Welcoming a new child into your family through adoption is a joyous and transformative experience. As an adoptive parent in Singapore, it’s essential to understand your rights and the support available to you during this significant transition.
Adoption leave in Singapore is designed to provide adoptive mothers with the necessary time to bond with and care for their newly adopted infants.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key aspects of adoption leave in Singapore, ensuring you’re well-informed and prepared for this new chapter in your life.
What Is Adoption Leave in Singapore?
Adoption leave is a statutory entitlement that allows eligible adoptive mothers to take time off work to care for and bond with their adopted infants. This leave recognises the unique needs of adoptive families and provides support during the early stages of the child’s integration into the family.
Purpose of Adoption Leave
The purpose of adoption leave in Singapore is to:
- Give adoptive mothers dedicated time to bond with their child – The early months of adoption are crucial for developing a strong attachment between parent and child.
- Ensure a smooth transition into parenthood – Adoption comes with emotional, legal, and administrative adjustments that require time and focus.
- Allow adoptive mothers to take care of their child’s needs – Infants require constant attention, medical checkups, and caregiving routines.
- Provide a similar benefit to biological mothers on maternity leave – Adoption leave is structured in a way that acknowledges the caregiving role of adoptive mothers.
Eligibility Criteria For Adoption Leave In Singapore
To qualify for adoption leave in Singapore, adoptive mothers must meet specific requirements set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to ensure that the leave benefits are granted to those genuinely committed to adoption. The eligibility conditions revolve around the child’s age, citizenship status, employment tenure, and the legal adoption process.
1. Child’s Age
The adopted child must be below 12 months old at the time of formal intent to adopt. This ensures that adoptive mothers receive the necessary time off to care for an infant, a stage requiring close attention, bonding, and adjustment.
2. Child’s Citizenship Status
The adopted child must be a Singapore citizen. If the child is not a citizen at birth, at least one of the adoptive parents must be a Singapore citizen, and the child must obtain citizenship within six months from the date of adoption. This criterion is essential to ensure that government-paid benefits go towards supporting Singaporean families.
3. Employment Duration
To be eligible for adoption leave, the adoptive mother must have worked in a full-time or self-employed capacity for at least three continuous months before the formal intent to adopt. This ensures that the leave benefits go to working individuals who contribute to the economy while balancing their parental responsibilities.
4. Legal Adoption Process
It must go through a proper legal adoption process. The adoptive mother must initiate the adoption process in the Singapore Court and obtain an adoption order within one year from the date of the formal intent to adopt. This guarantees that the leave is granted for legitimate adoptions.
If these criteria are met, the adoptive mother will be entitled to the government-paid 12 weeks of adoption leave. However, if the employer has their own adoption leave policies, the adoptive mother should check if there are additional benefits available.
Application Process For Adoption Leave In Singapore
Applying for adoption leave in Singapore involves notifying the employer, preparing the necessary documents, and following the correct submission procedures to ensure a smooth process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply:
1. Notify Your Employer Early
As soon as you have plans to adopt, inform your employer about your intention to take adoption leave. While it is not mandatory to give notice months in advance, it is recommended to do so as early as possible.
This allows your employer to make arrangements for work coverage during your absence. Provide the expected leave period and be ready to submit supporting documents when requested.
2. Gather the Required Documents
To support your adoption leave application, you will need to submit:
- Formal Intent to Adopt Document
- If the child is a Singapore citizen, this is the date the adoption application is submitted to the Court.
- If the child is not a Singapore citizen, this is the date the Dependant’s Pass is issued or approved by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
- Proof of Child’s Citizenship
- For non-Singapore citizen children, proof must be provided within six months of adoption.
- Employment Records
- If you are employed, your company may require verification of your continuous employment for at least three months before adoption.
- If you are self-employed, you may need to provide tax documents, income statements, or other proof of active engagement in your profession.
3. Submit Your Application to the Employer
Once you have gathered the necessary documents, submit them to your employer according to their internal leave policies. The employer may have a specific procedure for processing adoption leave applications, such as using an HR portal or filling out a leave request form.
4. Employer Processes the Application
Your employer will review your eligibility and approve your leave request if all criteria are met. Employers may also claim reimbursement from the government for the portion of adoption leave covered by the state.
5. Plan Your Leave Schedule (If Flexibility is Allowed)
By default, adoption leave in Singapore is taken in one continuous stretch, starting from the formal intent to adopt date and used before the child’s first birthday. However, the last four weeks can be taken flexibly if both the employer and employee agree. If you wish to take your leave in different blocks rather than consecutively, discuss this with your employer in advance.
6. Ensure Compliance with Adoption Order Timeline
The adoption order must be granted within one year of the formal intent to adopt. If the legal adoption process is not completed within this timeframe, the government or employer may recover the leave benefits paid.
Conclusion About Adoption Leave In Singapore
Embarking on the journey of adoption is both rewarding and challenging. Understanding your entitlements, such as adoption leave in Singapore, ensures you have the necessary support to welcome your new family member.
If you require legal assistance or guidance through the adoption process, consider reaching out to us at Tembusu Law, renowned for having some of the best Divorce and family lawyers in Singapore, who can provide expert advice tailored to your unique situation.
Contact us today for a free consultation for all your legal needs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption Leave In Singapore
Can Adoption Leave Be Shared With The Child’s Father?
Yes, adoptive fathers can share up to four weeks of their spouse’s 12 weeks of adoption leave, provided the formal intent to adopt is on or after 1 July 2017.
Are Self-Employed Mothers Eligible For Adoption Leave?
Yes, self-employed mothers are eligible for adoption leave in Singapore if they have been engaged in their work for a continuous period of at least three months before the formal intent to adopt and have lost income during the adoption leave period.
What Happens If The Adoption Order Is Not Granted Within One Year?
If the adoption order is not passed within one year from the formal intent to adopt, the government or employer may recover the reimbursements or payments made for the adoption leave.
Can Adoption Leave Be Taken Non-Continuously?
Yes, with mutual agreement between you and your employer, the last four weeks of adoption leave can be taken flexibly in days before the child’s first birthday.
Is There A Cap On The Reimbursement For Adoption Leave?
Yes, the reimbursement is capped at $10,000 per four weeks, including CPF contributions. For the first and second child, the cap is up to $20,000, and for the third and subsequent children, it is up to $30,000.
