Who Can Be Adopted?
Child’s Age
The child must be below 21 years old and never been married.
If your child is nearing 21 years of age, do ensure there is sufficient time to assess your suitability to adopt before he or she turns 21.
Residency Status
The child must be a resident of Singapore (i.e., a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident or Dependant’s Pass holder).
A child will not meet the residency requirement if the child is residing in Singapore on a visit pass, a student’s pass, or a special pass.
Types of Adoption
- Adoption of biological child
You are adopting a child with the intent to formalise your legal relationship with him or her.
- Adoption of stepchild
You married a spouse who has a child and now wish to formalise your parent-child relationship.
- Adoption of a niece or nephew
You wish to adopt your niece or nephew.
- Adoption of an unrelated child
You wish to adopt an unrelated child to form a family unit.
- Adoption of a child in state care
You wish to care for a child under state care. Children under state care are typically older and adopters must be assessed to have been found suitable to meet the needs of the child.