PKWA Law family lawyer Derek Choo was recently quoted by Channel NewsAsia (CNA) in an article examining why some unwed parents in Singapore choose to legally adopt their own biological children.
The CNA feature, published on 2 October 2026, looked at the experiences of single mothers who had considered or gone through the adoption process and the legal and practical reasons behind their decisions.
One issue highlighted in the article is an important distinction between being the biological parent of a child and the legal status accorded to a child born outside marriage under Singapore law.
Does an Unwed Parent Need to Adopt Their Own Child?
Being unmarried does not mean that a biological mother or father simply ceases to be the child’s parent.
Speaking to CNA, Derek Choo, Associate Director of the Family Law and Probate Department at PKWA Law Practice, explained:
“What changes with adoption is the child’s legal status, not the relationship itself.”
The biological parent continues to be recognised as the child’s biological parent and has parental rights and responsibilities towards the child.
However, Singapore law continues to make distinctions in certain areas between children born within marriage and children born outside marriage.
Derek told CNA:
“Singapore law still distinguishes between a child born within marriage and one born outside it, and for many unwed mothers, adopting their own child is the clearest way to close that gap.”
Why Would a Biological Parent Adopt Their Own Child?
Although the idea of adopting one’s own biological child may initially appear unusual, there can be important legal and practical reasons for doing so.
The CNA report highlighted issues including inheritance, housing and tax relief, as well as questions surrounding the continuing legal rights of the other biological parent.
For example, inheritance can be an important consideration for some families. The legal position where someone dies without a Will may differ depending on the child’s legal status and the surviving family members.
A properly prepared Will may therefore also form an important part of estate planning for an unmarried parent.
What Does the Adoption Process Involve?
A biological parent seeking to adopt his or her own child may still have to go through the formal adoption process.
As outlined in the CNA report, core pre-adoption requirements can include:
- attending a mandatory briefing;
- completing an Adoption Suitability Assessment;
- interviews and home visits;
- providing supporting documents and information; and
- making an application to court.
There can also be additional issues concerning the other biological parent.
Depending on the circumstances, consent may have to be obtained or the court may have to consider whether consent should be dispensed with. Biological fathers may also face additional legal steps, including establishing paternity and dealing with custody issues.
These requirements mean that what appears to be a straightforward adoption can involve several distinct legal and administrative stages.
Every Family’s Circumstances Are Different
Adoption is not necessarily required or appropriate for every unmarried parent.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development told CNA that unwed parents do not need to adopt their biological children simply to qualify for government benefits that are available regardless of parental marital status. Whether a parent decides to pursue adoption will therefore depend on his or her individual family circumstances and objectives.
Parents may also need to consider how adoption interacts with other issues such as custody, access, inheritance, estate planning and the rights of the other biological parent.
Obtaining legal advice at an early stage can help a parent understand the available options and the legal consequences before deciding how to proceed.
PKWA Law’s Derek Choo Quoted by CNA
Derek Choo is an Associate Director in PKWA Law’s Family Law and Probate Department.
His comments formed part of CNA’s broader examination of the experiences of unwed single parents who have considered adopting their biological children and the legal framework surrounding these applications in Singapore.
Read the full CNA article:
If you require advice regarding adoption, child custody, guardianship or other family law matters in Singapore, speak with an experienced family lawyer about your circumstances.