Singapore

Acquisition of Singapore Citizenship by Descent

Singapore citizenship legislation, governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, operates mainly through the principle of jus sanguinis, with different requirements depending on whether the child is born within or outside Singapore. A person born outside Singapore may acquire Singapore citizenship by descent if at least one of the parents is a Singapore citizen at the time of the child’s birth.

Under Article 122(1) of the Constitution, a person born outside Singapore after 16 September 1963 shall be a Singapore citizen by descent. For persons born before the commencement of section 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 2004, the child must have a father who is a Singapore citizen by birth or registration at the time of birth. For persons born on or after the commencement of section 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 2004, either the father or mother must be a Singapore citizen by birth, registration, or descent at the time of birth.

However, Article 122(2) provides that a person born outside Singapore shall not acquire Singapore citizenship by descent unless the birth is registered in the prescribed manner at the Registry of Citizens or at a Singapore diplomatic or consular mission within one year after the birth, or such longer period as permitted by the Government. In addition, where the Singapore citizen parent is a citizen by registration, the child must not acquire citizenship of the country in which the child was born by reason of birth in that country.

Where the Singapore citizen parent is a citizen by descent, Article 122(3) further requires that the parent must have lawfully resided in Singapore for at least five years before the child’s birth, or for at least two years within the five years immediately preceding the child’s birth.

Registration of Birth Overseas

In the situation where a child is born oversea to Singapore citizen parents, Singapore does not register overseas births. Therefore, the parents must first register the child’s birth with the oversea authorities and obtain the birth certificate. After obtaining the overseas birth certificate, the Singapore citizen parent may submit an application for Singapore citizenship by descent for the child through the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website using the parent’s Singpass account. The application must be submitted online, and it should generally be made within one year from the child’s birth. If the application is submitted after one year, a letter explaining the delay is required.

The application requires various supporting documents, including the completed application form (Form SCRM), the child’s recent passport-sized colour photograph, the parents’ identity cards, citizenship certificates (if any), passports, entry permits and re-entry permits (if any), marriage certificate, and other relevant documents such as divorce certificates, separation agreements, or proof of custodianship where applicable. The parents may also be required to provide academic or professional certificates, employment letters stating employment details and salary, income tax Notice of Assessment for the last three years, CPF contribution history for the previous twelve months, and business profile information from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority where applicable. The child’s birth certificate must also be submitted.

The Consulate-General does not process applications for citizenship by descent but assists in forwarding the application forms and supporting documents to the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for processing. The processing of an application generally takes at least three months, although some cases may take longer. The application fee is S$100 and is non-refundable, while the issuance of a Citizenship Certificate, if approved, costs S$70. Upon receiving the child’s citizenship certificate, the parents may apply for a Singapore passport on behalf of the child.

Singapore does not recognise citizenship solely based on birth in Singapore where both parents are non-citizens, although eligibility may be considered at the discretion of the Government. Foundlings are considered Singapore citizens at birth. There is no specific definition or provision relating to stateless persons or statelessness under Singapore citizenship legislation.