Child Adoption Lawyers

The following outlines the base requirements for adoption in Singapore:

1. Residency status – You and your spouse must be residents in Singapore to adopt, i.e. Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, or holders of Employment Pass, Dependant’s Pass or any other Pass which the Family Court deems as residents in Singapore.
2. Age – You and your spouse must be at least 25 years old and at least 21 years older than the child to be adopted. If you or your spouse is under 25 years old and/or less than 21 years older than the child, the adoption may be allowed if you or your spouse and the child are related by blood, or if there are other special circumstances justifying the adoption.
3. Maximum age gap – Both you and your spouse should not be more than 50 years older than the child.
4. Marital status – If you are a single male, you are not allowed to adopt a girl, unless there are special circumstances to justify the adoption. If you are married, but intend to adopt alone, you must obtain the consent of your spouse.

Yes, both married couples and single people may adopt in Singapore. There is some exceptions.

For example, a single male is not allowed to adopt a girl unless there is some special circumstances.

On average you are looking at around 6-9 months depending on the complexity and circumstances of the adoption.

Adopting a child from another country takes longer since the adopting parents must also comply with all the adoption requirements of the foreign country before the process can start in Singapore

If you intend to adopt a child from China, you are required to comply with the requirements set out by China, in addition to the requirements of Singapore.

The adoption process will be longer as approval from the Chinese authorities must be obtained and the adoption must be legalised in China before the child can be brought into Singapore to legalise the adoption here.