In forceUpdated to 15 Oct 2024

Contents

Adoption of Children Act 2022 · Updated to 15 Oct 2024 · Part 1 · Preliminary

3. Meaning of “adoption agency”

(1)

For the purposes of this Act, an adoption agency is any person that carries on the business (whether for profit or not) of making arrangements for or on behalf of any other person for the adoption in Singapore by that other person of a child, but does not include a fostering agency or any other person that may be prescribed by the regulations.

(2)

For the purposes of this Act, a person (A) carries on the business (whether for profit or not) of making arrangements for or on behalf of another person (B) for the adoption by B of a child under the Act, whether or not —

(a)

B makes an adoption application in respect of the child;

(b)

the arrangements are accompanied by any other service to B before or after the conclusion of adoption proceedings arising from an adoption application made by B in respect of the child; or

(c)

A also carries on the business (whether for profit or not) of providing any other service.

(3)

In this section, a reference to the making of arrangements for or on behalf of a person (A) for the adoption of a child by A includes a reference to any of the following:

(a)

informing A about the process of adoption in Singapore, including under the repealed Act;

(b)

informing A about the eligibility criteria for an adoption order, or the parenting of an adopted child, including under the repealed Act;

(c)

arranging for A to undergo the process for obtaining an ASA;

(d)

conducting an assessment of A’s suitability to adopt for the purpose of issuing an ASA to A;

(e)

finding a child for whom an adoptive parent is being sought, on behalf of A;

(f)

obtaining the agreement of any relevant person of a child to seek an adoptive parent for the child (whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries), with a view to the child’s adoption by A;

(g)

transferring (whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries) the physical custody of a child, or the custody or care and control of a child, to A with a view to the child’s adoption by A;

(h)

obtaining, on behalf of A, the consent required under section 26 of any relevant person of a child for the adoption of the child by A, whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries;

(i)

providing any service to A after an adoption order in respect of a child has been made in favour of A to support A in the parenting of the child.

Terms defined in s 2

adopted child
Defined · s 2
“adopted child” means an individual (whether below 21 years of age or otherwise) in respect of whom an adoption order has been made;
Open s 2
adoption application
Defined · s 2
“adoption application” means an application made under this Act for an adoption order;
Open s 2
adoption order
Defined · s 2
“adoption order” means an order under section 23(1);
Open s 2
adoption proceedings
Defined · s 2
“adoption proceedings” means the proceedings in court arising from an adoption application, including any appeal against any decision made by the court on the adoption application;
Open s 2
adoptive parent
Defined · s 2
“adoptive parent” means an individual who adopts a child under an adoption order and, in the case of an adoption order made in favour of 2 applicants jointly, means either of the applicants;
Open s 2
ASA
Defined · s 2
“Adoption Suitability Assessment” or “ASA” means an Adoption Suitability Assessment issued by an authorised adoption agency under section 14;
Open s 2
child
Defined · s 2
“child”, if age rather than descendancy is relevant, means an individual below 21 years of age;
Open s 2
fostering agency
Defined · s 2
“fostering agency” means a person who enters into an agreement with the Government to provide services in relation to the fostering of children, including overseeing one or more fostering arrangements;
Open s 2
regulations
Defined · s 2
“regulations” means the regulations made under section 75;
Open s 2
relevant person
Defined · s 2
“relevant person”, in relation to a child, or a protected person mentioned in Part 5, means any person who —(a)is a parent or guardian of the child or protected person;(b)has actual custody of the child or protected person; or(c)is liable to contribute to the support of the child or protected person;
Open s 2
repealed Act
Defined · s 2
“repealed Act” means the Adoption of Children Act 1939;
Open s 2

Read on from s 4

Part 2

Pre-Adoption Application Requirements

Read on from Part 2

Part 3

Adoption Proceedings

Read on from Part 3

Part 4

Post-Adoption Matters

Read on from Part 4

Part 5

Confidentiality of Children Involved in Adoption Proceedings

Read on from Part 5

Part 6

Regulation of Adoption Practices and Processes

Read on from Part 6

Part 7

Enforcement

Read on from Part 7

Part 8

General Provisions

Read on from Part 8

Part 9

Related and Consequential Amendments and Saving and Transitional Provisions

Read on from Part 9