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Adoption
What is adoption
Adoption is a legal process where a party applies to become the adoptive parents of a child under 21 years old.
If the court grants an adoption order, the adoptive parents will have legal rights, obligations and responsibilities over the child. The child will no longer have any legal ties with the biological parents.
The Family Courts hear applications for adoption orders. Applicants must complete the following pre-adoption steps required by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) before applying to the courts.
The adoption process starts at the MSF.
Before you file an application for an adoption order with the courts, you must do all of the following:
- Check that you meet the requirements to adopt.
- Complete the pre-adoption steps. There are different steps depending on the nationality of the child you wish to adopt. Refer to the respective MSF guides:
- How to adopt a Singaporean or permanent resident child.
- How to adopt a child from the People's Republic of China.
- How to adopt a foreign child (excluding children from the People's Republic of China).
Refer to the MSF's website for more information on adoption in Singapore.
When filing
File and serve an application
Understand the documents, fees and process to file an application for an adoption order.
After filing
Submit additional documents
Pursuant to Section 27 of the Adoption of Children Act, the Guardian-in-Adoption (GIA) will investigate your application and prepare an affidavit based on the investigation findings. This affidavit must be filed in court and you will be notified of the further hearing date.
Going to court
Attend court
Depending on the facts of your case, you may need to attend at least 2 hearings before a judge. During the final hearing, the judge will decide whether to approve your application.
After an order is made
File an application, if needed
If you are not satisfied with an order made by the court, you may file an appeal.
2024/10/22
Note
You may choose to file the application for an adoption order yourself or engage a lawyer. Find out where to get help.
Resources
Legislation associated with this topic includes:
- Adoption of Children Act.
- Family Justice Act.
- Part 5, Part 7 and Part 15 of the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024.
- Part 1, Division 2 of the Third Schedule of the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024 for the court fees.
Refer to Part 4B and Part 6B of the Family Justice Courts Practice Directions 2024.
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