Adoption in Singapore

Who can advise me on the Singapore adoption process?

The Consular Section of the British High Commission can provide relevant information about adopting abroad. Registration of a child as a British citizen is at the discretion of the Home Secretary and in certain circumstances an adopted child might not be eligible. There are also clear immigration rules to be met before a settlement visa can be granted (see Paragraphs 310 and 314 of the UK Immigration Rules.)

Information for Prospective Adopters [PDF, 422KB, opens in new window] gives some guidance on the steps to be taken and the UK policies to be aware of before you begin the process of adopting abroad.

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sport (MCYS) will be involved in any adoption in Singapore and can provide appropriate advice on the policies in Singapore regarding adopting a child born abroad. Contact details are:

MCYS Adoption Service
512 Thomson Road
12th Storey MCYS Building
Singapore 298136
Hotline: 6355 6388
Fax: 6358 2375
E-mail: MCYS_Adoption@mcys.gov.sg

Useful online information on adoption in Singapore is also available at http://fcd.ecitizen.gov.sg/

After adoption will my child be British?

The UK recognises an adoption order made in Singapore. However, the child will not automatically become a British citizen. Upon application, the Home Secretary will normally register as a British citizen a child under 18 who is adopted in Singapore provided that all relevant adoption laws have been adhered to. This includes the laws of the child’s country of origin and the country in which the adoptive parents are habitually resident (read below: What Evidence Do I Need For the Registration Application?) and the laws of the child’s country of origin. For example, if you are adopting an Indonesian child you should provide evidence that you have met the Indonesian adoption requirements for period of residence, age, marital status and religion.

Please note: Singapore’s adoption agencies and the MCYS do not normally check that the adoption requirements in a child’s country of origin have been complied with.

Can the High Commission provide MCYS with a letter guaranteeing that my adopted child will be given British nationality?
Registration is at the Home Secretary’s discretion, therefore the British High Commission can give no guarantee of success in advance of the outcome of any such application.

How do I register my adopted child as a British citizen?
An application should be made at the British High Commission’s Consular Centre using form MN1.  Guidance about registering can be found here.  Please consult the checklist of documentary requirements before applying.

What evidence do I need to provide with the registration application?
For the Home Office to consider any application for the registration of an adopted child as a British citizen you will need to produce:

1. Completed MN1
   
2. Child’s country of origin birth certificate and current passport
   
3. Child’s birth certificate bearing adoptive British parent/s details
   
4. Adoptive British parent/s’ long version birth certificate(s)
   
5. Both adoptive parents' passports
   
6. Adoptive parents’ marriage certificate
   
7. Singapore Adoption certificate (for adoption certificate issued outside Singapore: the local representative in Singapore should verify the adoption certificate)
   
8. A contemporary report from the overseas equivalent of the Social Services Department which details:
   
   "the child’s parentage and history; and the degree of contact with the original parent/s; and the reasons for adoption; and the date, reasons and arrangements for the child’s entry into an institution or foster placement; and when, how and why the child named is to be offered to the adoptive parent/s"
   
9. Confirmation that all relevant adoption laws from the country the adopted child came from has been complied with i.e. court order
   
10. Evidence of the adoptive parents’ country of habitual residence: it is your responsibility to check whether you retain habitual residency in the United Kingdom.  You have to provide a sworn statement (witnessed by a lawyer), which should say something along the lines of: "I confirm that I have received independent legal advice and with reference to all circumstances of my particular case and in light of existing UK law, I can confirm that I am not habitually resident in the UK"
    
    • where the parents are habitually resident in the UK, confirmation from the DfES (for those in England and Wales), from the Scottish Executive (for those parents in Scotland) or from the Department of Health Social Security and Public Safety – Northern Ireland (for those resident in Northern Ireland) that they have been assessed and approved as eligible to become an adoptive parent; or
      
    • where the parents are not habitually resident in the UK, confirmation from the equivalent of the Social Services Department in their country of residence that all relevant adoption laws have been complied with.
      
11. Consent for adoption issued by a solicitor from the biological parents.
    
12. Certificate of no criminal records from the UK for the British adoptive parent/s
    
    • If you wish to obtain a police clearance certificate for the United Kingdom, you can find information on the website of the Metropolitan Police Headquarters
      
      The process can take up to 40 days and will cost £10.00 or more.
      
13. Fee payable for the registration and forwarding fee to be paid in cash, by cheque or credit card in Singapore currency.

The above documents listed from (2) to (12) should be originals and accompanied by two sets of photocopies.  In some cases, additional information and documents may be required.

All documents will be checked for authenticity.

Is there a fee for this service?
The fees for forwarding an application to the Home Office and for processing the registration application can be found here.

How long will the Home Office take to reach a decision on registration?
Currently the Home Office is taking up to 6 months to process applications for the registration of minors.