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Who Can Be Adopted from Singapore
Source: flickr.com.
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Singapore has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption:
Relinquishment: In addition to the consent of your spouse (if you are married), you must obtain the notarized consent of the following persons (where applicable) before the Court will allow the adoption: The biological parents of the child; the legal guardian of the child; the person who has the actual custody of the child; the person who is responsible for supporting the child; or the parents or guardian of the biological parent, if the biological parent is under 21 years of age.
The person who gives the consent must understand that an adoption order will permanently deprive him/her of his/her parental rights. The Court can waive this consent if it is satisfied that the person whose consent cannot be obtained:
- 1. Has abandoned, neglected, or persistently ill-treated the child;
- 2. Cannot be found; or
- 3. Is unfit to care for the child and is unable to do so in the future.
The Court may also allow if there are any other special circumstances that justify the dispensation of consent.
Abandonment: The Court can waive the consent requirement described above if it is satisfied that the person whose consent cannot be obtained: Has abandoned, neglected, or persistently ill-treated the child; cannot be found; or is unfit to care for the child and is unable to do so in the future. The Court may also allow a waiver if there are any other special circumstances that justify the dispensation of consent.
Age of Adoptive Child: The child to be adopted must be below 21 years of age. This is in accordance with Section 3(2) of the Adoption of Child Act. Please note that in order for a child to meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law, a Form I-600 petition must be filed while the child is under the age of 16 (or under the age of 18 if adopted, or to be adopted, together with a sibling under the age of 16).
Sibling Adoptions: The U.S. Embassy in Singapore is not aware of any specific Singaporean government policy regarding the adoption of siblings.
Special Needs or Medical Conditions: The U.S. Embassy in Singapore is not aware of any specific Singaporean government policy regarding the adoption of children with special needs or medical conditions.
Waiting Period or Foster Care: No requirements.
Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children’s homes are adoptable. In many countries, birth parents may place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children’s home due to financial or other hardship, intending that the child return home when this becomes possible. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)’s adoption.
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