Adopting a child in Singapore - Criteria, documents & costs: Difference between revisions

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According to the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, the duration for most adoption applications tend to be lesser 6 months.<ref>"Adoption". ''Family Justice Courts''. Accessed on 24 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/what-we-do/family-courts/adoption</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]).
According to the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, the duration for most adoption applications tend to be lesser 6 months.<ref>"Adoption". ''Family Justice Courts''. Accessed on 24 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/what-we-do/family-courts/adoption</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]).
''This is an entry about adopting a Singaporean child in Singapore.''
* ''For an entry on adopting a '''non-Singaporean child''' in Singapore, refer here.''
* ''For an entry on adopting a '''PRC child''', refer here.''


==Prerequisites==
==Prerequisites==
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*Unmarried males cannot adopt a girl
*Unmarried males cannot adopt a girl
|}
|}
From 3 January 2014 onwards, British Nationals are not allowed to adopt a child in Singapore. For individuals belonging to other European Union nations, they will need to complete a '''Letter of Support for EU nationals'''.
==Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)<ref>‘Adoption: How to adopt a child from the People’s Republic of China’. ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-child-from-the-Peoples-Republic-of-China.aspx</ref>==
 
==Home Study Report (HSR)==
Potential adopters can find a child to adopt through personal connections (as long as they fulfil the prerequisites). Alternatively, they can find a child under State Care through MSF.
 
Potential parents must pass a home study before they can access the information of the children from MSF's affiliated adoption agencies.<ref>‘Adoption: How to adopt a Singaporean or Permanent Resident Child.’ ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated December 10, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-citizen-or-PR.aspx</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!
!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.
|}
 
===Adopting a stepchild<ref>‘Adoption: How to adopt a stepchild.’ ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from:   https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-stepchild.aspx</ref>===
Singapore citizens that want to adopt their stepchild can apply through MSF to have their Home Study Report (HSR) waived. The adopters will need to submit the following documents:
 
*NRIC
*Marriage certificate
*Child's birth certificate
*Child's travel documents (if they are overseas)
 
Those who are adopting their child born out of wedlock can also waive the HSR if they submit the necessary documents (stated above) on top of DNA tests to prove the paternity.
 
==Pre & post-adoption workshops==
The adoption agencies that work with MSF conduct workshops and programmes to help new adoptive parents. Pre- and post-adoption programmes are available at all 4 agencies.
 
===Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)<ref>‘Adoption: How to adopt a child from the People’s Republic of China’. ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-child-from-the-Peoples-Republic-of-China.aspx</ref>===
The pre-adoption briefing is the compulsory first-step for potential adoptive parents. Both spouses are encouraged to attend the briefing together.
The pre-adoption briefing is the compulsory first-step for potential adoptive parents. Both spouses are encouraged to attend the briefing together.
{| class="wikitable"
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|}
|}


===Disclosure workshop (Post-adoption)===
==Home Study Report (HSR)==
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.
Potential adopters can find a child to adopt through personal connections (as long as they fulfil the prerequisites). Alternatively, they can find a child under State Care through MSF.  
{| class="wikitable"
!Location
!Duration
!Fee (SGD)
!Register
!Notes
|-
|TOUCH Family Services Ltd
Fei Yue Community Services
|2.5 hours
|$50 / person
|[https://app.adoption.gov.sg/RegisterWorkshopIntro.aspx Online registration]
|This is an optional post-adoption workshop.
|}


==Adopting a foreign child (Excluding PRC)==
Potential parents must pass a home study before they can access the information of the children from MSF's affiliated adoption agencies.<ref>‘Adoption: How to adopt a Singaporean or Permanent Resident Child.’ ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated December 10, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-citizen-or-PR.aspx</ref>
The following are the documents needed for adopting a non-Singaporean child.
 
===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.
{| class="wikitable"
!Location
!Registration
!Notes
|-
|Respective embassies or High Commissions
|[https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-foreign-child-excluding-children-from-the-Peoples-Republic-of-China.aspx 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.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!
!
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|}
|}


===Dependant's pass===
===Adopting a stepchild<ref>‘Adoption: How to adopt a stepchild.’ ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from:   https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-stepchild.aspx</ref>===
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)'''.
Singapore citizens that want to adopt their stepchild can apply through MSF to have their Home Study Report (HSR) waived. The adopters will need to submit the following documents:
{| class="wikitable"
 
!
*NRIC
!Fee(s) (SGD)
*Marriage certificate
!Register
*Child's birth certificate
!Duration
*Child's travel documents (if they are overseas)
!Notes
 
|-
Those who are adopting their child born out of wedlock can also waive the HSR if they submit the necessary documents (stated above) on top of DNA tests to prove the paternity.  
|'''Dependant's pass'''
|$360
|[https://app.adoption.gov.sg/ApplyForDependantPass.aspx Online registration]
|3 weeks (online registration)
|The HSR is valid for 2 years and can only be used for 1 adopted child.
|}
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 Courts==
Potential adopters can submit an application to the Family Courts personally or through a lawyer. The adoption forms can be assessed on the website ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Family Justice Courts website]).


===Documents===
=== Filing documents ===
These are the documents required:
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===
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. The potential adopter or their lawyer will need to request for the Director of Social Welfare to be the GIA.
 
These are the documents required to receive a GIA:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Documents
!Documents
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*Originating summons of adoption ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Form])
*Originating summons of adoption ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Form])
*Adoption statement ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Form])
*Adoption statement ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Form])
*Affidavit of support
*Affidavit in support ([https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/resources/forms Form])
*Consent for adoption by the relevant parties
*Consent for adoption by the relevant parties
*NRIC of the potential adopters
*NRIC of the potential adopters
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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.
===GIA (Guardian In Adoption) Report===
The GIA report will be prepared by an assigned officer by the court. The potential adopter or their lawyer will need to request for the Director of Social Welfare to be the GIA.
 
 
Potential adopters will 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.


===Adoption Order===
===Adoption Order===
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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.


==Adopting a PRC child==
==Disclosure workshop (Post-adoption)==
The adoption process for PRC children is more stringent as there are requirements from both Singapore and PRC (People’s Republic of China). This arrangement was to prevent people from selling their babies in the name of giving it up for 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.
 
===Eligibility===
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).'''<ref>‘Adoption: Criteria for adoption of a PRC child’. ''Ministry of Social and Family Development''. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/Criteria-for-adoption-of-a-PRC-child.aspx</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Criteria
!Location
!Description
!Duration
!Fee (SGD)
!Register
!Notes
|-
|-
|Citizenship
|TOUCH Family Services Ltd
|At least one of the adopter couple should be either a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Fei Yue Community Services
|-
|2.5 hours
|Age
|$50 / person
|The couple must be <u>above 29 years old but below 50 years old</u>.*
|[https://app.adoption.gov.sg/RegisterWorkshopIntro.aspx Online registration]
 
|This is an optional post-adoption workshop.
The couple must be <u>more than 21 years older</u> than the child to be adopted.*
 
 
''*In the case that the adopters want to adopt a special needs child, they have to be <u>above 29 years old but below 55 years old</u>.''
|-
|Marriage
|The adopters must be a <u>couple of a male and a female</u> with a stable marriage.
The adopters should not have more than 2 past marriages.*
 
There should be a <u>maximum of 5 children</u> in the household.
 
 
''*In the case that one adopter has a past marriage, the existing marriage must be ongoing for at least 5 years.''
|-
|Finances
|The adopters must have a minimum annual household income of US$10,000.
The value of their net assets should be more than US$80,0000
|-
|Education
|The adopters must have at least an 'A' Level Certificate or an ITE Certificate
|-
|Others
|The adopters must have good mental and physical health.
They must not have any criminal records pertaining to child abuse, sexual offences, and substance abuse.
 
They must undergo a minimum of <u>12 hours of training</u> from a registered adoption centre.
 
The must obtain 3 reference letters from either their children* or teachers of their children.
 
 
''*Only in the case that the children are above 18 years old.''
|}
|}
===Relevant adoption agencies (TOUCH & Fei Yue)===
As of 2019, only TOUCH Family Services Ltd ([https://www.touch.org.sg/about-touch/our-services/touch-adoption-homepage official website]) and Fei Yue Community Services ([https://www.fycs.org/our-work/children/children-in-care-services/adoption-child-from-prc/ official website]) are registered with MSF to provide adoption for PRC children. The agency will determine the adopter's eligibility and contact CCCWA.The agency will then submit the application to CCCWA. A fee will be incurred for additional translation and administrative works.
===Finding a child to adopt===
Adoptive parents cannot choose the child they want to adopt. They have to accept the child chosen by CCCWA and can only reject during special circumstances such as medical conditions.Adoptive parents will need to prepare a '''Home Study Report''', apply for a '''Dependant's Pass''' and obtain a '''Letter of Support''' respectively. The adopters will need to travel to China to legalise the adoption and bring the child to Singapore.
===Applying to the Family Courts===
Refer to the previous sections. There are no differences in this part of the process.
===Post-placement reports===
The CCCWA requires the adoptive parents to submit post placement reports through the relevant Singapore agency. From 1 January 2015 onwards, adoptive parents are required to complete 6 post placement reports throughout 5 years. The reports are to be submitted at the 6th month, the 1st year, and the 5th year upon successful adoption registration in China.


==References / Citations==
==References / Citations==
[[Category:Adulting Guides]]
[[Category:Adulting Guides]]
<references />
<references />

Revision as of 16:17, 27 November 2019

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).


This is an entry about adopting a Singaporean child in Singapore.

  • For an entry on adopting a non-Singaporean child in Singapore, refer here.
  • For an entry on adopting a PRC child, refer here.

Prerequisites

Before adopting a child, there are a few prerequisites for the parties involved.

Adopted Singaporean child

In Singapore, the adopted child has to fulfil the following requirements for them to be adopted.

Age[2] Citizenship
< 21 years old
  • Singapore Citizen
  • Singapore Permanent Resident

Adoptive parents

In order to be able to adopt, potential adoptive parents have to fulfil the following requirements.[3]

Age Citizenship Marital status
  • > 25 years old
  • > 21 years older than the adopted child
  • < 50 years older than the adopted child
 At least one person in the couple should be the following:
  • Singapore Citizen
  • Singapore Permanent Resident
  • Employment Pass holder
  • Singles
  • Married couples
  • Unmarried males cannot adopt a girl

Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)[4]

The pre-adoption briefing is the compulsory first-step for potential adoptive parents. 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.

Home Study Report (HSR)

Potential adopters can find a child to adopt through personal connections (as long as they fulfil the prerequisites). Alternatively, they can find a child under State Care through MSF.

Potential parents must pass a home study before they can access the information of the children from MSF's affiliated adoption agencies.[5]

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.

Adopting a stepchild[6]

Singapore citizens that want to adopt their stepchild can apply through MSF to have their Home Study Report (HSR) waived. The adopters will need to submit the following documents:

  • NRIC
  • Marriage certificate
  • Child's birth certificate
  • Child's travel documents (if they are overseas)

Those who are adopting their child born out of wedlock can also waive the HSR if they submit the necessary documents (stated above) on top of DNA tests to prove the paternity.

Applying to the Family 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. The potential adopter or their lawyer will need to request for the Director of Social Welfare to be the GIA.

These are the documents required to receive a GIA:

Documents Fee(s) Deliver & deposit Notes
  • Date of Pre-Adoption Briefing (PAB)
  • Originating summons of adoption (Form)
  • Adoption statement (Form)
  • Affidavit in support (Form)
  • Consent for adoption by the relevant parties
  • NRIC of the potential adopters
  • Marriage certificate of potential adopters
  • Birth certificate of the child that they want to adopt
 $250 per application Child Welfare, Child Protective Service (10th floor)


MSF Drop Box, MSF Building Level 1

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) 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.

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. 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

  1. ↑ "Adoption". Family Justice Courts. Accessed on 24 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.familyjusticecourts.gov.sg/what-we-do/family-courts/adoption
  2. ↑ ‘Adoption: Who can be adopted?’. Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/Who-can-be-adopted.aspx
  3. ↑ ‘Adoption: Who can adopt?’. Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/Who-can-Adopt.aspx
  4. ↑ ‘Adoption: How to adopt a child from the People’s Republic of China’. Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-child-from-the-Peoples-Republic-of-China.aspx
  5. ↑ ‘Adoption: How to adopt a Singaporean or Permanent Resident Child.’ Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated December 10, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-citizen-or-PR.aspx
  6. ↑ ‘Adoption: How to adopt a stepchild.’ Ministry of Social and Family Development. Updated February 7, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2019. Retrieved from:   https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-adopt-a-stepchild.aspx
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