelope. | ||
|}Potential adopters will then be interviewed by a Child Welfare Officer (CWO) from MSF. There will also be a home visit. The responses collected will be used to prepare an affidavit. The adopters have to submit the affidavit to the Family Courts no later than 2 weeks after receiving it. The Family Courts will assess the adoption application based on these findings. | |}Potential adopters will then be interviewed by a Child Welfare Officer (CWO)(appointed by the GIA) from MSF.<ref>"[https://www.pkwalaw.com/child-adoption-singapore.html Adoption in Singapore]". ''PKWA Law Practice LLC''. Accessed on 28 November 2019.</ref> There will also be a home visit. The responses collected will be used to prepare an affidavit. The adopters have to submit the affidavit to the Family Courts no later than 2 weeks after receiving it. The Family Courts will assess the adoption application based on these findings. | ||
===Adoption Order=== | ===Adoption Order=== | ||
It is compulsory for the adopter and/or their lawyer to attend the hearings. If the Family Courts grants the Adoption Order, they will inform the Registry of Births & Deaths and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to issue a new birth certificate for the child, which the adopters will be informed to collect. | It is compulsory for the adopter and/or their lawyer to attend the hearings. If the Family Courts grants the Adoption Order, they will inform the Registry of Births & Deaths and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to issue a new birth certificate for the child, which the adopters will be informed to collect. | ||
| Line 132: | Line 133: | ||
If the Court dismisses the application, the child will have to be returned to the original family. | If the Court dismisses the application, the child will have to be returned to the original family. | ||
==Disclosure workshop (Post-adoption)== | ==Disclosure workshop (Post-adoption)== | ||
Adoptive parents can attend a Disclosure Workshop which will guide them in breaking the news to their adopted children. This workshop is available at TOUCH Family Services Ltd and Fei Yue Community Services. | Adoptive parents can attend a Disclosure Workshop which will guide them in breaking the news to their adopted children.<ref>"[https://app.adoption.gov.sg/RegisterWorkshopIntro.aspx Adoption Portal]". ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Accessed on 28 November 2019.</ref> This workshop is available at TOUCH Family Services Ltd and Fei Yue Community Services. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Location | !Location | ||
Latest revision as of 16:52, 11 March 2020
This is an entry about adopting a non-Singaporean child in Singapore.
- For an entry on adopting a Singaporean/ PR child in Singapore, refer here.
- For an entry on adopting a PRC child, refer here.
According to the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, the duration for most adoption applications tend to be lesser 6 months.[1] The following are the adoption agencies that work with the Ministry of Social and Family Development: TOUCH Family Services Ltd (official website), Fei Yue Community Services (official website), Lutheran Community Care Services (official website) and Apkim Centre For Social Services (ACOSS) (official website).
Requirements
Before adopting a child, there are a few prerequisites for the parties involved.
Adoptive parents
In order to be able to adopt, potential adoptive parents have to fulfil the following requirements.[2]
| Age | Citizenship | Marital status |
|---|---|---|
|
At least one person in the couple should be the following:
|
|
Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)
The pre-adoption briefing is the compulsory first-step for potential adoptive parents.[3] Both spouses are encouraged to attend the briefing together.
| Location | Duration | Fee (SGD) | Register | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOUCH Family Services Ltd
Fei Yue Community Services |
2.5 hours | $50 / person | Online registration | Available in English, Mandarin and Malay. This is a compulsory pre-adoption workshop. |
Documents required
The following are the documents needed for adopting a non-Singaporean child (in chronological order).
Letter of Support
For non-Singapore Citizens who want to adopt a foreign child, they must get approval from their home country. The Letter of Support is needed before the Home Study can commence.
| Location | Register | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Respective embassies or High Commissions | Application form | This is compulsory for foreigners who want to adopt a foreign child in Singapore. |
Home Study Report (HSR)
Potential adoptive parents must pass their HSR before applying for the Dependant's Pass.
| Fee (SGD) | Register | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Study Report | $1,500 | TOUCH Family Services Ltd
Fei Yue Community Services Lutheran Community Care Services Apkim Centre For Social Services |
The HSR is valid for 2 years and can only be used for 1 adopted child.[4] |
Dependant's pass
If the child is not a Singapore citizen in any form, the adoptive parents will have to apply for a Dependant's Pass. This should be done after the Home Study Report (HSR).
| Fee(s) (SGD) | Register | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependant's pass | $360[5] | Online registration | 3 weeks (online registration) |
Successful applicants need to put down a S$1,000 - S$2,000 security deposit on the collection day.[6] This will be refunded 2 months after the child is adopted.
Applying to the Family Justice Courts
Filing documents
Potential adopters can submit an application to the Family Courts personally or through a lawyer. A lawyer can help with the filing of necessary documents. The adoption forms can be assessed on the website (Family Justice Courts website).
GIA (Guardian In Adoption) Report
Potential adopters will then need to apply for the Director of Social Welfare to be their GIA. The GIA will decide if potential adopters are ready to adopt a child.[7]
These are the documents required to receive a GIA:
| Documents | Fee(s) | Deliver & deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$250 per application | Child Welfare, Child Protective Service (10th floor)
|
The cheque should be made payable to ‘AG/MSF’.
The documents have to be sealed in an envelope. |
Potential adopters will then be interviewed by a Child Welfare Officer (CWO)(appointed by the GIA) from MSF.[8] There will also be a home visit. The responses collected will be used to prepare an affidavit. The adopters have to submit the affidavit to the Family Courts no later than 2 weeks after receiving it. The Family Courts will assess the adoption application based on these findings.
Adoption Order
It is compulsory for the adopter and/or their lawyer to attend the hearings. If the Family Courts grants the Adoption Order, they will inform the Registry of Births & Deaths and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to issue a new birth certificate for the child, which the adopters will be informed to collect.
If the Court dismisses the application, the child will have to be returned to the original family.
Disclosure workshop (Post-adoption)
Adoptive parents can attend a Disclosure Workshop which will guide them in breaking the news to their adopted children.[9] This workshop is available at TOUCH Family Services Ltd and Fei Yue Community Services.
| Location | Duration | Fee (SGD) | Register | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOUCH Family Services Ltd
Fei Yue Community Services |
2.5 hours | $50 / person | Online registration | This is an optional post-adoption workshop. |
References / Citations
- ↑ "Adoption". Family Justice Courts. Accessed on 24 May 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption: Who can adopt?". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption Portal". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption: Apply for a Home study Report". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "Apply for a Dependant's Pass". Ministry of Manpower. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "How Much Does Adopting a Child in Singapore Cost? According to A Single Mum, $32,000". Moneysmart. September 2, 2019. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption in Singapore". PKWA Law Practice LLC. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption in Singapore". PKWA Law Practice LLC. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption Portal". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Accessed on 28 November 2019.