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Adopting from Singapore
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Contents
Hague Convention Information
Singapore is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F).
Because adoptions of children in Singapore are relatively rare and complicated, the U.S. Embassy in Singapore strongly urges U.S. citizens considering adopting a child in Singapore to consult with it before identifying or taking custody of a child or otherwise proceeding with an adoption. The U.S. government is fully committed to protecting the welfare and interests of all parties to an adoption (children, birth parents, and adoptive parents), as well as the integrity of the adoption process, and hopes to avoid situations in which an adoption may have been completed under local law but the child is not eligible under U.S. immigration law to travel to the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Singapore is aware of cases in which U.S. families have concluded adoptions in Singapore involving children of other nationalities. It is critical that prospective adoptive parents understand that the laws of the child’s country of origin may remain relevant, even if the child has departed that country and is now residing in Singapore. It is therefore important that U.S. prospective adoptive parents residing in Singapore who are considering adopting a child born outside Singapore in Singaporean court first consult with the U.S. Embassy prior to initiating the adoption process.
Who Can Adopt
To bring an adopted child to the United States from Singapore, you must meet eligibility and suitability requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines who can adopt under U.S. immigration law.
Additionally, a child must meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States on an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet the following requirements in order to adopt a child from Singapore:
Residency
Under Singaporean law, prospective adoptive parents must be residents of Singapore and have legal immigration status. Residents of Singapore are Permanent Residents or Holders of an Employment Pass, Dependant’s Pass, or any other Pass which the Family Court deems for residents of Singapore. This is in accordance with Section 4(6) of the Adoption of Child Act.
Age of Adopting Parents
Prospective adoptive parents must be at least 25 years of age. They must also be at least 21 years older than the child they plan to adopt. These age restrictions may be waived in certain circumstances, including if there is a blood relationship between the child and the prospective adoptive parent(s).
Marriage
Married couples must adopt jointly unless the non-adopting spouse cannot be found, is unable to give consent, or is separated from the adopting spouse and the separation is likely to become permanent. Single men may not adopt female children except in rare cases, as determined by the court. Single women are eligible to adopt. Same sex marriage is prohibited in Singapore.
Income
Assessment of the prospective adoptive parents’ employment history is part of the Home Study Report. The assessment is designed to ensure that prospective adoptive parents have stable employment, regular income, and adequate financial resources to raise a child.
Other
When adopting a foreign born (non Singaporean) child, Singapore requires foreign prospective adoptive parents to obtain a letter from their embassy endorsing the prospective adoptive parents’ adoption and stating that the child will be eligible to receive an entry visa upon application by the adoptive parents. (Note: as in any adoption in Singapore, the foreign prospective adoptive parents must be resident in Singapore.) The U.S. Embassy in Singapore is unable to provide this letter under U.S. immigration law. However, U.S. prospective adoptive parents may instead wish to submit their approved Form I-600A to Singaporean authorities to establish their eligibility and suitability under U.S. law to adopt a child.
Who Can Be Adopted
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.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
The Process
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Singapore. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print-all in one place.
Obtaining Your Visa
In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Singapore, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.
Staying Safe on Your Trip
Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.
Staying in Touch on Your Trip
When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Singapore, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.
After Adoption
What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
Here are some good places to start your support group search:
Child Welfare Information Gateway
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information