What is the double-barrelled race option for birth registration?

Since 1 January 2011, ICA has implemented the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. Singaporeans born before 1 January 2011 to parents of different races may request for a change from a singular to double-barrelled race if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.

Declaring or changing one's race is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering doing so, you will need to carefully deliberate the impact and implications of the change.

The general information on the implementation of the double-barrelled race registration are listed for reference. For further queries, you may contact ICA at ICA_RBD@ica.gov.sg

Eligibility
A child born on or after 1 January 2011 to parents of different races will be eligible to register for a double-barrelled race during birth registration.

Important Information to Note

Parents who wish to register a double-barrelled race for their child should take note of the following: 

(a) For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB's Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race. 

(b) If both parents are each registered with a double-barrelled race and wish to register a double-barrelled race for their child, the first component race of the child must be taken from the first component race of either parent. For example, if one spouse is Malay-Chinese and the other is Indian-Thai, the first component race for the child can only be Malay or Indian. 

(c) All siblings should have the same recorded race. 

- Parents will be asked to indicate the race of their first-born child when registering the race of their subsequent children. In cases where their first-born child/children were born before 1 January 2011, parents will be allowed to register a double-barrelled race for their subsequent children so long as parents apply to change the race of their children born before 1 Jan 2011 to a double-barrelled race.

- Once the parents have registered a child with a double-barrelled race on or after 1 January 2011, any subsequent children will have to follow the same race. If the situation requires for a change of race, all siblings must change their race together. This would not be necessary for siblings 21 years of age and above. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

(d) A Singaporean is allowed to change his race twice; once before the age of 21 and once at or after the age of 21.

This information provided here is sourced from the ICA website.