Adopting a PRC child in Singapore
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 foreign (non-PRC) child, refer here.
The adoption process for PRC (People's Republic of China) children is more stringent as there are requirements from both Singapore and China. This arrangement prevent's people from selling their babies under the pretense of adoption. As of 2019, only TOUCH Family Services Ltd (official website) and Fei Yue Community Services (official website) are registered with MSF to provide adoption for PRC children.
Prerequisites
Adoptive parents
To be eligible for child adoption, potential adopters have to fulfil the following requirements set by the China Centre for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA).[1]
| Age | Citizenship | Marital status | Finances | Education level | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
At least one person in the couple should be the following:
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|
|
|
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Reference letters
Potential adoptive parents must also obtain 3 reference letters from their children (only if they are above 18 years old) or teachers of their children.[2]
Pre-adoption
Training
Potential adoptive parents must undergo a minimum of 12 hours of training from a registered adoption centre.[3]
Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)
The pre-adoption briefing is the compulsory first-step for potential adoptive parents.[4] 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. |
Application fees
The agency will determine the adopters' eligibility and contact CCCWA. The agency will then submit the application to CCCWA.[5]
| Amount Payable (USD) | Payable to | |
|---|---|---|
| Application & Service Fee | $1,100 | CCCWA |
| Translation Fee | $350 | Bridge of Love Adoption Service (BLAS) |
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 | Registration | 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(s) (SGD) | Register | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Study Report | $1,500 | TOUCH Family Services Ltd
Fei Yue Community Services |
The HSR is valid for 2 years and can only be used for 1 adopted child.[6] |
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[7] | Online registration | 3 weeks (online registration) |
Successful applicants need to put down a S$2,000 security deposit on the collection day.[8] This will be refunded 2 months after the child is adopted.
Notice for Travelling to China for Adoption
The adoptive parents have to travel to China and bring the child to Singapore after completing the following:
| Procedure | Fee(s)(USD) | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Written adoption agreement | - | Social Welfare Institution |
| Register adoption | $820 | Adoption Registration Centre (province/region/municipality of the child) |
| Apply for child's VISA | ~$40[9] | Singapore Mission |
The adoptive parents will pay for the costs of the flight, accommodation and miscellaneous spending while in China.
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.[10]
These are the documents required to receive a GIA:
| Documents | Fee(s)(SGD) | 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.[11] 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.
Post-adoption
Disclosure workshop
Adoptive parents can attend a Disclosure Workshop which will guide them in breaking the news to their adopted children.[12] 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. |
Post Placement Reports (PPR)
Adoptive parents must submit post-placement reports through the adoption agency. They need to complete 6 post-placement reports throughout 5 years. The reports should be submitted at the following intervals - the 6th month, the 1st year, and the 5th year - upon successful adoption registration in China.[13]
References / Citations
- ↑ "Adoption: Criteria for adoption of a PRC child". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption: Criteria for adoption of a PRC child". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption: Criteria for adoption of a PRC child". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019.
- ↑ "Adoption Portal". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "Annex C PRC related child adoption flowchart". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Last updated on 22 June 2017. 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.
- ↑ "Annex C PRC related child adoption flowchart". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Last updated on 22 June 2017. Accessed on 28 November 2019.
- ↑ "Visa Application Requirements For PRC Nationals". Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. Accessed on 27 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.
- ↑ "Annex C PRC related child adoption flowchart". Ministry of Social and Family Development. Last updated on 22 June 2017. Accessed on 28 November 2019.