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Singapore Government

How to adopt a child from the People’s Republic of China

Adoption

How to adopt a child from the People’s Republic of China
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MORE INFORMATION

ADOPTION
 

ADOPTION PROCESS

If you intend to adopt a child from the People's Republic of China (PRC), you are required to comply with the requirements set out by the PRC, in addition to the requirements of Singapore.

The adoption process will be longer as approval from the PRC authorities must be obtained and the adoption must be legalised in China before the child can be brought into Singapore to legalise the adoption here. Your presence is required in the PRC for the legalisation of the adoption in China. You may choose to adopt a PRC child who is:

  1. from a social welfare institution in the PRC
  2. your stepchild
  3. related to you​

Applications to adopt a child from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) must be made through agencies accredited by MSF and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of PRC. These agencies are:

  • TOUCH Community Services Ltd
  • Fei Yue Community Services

Before applying to the Family Court for the Adoption

Step 1 Check if you meet the criteria set by China

Before you begin any adoption procedures, make sure you are able to fulfill the requirements set by the China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA).

For more information, please refer to Criteria for adoption of a PRC child.

Step 2 Attend Pre-Adoption Briefing

The Pre-Adoption Briefing is compulsory. You must attend it before you begin the adoption process.

For more information, please refer to Pre-Adoption Briefing.

Step 3 Approach accredited agencies for advice

You should approach one of the agencies accredited by MSF and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of PRC to handle adoption of children from PRC that is either TOUCH Community Services Ltd or Fei Yue Community Services. The agency will advise you on whether you meet the requirements of CCCWA and the children offered by CCCWA. The agency will also liaise with the CCCWA on your behalf.

Step 4 Apply for a Home Study

If you meet the CCCWA's requirements and you decide to adopt a PRC child, you can register for a home study with one of the accredited agencies.

A Home Study assesses your family's readiness to care for an adopted child. It is conducted by professional social service staff from the accredited agencies. For more information, please refer to Apply for Home Study Report.

If you are adopting your PRC stepchild, you can apply for a waiver of the Home Study Report if you meet the residency requirements. For more information, please refer to this link. 

Step 5 Apply to China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA)

When your home study is completed, the agency will authenticate the required documents with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agency will then submit your adoption application, the Home Study Report and other required documents on your behalf to the CCCWA. You are required to pay for the additional translation and administrative fees that CCCWA charges.

Step 6A To adopt a child from a social welfare institution in the PRC

The agency will inform you of the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, the agency will inform you when a child is available for adoption. You are expected to accept the match by the CCCWA. Rejection will only be considered on medical grounds certified by doctors in the PRC.

You are also required to be present in China to receive the child and legalise the adoption.

After legalising the adoption in China and upon returning to Singapore with the PRC child, you have to submit an application for a Dependent's Pass for the child to MSF. You may then proceed with the adoption application to the Family Court in Singapore and all other adoption procedures for adopting a foreign child will apply thereafter in Singapore.

Step 6B To adopt your PRC Stepchild or a PRC child who is related to you

The agency will inform you of the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, you are required to be present in China with your stepchild to legalise the adoption.

Upon legalising the adoption in China and upon returning to Singapore with the PRC child, you must make an application for a Dependant's Pass for the child. A DP is not required for a child with Singapore Permanent Residency. You may then proceed with the adoption application to the Family Court and all other adoption procedures for adopting a foreign child will apply thereafter in Singapore.

Step 7 Post Placement Report (PPR)

CCCWA requires Post Placement Reports for the PRC adopted child. These reports are to be prepared by the accredited agencies and submitted to CCCWA.

For stepchild and kinship adoption, you are required to undergo at least one post adoption assessment by the accredited agency within three years from the adoption registration in China.

For those who adopt a child from the social welfare institution after 1 January 2015, you are required to complete 6 post placement reports at the sixth month, first year, second year, third year, fourth year and fifth year after the adoption registration in China. Please work closely with the accredited agency to complete the post adoption assessments.