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Adoption
What should I consider about adoption?
What is Adoption?
Adoption is the legal act of entrusting your child to another person/couple to bring him/her up as their own.
Before applying to the courts, there are Pre-Adoption Steps.
In Singapore, the adoption process starts at Ministry of Social & Family Development which screens prospective adoptive parent applicants.
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​When an adoption order is passed by the court,
the child’s legal ties with the biological parents will be severed and the adoptive parents will assume all rights, obligations, and responsibilities
in the care, education, and well-being of the child.
Eligibility for Adoption
(for Birth Mothers)
1. The child must be a resident of Singapore
(i.e. a Singapore Citizen, Singapore PR or Dependant’s Pass holder).
A child is not regarded as a resident if the child is residing in Singapore on a visit pass, a student’s pass or a special pass.
2. The child must be below 21 years of age (see Section 3(2) of the Adoption of Child Act) and never been married.
3. Birth mothers must declare the details of the child’s biological father, and if the father is unknown, to state as unknown.
4. Consent from the biological parents of the child is required.
5. If the biological parents is unmarried and below 21 years of age,
need consent from the parent(s)/guardian of each biological parent
who is under 21 years old.
Will my child be safe?
You may be wondering, “What if the adoptive family doesn’t care for my baby the way I hope they will?” or “Will I spend the rest of my life not knowing how my child is doing?”
These are completely natural worries. They don’t mean adoption is the wrong choice —
they simply show how deeply you already care about your baby. Your questions reflect a mother’s love. Whether you choose to parent your child yourself or lovingly place your baby with an adoptive family, you are already acting from a place of care and responsibility.
Next Steps
Choose an Adoption Agency
There are currently four accredited adoption agencies in Singapore to choose from.
Determine the Level of Contact
The degree of “openness” in the adoption will be based on your comfort level, and that of the Adoptive Parents. Open / Closed / Semi-Open relationships?
Select an Adoptive Family
What are you looking for in a family?
What do you value?
It's OK to change your mind
As the birth mother, you make your adoption plan twice — once while pregnant, once after birth. You have the right to change your mind about anything, including the adoption.
Make a Birth Plan
This adoption birth plan outlines the birth mother’s preferences for her delivery and will give the adoption, hospital staff and the adoptive family a roadmap for what to expect when the due date arrives. It also covers everything from the hospital of delivery to the amount of contact with the adoptive family during the birth, etc.
If you're considering adoption, or
just want to learn more about the adoption process to see if
it’s right for you, contact us.
Need Someone to Talk to?
Adoption can be a very emotionally difficult decision to make but at the same time, it is a courageous one! It's not going to be easy and you will need all the support you can get!
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WhatsApp us at 9183 4483 or leave a message here!