Preparing for Marriage

PREP is an evidence-based marriage and relationship education programme offered by the Ministry. It is designed based on over 30 years of research in US that aims to help soon-to-wed and newly-wed couples to:

• Improve communication and problem-solving skills
• Attain higher relationship satisfaction; and
• Develop better conflict resolution skills

Research has shown that couples who attended PREP have higher levels of positive communication and interaction and greater confidence in the future of their marriages.

PREP 12-hour Workshop

Couples can also sign up for the PREP 12-hour workshop. The workshop, conducted over 2 days (weekends), provides deeper coverage on a range of topics such as communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving. Couples also have opportunities during the workshop to reflect on their relationship and learn skills to enrich their marriage.

The Ministry provides couples a $140 rebate* upon completion of the PREP 12-hour workshop. The PREP 12-hour workshop is offered by the following agencies:

Cornerstone Community Services
Contact No: 6344 8063
Email Address: familylife@cornerstoneservices.org.sg
Course Fee (before rebate): $350 per couple

Careworks Community Services
Contact No: 6293 4394
Email Address: ccs@cplink.org.sg
Course Fee (before rebate): $350 per couple

Family Central - A Service by Fei Yue Community Services
Contact No: 6734 1401
Email Address: familycentral@fycs.org
Course Fee (before rebate): $374.50 per couple

Morning Star Community Services
Contact No: 6285 1377
Email Address: training@morningstar.org.sg
Course Fee (before rebate): $350 per couple

TOUCH Community Services Ltd
Contact No: 6709 8410
Email Address: familylife@touch.org.sg
Course Fee (before rebate): $420 per couple

*Rebate is applicable to all soon-to-wed and newly-wed couple(s) attending marriage preparation programme for the first time. Either one of the spouses must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident. Couples must complete the programme together to qualify for the rebate.

ePREP is a complimentary, online version of the PREP workshop. ePREP consists of 6 self-learning sections that couples can complete at their own convenience over a period of 3 months.

ePREP is offered by the following agencies:

AMKFSC Community Services
Contact No: 6351 0610
Email Address: famforlife@amkfsc.org.sg
Click for registration details
Website: https://www.amkfsc.org.sg/what-we-do/family-services/fam4life

Care Corner Singapore Ltd
Contact No: 6978 4090
Email Address: ffl@carecorner.org.sg
Click for registration details
Website: https://www.carecorner.org.sg/services/marriage-support/

Fei Yue Community Services
Contact No: 9791 4100
Email Address: FFLC@fycs.org
Click for registration details
Website: https://www.family-central.sg/courses/eprep/

The Ministry also supports Marriage Preparation Programmes which are conducted by approved Social Service Agencies. Sign up for a Marriage Preparation Programme today and enjoy a $70 rebate* from the Ministry.

View list of MSF approved organisations

Sign up today to prepare for and build your Marriage of a Lifetime.

*Rebate is applicable to all soon-to-wed and newly-wed couple(s) attending marriage preparation programme for the first time. Either one of the spouses must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident. Couples must complete the programme together to qualify for the rebate.

Prepare/Enrich Marriage Enrichment Programme (P/E MEP) is a complimentary programme for married couples. P/E MEP consists of four 3-hour sessions. Over these sessions, couples can expect to identify their strengths and build confidence in their relationship skills with the help of a Certified Facilitator and the P/E assessment inventory tool.

P/E MEP is offered by the following agencies:

AMKFSC Community Services
Contact No: 6351 0610
Email Address: famforlife@amkfsc.org.sg
Registration details: Learn more about programme dates available or sign up here
Website: https://www.amkfsc.org.sg/what-we-do/family-services/fam4life

Care Corner Singapore Ltd
Contact No: 6978 4090
Email Address: ffl@carecorner.org.sg
Click for registration details
Website: https://www.carecorner.org.sg/services/marriage-support/

Fei Yue Community Services
Contact No: 9791 4100
Email Address: FFLC@fycs.org
Registration details: Learn more about programme dates available or sign up here
Website: https://www.family-central.sg/courses/eprep/

Marriage Preparation and Marriage Support Programmes

All Singaporeans and their prospective non-resident spouse are encouraged to attend the marriage preparation and support programmes. Transnational couples may face unique challenges such as cross-cultural differences. The programmes are designed to equip couples with practical information on community resources and information on living in Singapore to help foreign spouses adapt to life in Singapore.

Couples will also learn skills such as communication, conflict resolution and financial planning which can be applied in their marriage. If necessary, couples can also be referred to relevant community agencies for additional support.

Where applicable, couples should complete MSF’s programmes before the expiry of your In-Principle Approval (IPA) for the LTVP. You can upload the certificate of completion onto ICA’s e-Service upon completion of the programme. If you do not complete the programmes before the expiry of your IPA, your application will be considered withdrawn. You will need to submit a fresh LTVP application if you wish to be considered for an LTVP again.

For registration and more information (such as on criteria and process) on the Marriage Preparation / Support programme, please contact any of the agencies listed below.

If you are intending to get married but have not submitted your marriage application, you may do so by visiting Our Marriage Journey (OMJ). You will then be referred to sign up for the relevant Marriage Preparation/Support Programme.

Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment (PMLA)

Couples who are interested in applying for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) are strongly encouraged to submit the PMLA together before marriage.

The PMLA is a free online assessment tool for couples to find out more about each other, and if your prospective non-resident spouse is likely to qualify for LTVP after marriage. This is important as marriage to a Singapore Citizen does not guarantee a non-resident spouse automatic right of entry into Singapore or approval for long-term stay in Singapore. Those who have completed the PMLA will benefit from a shorter processing time of about 6 weeks instead of 6 months for their LTVP application.

More details on the PMLA can be found on ICA’s website.

To ensure that couples’ specific needs are met, the following groups of couples can attend their respective Marriage Preparation Programme (MPrep)listed below before attending the Marriage Preparation and Support Programme (MPSP) for transnational couples:

Note: Completion of these programmes does not guarantee approval of LTVP application.

Marriage is a life-long journey. It is important to build a strong and long-lasting marriage from the start.

Marriage preparation programmes are designed to address the needs of different types of marriages. The different programmes provide an effective platform for couples to gain information and tips to strengthen their marriage.

Programme for Minor Couples - INSPIRASI HUBs

If either one or both of you are below 21 years old, you will have to complete a marriage preparation programme before you file for an application for marriage. You will also be required to obtain consent from your parents or guardians. The changes to the minor marriage application requirements took effect from 22 October 2018.

The marriage preparation programme is offered by INSPIRASI HUBs. Through the mandatory marriage preparation programme, couples would be able to make informed decisions about the marriage and be better prepared for the next stage of their journey.

More information on the amendments

Programme for Young Couples

If either you or your partner is below 21 years old, find out more about what makes a successful marriage in Marriage Preparation Programme for Young Couples by INSPIRASI HUBs.docx

Grooms aged 21 to 24 years old are also encouraged to attend the programmes with their partners.

Cinta Abadi… Marriage of a Lifetime for First Marriages

If you are entering marriage for the first time, begin your journey with Cinta Abadi Marriage Preparation Programme.

Cinta Abadi caters to Muslim first marriages with grooms aged 25 years old and above and brides aged 21 years old and above. The programme is conducted in English and Malay at various locations across the island.

Remarriage Preparation Programme

Is this a remarriage for you or your partner? Learn how to make this marriage work and pick up tips on step-parenting and helping the children adjust to a new family in the Remarriage Preparation Programme.

To help minor couples better prepare for marriage, they are required to attend a marriage preparation programme before they can be issued with a marriage licence. This is in addition to obtaining parental consent.

Effective for couples marrying on and after 1 October 2016, the above requirement will apply where one or both of the marrying parties are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents; and

• Where at least one party is below 18 years old; or
• Where at least one party is aged 18 years and above but below 21 years old

Note: Age is at the day of solemnisation.

Minor couples are also required to attend a marriage preparation programme conducted by a MSF-approved organisation.

For marriages where one party is below 18 years old, couples must also undergo social assessment by MSF to assess their suitability for marriage before they are issued with a Special Marriage Licence.

Download the list of MSF-approved organisations that provide marriage preparation programmes for couples aged 18 to below 21 years old

Premarital counselling – often a part of marriage preparation programmes – helps couples to prepare for marriage, work through issues, resolve differences and determine if they are ready for marriage.

Couples can visit these organisations for premarital counselling services:

• Secular organisations such as social service agencies and private counselling centres;
• Religious organisations such as churches, mosques and temples; and
• Private Counsellors / family therapists

View the list of MSF-approved providers of marriage education and support programmes

Related links:
Strengthening Families Programme@FSC
Find out more information on marriage preparation, support and counselling at the Strengthening Families Programme@FSC ("FAM@FSC") website. FAM@FSC provides marriage and divorce support and family counselling in 10 centres across Singapore.

Interested couple may sign up for the workshop via IFL’s Events page, which is updated on a quarterly basis.