Finding Missing Person In Singapore: 6 Step-By-Step Guide

It’s one of the most terrifying situations anyone can face. When someone you care about suddenly disappears without explanation, the uncertainty can feel overwhelming. You may not know where to start, who to call, or how serious the situation really is.

The truth is, there’s no time to waste when it comes to finding a missing person in Singapore. Whether your loved one went missing locally or abroad, knowing what to do early can help avoid delays that may cost you valuable time.

This article will walk you through each stage of the process, from filing a police report and using digital tools to navigating legal procedures if the person is never found. You’ll get practical guidance to help you take action with confidence.

What To Do Immediately When Someone Goes Missing

If someone you know goes missing, take action immediately. In Singapore, you do not need to wait 24 or 48 hours before filing a report. Once you’ve tried to reach them and failed, especially if there’s any concern for their safety, you should report it to the police right away.

Step 1: Try To Contact Or Locate The Person Yourself

Before filing a missing person report, take reasonable steps to locate them on your own. This can help confirm whether the person is truly missing or simply out of reach.

Start by calling or texting them. If they don’t respond, try messaging them through social media or apps they usually use. Check if they were recently active online.

You should also contact people close to them—family members, housemates, co-workers, or friends. Ask if anyone has seen or spoken to them recently.

If they live alone, consider visiting their home. You can also check their workplace, school, or any location they frequent. Look for signs like unopened mail, unattended pets, or uncollected deliveries.

If all attempts fail and the person is still unreachable, proceed to next steps.

Step 2: Call 999 If There’s Immediate Danger

If the missing person has a medical condition, is vulnerable, or may be in a dangerous situation, call 999 immediately. This is treated as an emergency.

Do this even if they’ve only been missing for a short time. The police can begin urgent action straight away.

Step 3: Lodge A Police Report As Soon As Possible

If it’s not an emergency, you should still report the missing person at the nearest Neighbourhood Police Post.

There is no waiting period. According to Singapore law, you can file a missing person report at any time after contact is lost. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) encourages early reporting to improve the chances of finding the person.

You may also choose to lodge a police report online using SPF’s e-services portal, though in-person reports are generally faster in serious cases.

Step 4: Prepare The Information You’ll Need

When filing a missing persons report in Singapore, you’ll need to provide accurate details. Below is a simple checklist of what to prepare:

Having this information ready makes it easier for police to start their search quickly.

Step 5: Share Any Clues Or Leads You Have

Mention anything else that may help—recent messages, changes in behavior, conflicts, or details about where they might have gone. The more helpful the context, the better.

You should also share any extra details that could help, such as:

• CCTV footage
• Social media messages
• Phone call logs
• Witness accounts

Step 6: Cooperate with Investigations

After you report the missing person, you may be asked follow-up questions or to help verify information. Stay contactable.

You can also follow up with the investigation officer assigned to your case.

What The Police Will Do After The Report Is Filed

Once a missing person report in Singapore is filed, the police will begin investigations without delay. An Investigation Officer (IO) will be assigned to your case and guide you on the next steps.

You will be updated if your loved one is found or if there is any important progress. The IO remains your point of contact throughout the case.

Types Of Searches The Police May Conduct

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) uses several methods to locate missing persons. These efforts begin as soon as the report is received.

Here’s what the police may do:

These searches are guided by internal police protocols, but may vary based on the person’s age, health condition, and circumstances of disappearance.

What If You Locate The Person After Reporting?

If you find the missing person after submitting a police report, you must notify the Investigation Officer-in-charge immediately.

This is important for two reasons:

1. To close the case officially and update internal records
2. To prevent ongoing searches that may waste public resources

You do not need to make a new report. Simply call or visit the officer assigned to your case and provide confirmation that the person is safe and accounted for.

Timely updates also help keep the SPF missing person list accurate and ensure the safety of others who may still be under active investigation.

What To Do If The Person Is Missing Overseas

Step 1: Lodge A Police Report In Singapore

Visit your nearest NPP to file a missing person report. You should mention that the person is believed to be missing overseas.

If possible, obtain a copy of the foreign police report from the country where the person disappeared. This helps Singapore police and MFA coordinate with overseas agencies.

Step 2: Contact The MFA Duty Office Or Overseas Mission

After filing a report, call the MFA Duty Office at +65 6379 8800 or contact the relevant Singapore Overseas Mission.

You will need to provide:

• A copy of your Singapore police report
• A copy of the foreign police report (if available)
• The missing person’s full details and last known location overseas

Step 3: Understand What MFA Can And Cannot Do

Here is a quick reference table:

There is no specific Singapore law that governs overseas search efforts, but the MFA offers limited consular support depending on the country’s cooperation and local law enforcement practices.

Always keep your contact information updated with MFA, especially during international travel or emergencies involving missing persons.

Other Ways To Search For A Missing Person

1. Try Calling Or Messaging Their Mobile

Continue to call or text the missing person’s mobile phone. If the phone rings or appears active, it may mean the device is on and within reach.

If the call goes straight to voicemail, the phone may be switched off or the battery could be dead. In some cases, law enforcement can use location-sharing apps or satellite data to determine the last known signal.

Also check if the person uses any safety apps like:

• Find My Friends (Shows real-time location sharing)
• Life360 (Location history and geofencing)
• Google Location (Timeline data if linked to Google account)

You can inform the police about any of these tools, especially if the data may help determine the person’s location.

2. Check Their Social Media Activity

Visit your loved one’s social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.

Look for:

• Their last activity or post date
• Any signs of emotional distress
• Check-ins at specific locations
• Comments or messages from others

These digital footprints can help narrow down their mental state, recent movements, or who they were last in contact with.

If you believe the person was in emotional distress or posted any suicidal messages, notify the police immediately. Mental health concerns are taken seriously during investigations into missing persons in Singapore.

3. Spread The Word Online

You can use your own social media channels to raise awareness. Ask family and friends to share a post with the person’s photo, last known location, and a contact number.

This method has helped solve several cases locally. In one case reported by Crime Library Singapore, a missing woman was found after a member of the public recognized her from a shared Facebook post.

The more people who see the post, the more likely someone may offer information. When creating a post:

4. Retrace Their Last Known Steps

Think about the person’s most recent activities. Contact their:

• Close friends
• Classmates or colleagues
• Neighbours or roommates

Ask if they noticed any unusual behaviour or heard about the person’s recent plans. Try to verify when they were last seen, where they were heading, or who they spoke to last.

List out any locations they frequent, such as gyms, parks, workplaces, or malls. Visit those places if it’s safe to do so and ask if anyone recalls seeing them.

5. Hire A Licensed Private Investigator

If you have the resources, you may choose to hire a private investigator (PI) in Singapore. This is a legal option under the Private Security Industry Act.

Make sure the PI is licensed by the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department (PLRD). A legitimate investigator will follow ethical guidelines and can work alongside police investigations where appropriate.

What If The Missing Person Is Never Found

If all efforts to locate a missing person in Singapore have failed, you may eventually need to apply for a presumption of death certificate. This legal declaration allows you to handle their estate, such as closing bank accounts or managing property.

Under Singapore’s Evidence Act, certain conditions must be met before the court can issue this declaration.

The 7-Year Rule For Presumption Of Death

According to Section 110 of the Evidence Act, a person may be presumed dead if they have not been heard from for 7 continuous years. This means there must be no contact or communication with people they would normally be in touch with.

The law assumes that if a person would have naturally reached out—especially to close family or trusted individuals—and has not done so for seven years, it is reasonable to believe they may have passed away.

No Contact With Anyone They Would Normally Speak To

To support the application, the court considers who the missing person would typically contact if they were still alive. These people are usually:

• Close family members
• Long-time friends
• Domestic partners
• Trusted colleagues or employers

You must show that none of these individuals have heard from the person in seven years. If even one of them has had meaningful contact, the application may be denied.

This requirement ensures that the person’s disappearance is not due to personal choice or estrangement alone.

Efforts To Locate The Missing Person Must Be Proven

Before applying, you must show that you took sufficient steps to search for the person. This is a critical part of the process and is evaluated based on the facts of each case.

Efforts can include:

These steps must show that you actively searched, not just waited for contact.

The court will assess whether your actions were appropriate, thorough, and reasonable. What qualifies as “sufficient” may depend on the person’s age, lifestyle, mental health, or risk of harm.

Applying For A Court Order And Presumption Of Death Certificate

If the court is satisfied with your application, it may issue an order declaring the person presumed dead. With this order, you can register the death with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and obtain a death certificate in Singapore.

You may then apply for:

• A Grant of Probate (if a will exists)
• Letters of Administration (if there is no will)
• These legal instruments allow you to manage the person’s estate.

Keep in mind: If there is evidence that the person may have been alive within the past 30 years, the court may apply Section 109 of the Evidence Act, which requires additional proof to declare death.

What If They Went Missing Due To A Natural Disaster?

If someone goes missing due to a natural disaster, you may apply for a presumption of death certificate immediately if you can show proof that they were at the location when the disaster occurred.

You do not need to wait 7 years in this situation. Instead, the court will consider the evidence of the disaster and the likelihood that the person was affected by it. This is treated as an exception under Singapore law.

You must file a court application supported by documents such as:

If the court is satisfied, it will issue a declaration that the person is presumed dead. With this, you can register the death with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and proceed to apply for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, depending on whether the person had a will.

A notable case involved two Singaporean kayakers who went missing off Mersing, Johor in August 2019. Despite extensive search efforts, only their kayak was recovered, hundreds of kilometers away. Their prolonged disappearance during confirmed dangerous sea conditions became grounds for further legal action, including presumptions of death for estate matters.

In such difficult situations, quick action supported by the right documents can help families manage the practical aspects of loss. Always seek legal advice when applying for a court declaration in these cases.

Useful Contacts And Government Resources

If someone goes missing, there are official and community-based resources that can help you take action quickly. These platforms offer support to report missing persons, share alerts, or handle legal follow-ups such as applying for a death certificate in Singapore.

Below is a list of useful contacts and what each one offers:

These platforms often work best when used together. Start with an official police report, then follow up with public awareness through trusted community channels.

Conclusion About Finding Missing Person In Singapore

Finding a missing person in Singapore involves more than filing a report—it requires timely action, accurate information, and sometimes legal follow-up if the person is never found. From contacting the police and using online resources, to applying for a presumption of death certificate when necessary, each step matters in bringing clarity and closure. Whether your loved one is missing locally or abroad, knowing your options and acting quickly can make a meaningful difference.

Tembusu Law offers professional legal support throughout this difficult process. Our team can help you file reports, manage estate matters, or apply for a declaration of death, with clear guidance every step of the way. We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence and peace of mind.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Missing Person In Singapore

How To Find A Missing Person In Singapore?

Start by filing a police report immediately, then use tools like social media, location apps, and community networks to help with the search.

How Long Must Someone Be Missing Before I Can Report It?

There is no minimum time requirement. You can report a missing person in Singapore immediately.

Where Do I File A Missing Person Report In Singapore?

You can lodge a report at any Neighbourhood Police Post or through the SPF e-services portal online.

What Information Do I Need To Provide In The Police Report?

You’ll need the person’s full name, NRIC or passport number, physical description, last seen details, and a recent photograph.

Can I Still Search On My Own After Reporting To Police?

Yes, you can continue contacting their friends, checking social media, and posting public appeals online.

What If The Person Went Missing Overseas?

You should report it in Singapore and contact the relevant overseas mission or the MFA Duty Office for help.

What If The Person Is Never Found After Many Years?

You can apply for a court declaration of presumed death after 7 years of no contact, under Singapore’s Evidence Act.