Article from first-hand experience and available on our baby website - http://www.jaimezheng.com/Having a baby is one of the most joyous and memorable moments that any family will experience. It is also a time when much planning is required, both in the preparation for the newest addition, as well as ensuring all required documentation is attended to.
The population of Singapore in July, 2008 will be in excess of 4.6M people. More than 20% of these people will be non-residents or expats. This means that the number of non-resident babies born in Singapore will be increasing.
Contrary to many other country's laws, any baby born in Singapore will not be a citizen of the republic if neither of the parents are Singapore citizens at the time of birth.
The following article outlines the 'front to back' end process that we undertook upon the birth of Jaime Zheng Jiayang in 2007. All information and links are accurate at the time of writing, however we strongly recommend that you visit the relative websites for any updated information.
At the time of Jaime's birth, I was an Australian citizen (on Australian passport) and working and living in Singapore on a P1 Employment pass issued by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MoM).
■ Register the Birth with Singapore Registry of Births & Deaths
■ Attain Australian Citizenship (by descent) & Australian Passport
■ Attain Dependent's Pass from MoM
Completion of all three steps must adhere to a very strict timeline as dictated by the Singapore government, Immigration and MoM (Ministry of Manpower).
Step 1: Register the Birth with Singapore Registry of Births & Deaths
All births in Singapore must be registered within 14-days from the date of birth. Most maternity hospitals in Singapore have a registry office, hence we took the opportunity to register Jaime while he and his mother were still recovering at Mt Elizabeth Hospital after the birth.
The process and documentation required for birth registration is as follows:
Where To Register Births?
The Birth Registration Centres available are:
Registry of Births & Deaths
Citizen Services Centre3rd Storey,
ICA Building 10 Kallang Road
(Next to Lavender MRT station)Singapore 208718
KK Women's & Children's Hospital
East Shore Hospital
Gleneagles Hospital
Mt Alvernia Hospital
Mt Elizabeth Hospital
National University Hospital
Singapore General Hospital
Thomson Medical Centre
Raffles Hospital
For births in other hospitals, please register at the Citizen Services Centre.
Those who are not born in hospitals (eg, at home or in cars), obtain the Notification of Live Birth from the doctors/midwife/ ambulance staff who delivered the baby.
When To Register Births?
Births should be registered within 14 days from the date of birth, including Sundays and public holidays. For births registered after 14 days and within 42 days, it is considered delayed registration. However, if registration is done after 42 days, a letter of explanation stating the reason for late registration must be submitted for the Registrar/Registrar General's approval. After approval has been given, the birth will be registered and the birth certificate will be issued. Such cases can only be registered at ICA.
In addition, for all birth registrations, please note the following:
- Child's name must be furnished at the time of birth registration.
- Ethnic characters of the child's name in Chinese/Jawi/Tamil (optional) can be included in the birth certificate but the accuracy of the ethnic characters must be ensured by the parents/informants.
- For Chinese children who have been given a name in full Hanyu Pinyin version, the Chinese characters of hisname must be reflected in the birth certificate.
Procedure (If registering at Citizen Services Centre)
- Proceed to Counter 1, 3rd Storey to obtain a Q-number and Birth Report form.
- Complete the Birth Report form at the form filling counter and wait to be called. Registration officer will verifythe documents produced and print out the birth certificate.
- Informant verifies particulars in the birth certificate, writes Ethnic characters and signs on the birth certificate.
- Informant waits for the birth certificate to be laminated and issued.
Peak Period to Avoid
The Registry of Births and Deaths is generally at its busiest on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays and on days before and after public holidays. The peak hours are after 11 am on weekdays and Saturdays. While every effort will be made to attend to each application as quickly as possible, waiting times may be longer during these periods. The public is advised to avoid coming to the Registry during these peak periods, if possible.
Documents Required
- Notification of Live Birth issued by the hospitals;
- Both parents' identity cards;
- Original marriage certificate;
- Both parents' passports, entry permit and Disembarkation/Embarkation card issued by ICA (for foreigners);
- A letter of authorisation from the parents of the child, if someone else registers the birth on - behalf of the parents.
Fees
S$18 is charged by ICA.
Some hospitals may charge an administrative fee for the service provided on top of the S$18.
Please make payment by NETS.
Processing Time
On the spot.
Links
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (for Birth Registration process)
Step 2: Attain Australian Citizenship (by descent) and Passport
People born outside Australia after 26 January 1949 are eligible for citizenship by descent, if:
• at least one parent was an Australian citizen at the time of the person’s birth; and
• they are of good character, if aged 18 years or over at the time of application.
Click here for the full process, documentation requirements and Application Form (118) from Australian Immigration
Once citizenship by descent has been effected, and citizenship certificate has been issued, continue to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for passport application.
Click here for online portal for process, documentation requirements and application forms for Passport Applications
Step 3: Attain Dependent's Pass from Singapore Ministry of Manpower
Employment Pass holders (P1, P2 and Q1) and S Pass holders (whose fixed monthly salary is more than $2,500) may apply for Dependant's Passes (DPs) for their:
Spouse; or
Unmarried/legally adopted children under 21 years of age, including new borns*.
*For babies born in Singapore, the parent has to report to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) with the letter issued by the hospital to obtain a Social Visit Pass. This pass is valid for 42 days, during which, an application for DP can be submitted.
Click here for the full process, documentation requirements and Application Forms for Dependent's Pass from MoM
3 comments:
Your baby is very cute
Useful information. Thankyou!!
okie great deal of procedures, glad u guys got it cleared!
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