Adoption Services

22 questions inAdoption Services

Do we have to re-adopt the child we adopted overseas?
If the child was legally adopted overseas, there is no requirement to re-adopt the child in Singapore. If you wish to re-adopt your Malaysian child in Singapore, please refer to [Adoption portal] for information on the adoption process.
MSF 3mo ago
I am married to a Singaporean but I work overseas most of the time. I wish to adopt a child. Can I make an application for adoption?
If you are not residing in Singapore, please check with your lawyer whether you meet the residency requirement stated in the Adoption of the Children Act. Please also note that you, your spouse and the child you intend to adopt must reside in Singapore during the adoption process. The adoption process which includes investigation and Court proceedings may take at least 9 months.
MSF 3mo ago
I have a child born overseas. I'm not married to the mother. My name is not in the child's Birth Certificate. How do I adopt?
If you wish to adopt your biological child who was born overseas, you should first consult the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on the requirements to apply Singapore citizenship for the child.

If they advise that you should adopt the child, you can apply for a waiver of the Home Study Report by writing to us at msf_adoption@msf.gov.sg. Enter ‘Adoption of Biological Children’ as the Subject and submit your details with an explanation of your circumstances.

Please note that you need to undergo a DNA test to prove your paternity and obtain the consent of the child’s mother for adoption. You may wish to engage a lawyer to help you with the adoption process.
MSF 3mo ago
My spouse is on a social visit pass. I wished to apply for citizenship for my stepchild but was told that I need to adopt the child first. How do I adopt?
If the child is from the People’s Republic of China or PRC, your wife does not meet the requirements for adoption.

If you wish to adopt your non-Singaporean stepchild, you should first consult a lawyer on whether your spouse meets the residency requirement stated in the Adoption of Children Act.

Also, adoption only legalises your relationship with the child. You will have to separately apply for citizenship for the child after receiving the adoption order.

Find out more about Adoption.
MSF 3mo ago
How can I contact MSF Adoption?
Website
Adoption
Email
msf_adoption@msf.gov.sg
Telephone
1800-111-2222
(MSF Consolidated Hotline - to reach the Adoption division, say "Adoption" when prompted by the virtual assistant)
MSF 3mo ago
How do I submit an application for adoption to the Family Court?
You may submit an application for adoption to the Family Court through a lawyer or in person. Please refer to the [Family Justice Courts’ website] for the legal process.
MSF 1mo ago
Can we make an appointment to meet a Child Welfare Officer before attending the Pre-Adoption Briefing?
Please visit the Adoption Portal to find out the adoption requirements and procedures. If you have more questions, you can write to msf_adoption@msf.gov.sg or clarify with our officers during the Pre-Adoption Briefing.
MSF 3mo ago
Will the MSF Officer make a home visit after the final Adoption Order has been made in Court?
MSF’s role as the Guardian-in-Adoption ends the moment the Court order is made. Hence, MSF will not be making any home visit after that.
MSF 3mo ago
After I apply to Court, why must I go through the Home Study Report and the assessment by MSF?
The purpose of a Home Study Report or HSR is to ensure that you are able to care for a child before the child stays with you during the adoption proceedings. A social investigation is then conducted when the Court appoints MSF as the child's Guardian-in-Adoption. MSF has a responsibility to safeguard the best interests of the child. MSF will assess how you and the child are adjusting to each other, and how you and your spouse are coping with the additional responsibility.
MSF 3mo ago
My wife and I are Singaporeans. Do we need to obtain any endorsement to bring the child into Singapore for adoption purposes?
If you intend to adopt a foreign child, you must obtain a Dependant’s Pass for the child before bringing him or her into Singapore for adoption.
MSF 3mo ago
Who can adopt in Singapore?
If you wish to adopt a child in Singapore, you must be:
a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, or hold an Employment Pass, Dependent’s Pass or any other Pass accepted by the Family Court;
at least 25 years old; and
at least 21 years but not more than 50 years older than the child to be adopted.

For the full list of eligibility criteria, please visit the ‘[Who can Adopt]’ page on the Adoption Portal.
MSF 3mo ago
I live/work in Singapore on an employment pass/social visit pass but wish to adopt a child. Can I apply to adopt?
In view of your residency, we advise you to consider adoption in your home country instead.
MSF 3mo ago
How long is the validity of a Home Study Report (HSR) and can I adopt again using the same HSR?
A Home Study Report or HSR is valid for 2 years. Each HSR can be used for one adoption only. After the expiry of the HSR, the prospective adopter has to undergo a fresh home study.
MSF 3mo ago
Which agencies can conduct Home Study Report (HSR) for the adoption of foreign children (excluding children from the People’s Republic of China)?
Four agencies have been accredited by MSF to conduct Home Study Reports for the adoption of foreign children, excluding children from the People’s Republic of China:

Touch Community Services Limited
149 Toa Payoh
Lorong 1
#01-943
Singapore 310149
Tel: 6709 8406
Fax: 6709 8401
Email: [adoption@touch.org.sg]
Website: [adoption.tcs.org.sg]

Lutheran Community Care Services
3779 Jalan Bukit Merah
#02-01
Bukit Merah Community Hub
Singapore 159462
Tel: 6441 3906
Fax:6446 3906
Email: [adoption@lccs.org.sg]
Website: [www.lccs.org.sg]

Fei Yue Community Services
Blk 604 Choa Chu Kang Street 62
#01-53
Singapore 680604
Tel: 6416 2167
Fax: 6416 2182
Email: [adoption@fycs.org]
Website: [www.fycs.org]

Apkim Centre For Social Services (ACOSS)
134 Arab Street
Singapore 199824
Tel: 6295 1011
Fax: 6293 2122
Email: [info@apkim.com]
Website: [www.apkim.sg]
MSF 3mo ago
Will each of the four accredited agencies that conduct the Home Study Report (HSR) differently?
The 4 MSF accredited agencies will conduct the home study following the same requirements determined by MSF.
MSF 3mo ago

Ask a question

Do we have to re-adopt the child we adopted overseas?

I am married to a Singaporean but I work overseas most of the time. I wish to adopt a child. Can I make an application for adoption?

I have a child born overseas. I'm not married to the mother. My name is not in the child's Birth Certificate. How do I adopt?

My spouse is on a social visit pass. I wished to apply for citizenship for my stepchild but was told that I need to adopt the child first. How do I adopt?

How can I contact MSF Adoption?

How do I submit an application for adoption to the Family Court?

Can we make an appointment to meet a Child Welfare Officer before attending the Pre-Adoption Briefing?

Will the MSF Officer make a home visit after the final Adoption Order has been made in Court?

After I apply to Court, why must I go through the Home Study Report and the assessment by MSF?

My wife and I are Singaporeans. Do we need to obtain any endorsement to bring the child into Singapore for adoption purposes?

Who can adopt in Singapore?

I live/work in Singapore on an employment pass/social visit pass but wish to adopt a child. Can I apply to adopt?

How long is the validity of a Home Study Report (HSR) and can I adopt again using the same HSR?

Which agencies can conduct Home Study Report (HSR) for the adoption of foreign children (excluding children from the People’s Republic of China)?

Will each of the four accredited agencies that conduct the Home Study Report (HSR) differently?