Adoption of Children Act 2022 · Updated to 15 Oct 2024 · Part 3 · Adoption Proceedings
42. Matters with respect to which court to be satisfied before making adoption order
Official textFrom Singapore Statutes Online, unchanged
The court must not make an adoption order unless the court is satisfied that —
court
“court” means the Family Division of the High Court, a Family Court, or any court hearing an appeal against an order or a decision of the Family Division of the High Court or a Family Court, except in sections 48, 51, 66, 69, 70, 72 and 73 where “court” means a court of competent jurisdiction;
every relevant person whose consent is required under section 26 and whose consent is not dispensed with has freely consented to and understands the nature and effect of the adoption order and, in particular, every relevant person who is a parent of the child understands that the effect of the adoption order will be permanently to deprive him or her of his or her parental rights over the child;
the adoption order, if made, will be for the welfare of the child; and
the joint applicants or sole applicant (as the case may be) have or has the appropriate character and fitness and are or is suitable to adopt the child.
For the purpose of satisfying itself whether the adoption order, if made, will be for the welfare of the child under subsection (1)(b), the court is to give due consideration to the wishes of the child, having regard to the age and maturity of the child.
Terms defined in s 2
applicant
Defined · s 2“applicant” means an individual who makes an adoption application, whether solely or jointly, and for the purposes of Part 2, includes an individual who intends to make an adoption application; and
applicants
Defined · s 2“applicants” means both applicants in the case of a joint adoption application mentioned in section 4;
child
Defined · s 2“child”, if age rather than descendancy is relevant, means an individual below 21 years of age;
court
Defined · s 2“court” means the Family Division of the High Court, a Family Court, or any court hearing an appeal against an order or a decision of the Family Division of the High Court or a Family Court, except in sections 48, 51, 66, 69, 70, 72 and 73 where “court” means a court of competent jurisdiction;
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;
Spot a mistake in this text? Suggest a correction.
Part 4
Post-Adoption Matters
Part 5
Confidentiality of Children Involved in Adoption Proceedings
Part 6
Regulation of Adoption Practices and Processes
Part 7
Enforcement
Part 8
General Provisions
Part 9