1.       Attend the Pre-Adoption Briefing and Disclosure Briefing by an authorised adoption agency (AAA).

2.       Obtain a valid and favourable Adoption Suitability Assessment (ASA) from an AAA.

3.       Identify a child for adoption:

o   If you are adopting an unrelated child, you may identify a child through AAAs, or your private contacts.

o   If you are adopting a foreign child, apply for a Dependant’s Pass (DP) with the full set of documentation required. Upon submission of the complete set of documentation, the DP will take about 20 working days to be processed. If approved, the DP is valid for 21 months. You will be required to extend the DP if the adoption process takes longer than 21 months.

4.       Submit your adoption application to Court. You may engage a lawyer or represent yourself in the adoption proceedings.

5.       Attend all interviews and home visits by the Guardian-in-Adoption (GIA). The GIA’s investigation typically takes up to 9 months to complete for straightforward applications. It can be longer if there are complicating factors.

6.       The Court fixes hearing dates for your adoption application. This process usually takes up to a month.

7.       The Court decides on the outcome of your adoption application. If Court grants your adoption application, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will issue your adopted child a new e-Birth Certificate.

8. Refer to the Adoption Website for a step-by-step process: https://www.msf.gov.sg/what-we-do/adoption/home