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Step 2: Adoption Suitability Assessment (ASA)

How to Adopt a Child in Singapore

Adoption Suitability Assessment (ASA) is a comprehensive assessment that looks into the circumstances surrounding the adoption as well as your suitability to adopt. It assesses you and your family’s readiness to adopt a child.

The assessment is conducted by professional social service staff an Authorised Adoption Agency (AAA).

You must obtain a favourable ASA before you can identify a child to adopt.

ASA fees are as follows 
  • Adoption of biological and step-children: $1,100 + $315 (every additional child)
  • Adoption of unrelated and relative's children: $2,000

You may apply for an ASA with any of the following AAAs below:

You must not have an unrelated child under your care before obtaining a favourable ASA. You may only have an unrelated child under your care after you have been issued with a favourable ASA (for Singaporean children) and an In-Principle Approval (IPA) for a Dependant’s Pass to adopt a foreign child.


Under the ACA 2022:

  • All applicants must undergo an Adoption Suitability Assessment (ASA) conducted by AAA that are authorised by MSF;

  • Applicants must have resided in Singapore for a continuous period of at least one year immediately preceding the application for an ASA, and be habitually resident in Singapore;

  • All applicants are required to undergo a Pre-Adoption Briefing and a disclosure briefing of adoptive status before making an application for an ASA;

  • Only Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, and foreigners adopting with Singaporean spouses can adopt in Singapore by default;

  • After you have attended PAB and DB, and obtain a valid and favorable ASA, you will receive a Letter of Eligibility (LOE) from the AAA;

  • All applications to the Court will require a valid ASA. For those who applied for Home Study Report (HSR) before 15 October 2024, you will not require a LOE;

  • You can seek an extension of your ASA or HSR, if the report has minimal validity period of 3 months before expiry. Please approach an AAA to apply for extension of your ASA or HSR.