Quick answer
Register a birth in Singapore on LifeSG within 42 days. Born overseas? Singapore does not register it: the Singapore Citizen parent applies to ICA for the child’s citizenship. A child with two citizenships must choose one at 21.
The useful number: A child’s Singapore passport lasts 5 years. The first one is free if you apply on MyICA by the first birthday.
Who is this for?
Families where one parent is a Singapore Citizen and the other is not. It covers the birth, the child’s citizenship and passport, and family visits. ICA and MOM decide each case.
Baby born in Singapore: what do we do?
- All births in Singapore must be registered within 42 days from the date of birth, online through LifeSG. It costs S$18.
- The parent who is a Singapore Citizen, PR or FIN holder logs in with Singpass and registers the birth. They may need to upload the other parent’s passport bio-data page and the marriage certificate.
- Documents not in English need official translations.
- The registration settles your child’s citizenship. Is your child not a Singapore citizen? ICA says to get a passport from your country’s embassy or high commission within 42 days. Your child also needs a valid pass to stay beyond day 42.
Baby born overseas: what do we do?
- Singapore does not register births that happen overseas. Register the birth in that country first. Then the Singapore Citizen parent applies for the child’s Singapore citizenship on ICA e-Service with Singpass.
- Who can apply: an unmarried child below 21, born within a legal marriage to a Singapore Citizen or legally adopted by one. ICA's apply page adds a condition. The birth mother is a Singapore Citizen, or the father is one and married to the mother at the birth.
- ICA charges S$18 and processes it within 1 month.
How do we get a Singapore passport for our child?
A Singapore passport for a citizen below 16 is valid for 5 years. The first passport fee is waived if you apply on MyICA on or before your child's first birthday. After that it costs S$70 online or S$80 at the counter.
The other country: register the birth or apply for that passport through its embassy or high commission. ICA’s pages do not cover this.
What if our child holds two citizenships?
- A child with two citizenships must choose one on turning 21. ICA says Singapore does not allow dual citizenship for adults.
- Until then: a Singapore Citizen below 21 who also holds a foreign passport may apply for a Right of Entry (ROE).
- A child who became a citizen by descent or registration takes an oath of loyalty after turning 21 and before their 22nd birthday. Otherwise they lose Singapore citizenship on their 22nd birthday. ICA calls it the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty. They bring their identity card and a certificate showing they gave up the foreign citizenship.
- ICA's form adds that male Singapore Citizens and PRs must serve National Service unless exempted.
How can the grandparents visit or stay?
- Short visits
- Visitors from some countries need a visa before they travel; ICA lists them. ICA emails each visitor an electronic Visit Pass. To stay longer, ask ICA to extend the Short-Term Visit Pass.
- Longer stays
- A parent of a Singapore Citizen or PR can apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass. Parents-in-law cannot. The sponsor is the Singapore Citizen or PR child if aged 21 or above. ICA charges S$45 to apply and S$60 on issue, within 6 weeks.
- On an Employment Pass or S Pass
- On an Employment Pass or S Pass, MOM gives your parents a Long-Term Visit Pass only if your fixed monthly salary is at least S$12,000.
ICA’s long-term pass is for a parent of a Singapore Citizen or PR, not parents-in-law. So the Singapore Citizen parent’s own parents can apply. The other parent’s parents can apply only if that parent is a PR.
What does this guide not tell you?
It does not decide your child’s citizenship or any pass: ICA and MOM do. It does not cover the other country’s rules. Ask that country’s embassy.
Printables for this guide
Birth registration, Baby Bonus and CDA steps
The steps in order: register the birth on LifeSG within 42 days and enrol in the same flow. Then open the CDA for the First Step Grant and co-matching.
Moving to Singapore with children checklist
Passes, the compulsory measles and diphtheria proof, school documents and health cover for children moving to Singapore. Plus a page for dates and documents.
Register the birth step by step
The printable lists what to prepare for LifeSG, and the Baby Bonus and CDA steps that follow.
Get the birth registration steps → What a citizen, PR or foreign child gets →Frequently asked questions
How long do we have to register the birth?
42 days from the birth, online through LifeSG. The parent who is a Singapore Citizen, PR or FIN holder logs in with Singpass.
Does Singapore register a birth overseas?
No. ICA says Singapore does not register births that happen overseas. Register it there, then the Singapore Citizen parent applies to ICA for the child’s citizenship.
Can my child keep two passports?
Until 21. ICA says Singapore does not allow dual citizenship for adults, so your child must choose one on turning 21.
Can my parents stay longer than a visit?
A parent of a Singapore Citizen or PR can apply to ICA for a Long-Term Visit Pass. Parents-in-law cannot.
Keep this guide for the next big decision.
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Sources & assumptions
- ICA birth certificate ↗
- LifeSG birth registration ↗
- ICA child born overseas ↗
- ICA Singapore citizenship ↗
- ICA — Apply for Singapore citizenship ↗
- ICA passport ↗
- ICA Right of Entry request form ↗
- ICA Right of Entry ↗
- ICA oath for citizens by descent or registration ↗
- ICA visa requirements ↗
- ICA Long-Term Visit Pass ↗
- MOM Long-Term Visit Pass ↗
Check the official page before you apply.