Home Study Report (HSR)

From 1 February 2005, anyone who wishes to adopt a foreign child (i.e. a child who is not a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident) must complete an HSR by MCYS' accredited agencies. This must be done prior to starting the adoption process (i.e. before searching for a suitable child or initiating legal adoption proceedings).

A home study is conducted by professional social service staff from voluntary welfare organisations accredited by MCYS. It is a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the adoption and the applicants' family situations. It also assesses the applicants' eligibility and suitability to adopt a child whose best interest must be safeguarded. The child has the right to be provided with the basic needs required for his/her physical and psychosocial developments. A report will be furnished to the applicants upon completion.

An HSR costs $900, which is subject to change from time to time. For details of the fees, please check with the individual accredited agencies. An HSR completed on or after 1 Apr 2010 is valid for two years. Each HSR should only be used for one adoption. Adopters who would like to adopt a second child within the 2-year validity period should obtain an update of their circumstances with the accredited agencies and be assessed as ready for a second adoption. Upon expiry of the 2-year period, the prospective adopter has to undergo a fresh home study if the adopter has not identified a child. The same will apply if the adopter would like to adopt a second child after the expiry of the HSR. 

Who has to do a Home Study Report

Prospective adopters who want to adopt a foreign child, a child under MCYS fostering scheme or a child from Project Cherub (a voluntary welfare organisation that provides pregnancy crisis services), must have a valid Home Study Report first. 

When to bring the foreign child into Singapore

With effect from 15 Aug 2006, all prospective adoptive parents are required to sign the 'Statement by Applicants of Home Study Reports' as required by MCYS, stating that they do not have the child with them during home study stage. Click here to download the statement. This measure is to safeguard the prospective adoptive parents' and the child's interests in the event that the Home Study Report is not favourable. If the child is with the prospective adoptive parents during or before the home study, the child will have to be repatriated at the prospective adoptive parents' expense before they can be registered for a Home Study Report. When the prospective adoptive parents obtain a favourable Home Study report, they can apply to obtain an in-principle approval for a Dependant's Pass from MCYS to bring the foreign child into Singapore.

Accredited Agencies

Six agencies have been accredited by MCYS to conduct Home Study Reports:

• Fei Yue Community Services

• MacPherson Moral Family Service Centre

• Singapore American Community Action Council (for expatriates only)

• Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre
• The SBL Vision Family Service Centre
• TOUCH Family Services Limited

Click here for the contact details of the Accredited Agencies.

In addition to conducting Home Study Reports, these agencies may also offer prospective adoptive parents other administrative services related to the adoption process, at additional charges. Details and country requirements for Home Study Reports are included after the Accredited Agency listing.

Countries that Require a Home Study Report
Screening of Newborns for Defects
Laboratory Tests


Countries that Require a Home Study Report:

From 1 February 2005, anyone who wishes to adopt a foreign child (i.e. a child who is not a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident) must complete a Home Study Report by the MCYS' accredited agencies. This is applicable for adoptions from all countries and must be done prior to starting the adoption process (i.e. before searching for a suitable child or initiating legal adoption proceedings).

Prospective adoptive parents who wish to adopt children from some countries such as India, the People's Republic of China, Philippines and Thailand would also be requested by the adoption authorities in these countries to forward them a Home Study Report, furnished by an accredited agency in Singapore. Currently only 2 accredited agencies, TOUCH Family Services Limited and Fei Yue Community Services, assist with Home Study Report assessments for children from the People's Republic of China.

Some of the adoption authorities in these countries may also require supervision reports to be prepared periodically after the child is brought into Singapore and until the child is legally adopted in Singapore.  The supervision report investigates the bonding and relationship between the child and the adopters.


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Screening of Newborns for Defects:

Newborns are screened through a Physical Examination and Laboratory Tests.
Physical Examination:

Diseases Screened for:	Abnormalities to Look for:
Congenital heart Disease	Abnormal heart rate, heart sound and murmur
Congenital Infectious Tumours	Hepatosplenomegaly, renal mass and other abdominal mass felt by palpation
Sexual Abnormality	Hepatosplenomegaly, renal mass and other abdominal mass felt by palpation
Abnormality of Limbs	Abnormal posture of limbs, number and proportion, tone, movements
Microcephaly	Head circumference below average (<3 percentile)
Hydrocephaly	Head circumference above average (>97 percentile)
Abnormal Congenital Syndromes
Hearing
Vision and Squint
Growth Measurements
Skeletal Deformities