Step 3: Identify a Child to Adopt

You may identify a child through your own contacts. However, you must ensure how the child was sourced, matched and placed under your care does not contravene the laws of Singapore and the child’s country of origin. Notarised consent from the relevant persons must be obtained for the adoption.

MSF does not provide child matching services, but we can assist with the matching of children under state care.

If you are keen to adopt a child under state care, you may approach any of MSF’s authorised adoption agencies for more information, and for a suitability assessment. Once you have obtained a favourable assessment, you may contact MSF at msf_adoption@msf.gov.sg or call 1800-111-2222 and say “adoption” when prompted by the virtual assistant to be matched to a suitable child.

When you have identified a child to adopt, you will need to prepare the following documents:

1) Notarised consent of the child’s parents or relevant person

You must obtain notarised consent of the biological parents. If the child’s biological parents are not available, obtain notarised consent from the following:

• The legal guardian/person who has legal custody of the child;
  
  
• The person who is liable (i.e., has a duty) to support the child; or
  
  
• The parents or guardian of the biological parent, if the biological parent is below 21 years of age
  
  

If you are unable to obtain the consent of one or both biological parents, or the relevant person as above, you will need to explain why the consent is not attainable. The affidavit (written statement declared under oath by the relevant parties in relation to the adoption for the Court hearing) must detail exhaustive efforts made to locate the biological parent(s) and/or relevant person(s), such as efforts through the following channels:

• Social media 
  
  
• Friends 
  
  
• Family members 
  
  
• Last place of residence 
  
  
• Other possible means (e.g. newspaper ad, employers, neighbors, etc.)
  
  

The Consent for Adoption from the child’s biological parents or relevant persons must be prepared using the template prescribed by the Court and signed before a commissioner for oaths or notary public (refer to Family Justice Courts website for more information).

For the adoption of an unrelated child, the biological parent(s) or relevant person(s) must provide:

• Their contact details. 
  
  
• An explanation of how and when they approached the agency/agent/adoptive parents.
  
  
• Reasons for placing the child for adoption.
  
  
• Details of payments received in the course of the transfer of the child. Refer to part 3 ‘Itemised breakdown of costs involved’ for more details.
  
  
• Information on whether they have placed other biological children for adoption.
  
  
• Confirmation that they will remain contactable during the Guardian-in-Adoption’s (GIA) social investigation.
  
  

You may seek legal advice if you need help preparing the consent and affidavit.

2) All identification documents of the child

You must obtain and ensure that all original documents regarding the child’s identity have been verified as authentic.

These documents include: 

• Birth Certificate of child (original & translated to English where applicable)
  
  
• Passport of child (all pages)
  
  

3) Itemised breakdown of costs involved (if any) in the transfer of the child

Only Court-sanctioned payments are permitted in the adoption application.

If you have incurred costs during the transfer of the child, you must provide a detailed cost breakdown of the amount with documentary proof of original receipts, contracts, and/or agreements for all payments.

Information to include:

• Published rates by the adoption agency/agent for the adoption application;
  
  
• List of all items or services included under each acceptable payment category;
  
  
• Payment made for each item/service;
  
  
• Justification for how the amount was decided;
  
  
• Documentary proof/official receipts for all the listed items. Provide reason(s) if documentary proof/official receipt for any item is not available.
  
  
• Provide justification(s) such as an official quotation or published rates if the amount is based on estimates.