Adoption

[Scummy Mummy]

Btw, this link is to the MCYS info on adoption, very useful

http://fcd.ecitizen.gov.sg/ChildrenNParenthood/AdoptAChild/

BM: Please don't delete this, not a commercial enterprise, just trying to be helpful.

[Aliya]

Americans too have the govt letter issue so they have to adopt Singapore born children.  You need to contact your embassy because if you are looking at going back to the US within 2 years of your adoption being formalised then I understand you have to apply for a visa and this entials a homestudy (SACAC) and then the homestudy needs to be approved by a US based agency.  An American friend of mine is in the process of adopting here so it can be done.

Before anyone thinks that adopting in Singapore is quick and easy it is not.  Well it can be quick - in general you have to wait for months for a baby to be available or sometimes you may lucky and be in the right place at the right time. 

All adoptions that take place in Singapore of Singapore or overseas born children are vetted by MCYS before an adoption order can be granted. MCYS does a very careful and indepth vetting of all prospective parents and agents involved and this process takes some months. You also have to attend a Disclosure seminar which teaches adoptive parents how to disclose to their children they are adopted.  The process is very detailed and goes right into your family history, financial stability, relationships, ability to look after a child and most importantly how to deal with having a child who has been adopted - their issues going forward etc, it is a very well done but also very supportive review of adoptive parents and the adoption cannot be finalised without this exhaustive review.  You can adopt through MCYS and in addition there are reputable agencies around who act for adoptive parents in adoptions.

WRT health etc as far as I know all birth mothers have blood tests carried out before giving birth and the babies undertake a medical including bloods as well.  So if a child has HIV or Hep B/C issues then these are generally picked up at the time of the mother's bloods or from the babies.  As an adoptive parent the baby's medical report is provided to you or takes place after you identify the child.  In my experience, like SM, I have only heard of 2 children with issues and both of them were fine after retesting. 

[what happens?]

As I understand it you can't adopt a child with HIV or Hepatitis.   What happens to Singaporean babies up for adoption with any of the above?  Can Singaporeans adopt them?  Is that rule just for foreigners/EP holders?

Not trying to stir - genuinely curious.

[Aliya]

I don't know.  I would think that countries that will not allow a child an entry adoption visa will not allow you to adopt but if there is no such restriction then it would be up to the individual adopter to decide whether to take on the child.

[scoobydoo]

Do pregnant women(atleast the ones who would be carrying the children up for adoption) tend to get pretty good prenatal care here?

[Scummy Mummy]

Yes. Essentially if they place their baby with an agent the adoptive parents pay for the pre natal care, which is why they'll approach the agent while pregnant rather than just give the baby to MCYS after the birth. Good care, but not a single room in Gleaneagles.

[LPB]

Can anyone recommend me an agency that i can go to for a local adoption.  my husband and i are both british citizens and i am on an employment pass intending to apply for PR.  i have tried to contact agencies but have been rejected because i am british.  it seems that adopting a singaporean baby may be the way forward but all these agencies seem to offer foreign babies.

i am 43 and my husband is 29 so worried too that we may not qualify because of his or my age.  Will this matter?  i can't have any more children due to medical reasons so this really is our only hope of having our own child. 

i was adopted myself from Korea so i really want to be able to give a child a good future as i know personally all the issues that any adopted child may face.  i don't care what race the child is as my husband is indian any child available in this part of the world would suit us just fine!

[Try this]

You can look up adoption agency details at the back of a local expat magazine. My friends who are not PR, both British, been here a year have adopted a local singaporean boy and it took all of 6 weeks to complete. They got him when he was 3 days old. They went through a private agent also listed in this said magazine. It was expensive but worth it as it was a guaranteed result as opposed to IVF. I know that their 6 week turn around was very lucky and quick. Other couples going through the same agent havent been as lucky so it has taken them a few months. The ad of the agency has a word in it that is of a Royal nature.

[Aliya]

You are welcome to contact Scummy Mummy and me about adoption, we have both adopted in Singapore and are familiar with the adoption process in Singapore.

[Scummy Mummy]

I would get on an agency's books ASAP, as I've heard from several sources that fewer Singaporean children are available for adoption.

I can't imagine your age would be an issue, as we're both in our 40s. You just need to convince MCYS your marriage is sound.

[Aliya]

Yes two friends have waited up to a year.  You can be lucky and be in the right place at the right time, I have also heard of that recently.