Registering a birth in Singapore and getting your baby's Dependant's Pass
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
Every birth in Singapore must be registered on LifeSG within 42 days, whatever the parents' status, for a fee of SGD 18; you then download a digital birth certificate. A non-citizen baby holds a Special Pass for 42 days from birth. Work pass holders should register within 14 days, get the baby's passport, and have the employer apply for a Dependant's Pass within 6 weeks.
The deadlines at a glance
| Step | Deadline (as of October 2026) | Who says so |
|---|---|---|
| Register the birth on LifeSG | Within 42 days of birth (legal deadline) | ICA |
| Register the birth, if you will need a Dependant's Pass | Within 14 calendar days (MOM's advice, to leave time for the rest) | MOM |
| Download the digital birth certificate | Within 90 days of the notification | ICA |
| Special Pass of a non-citizen newborn | 42 days from birth | ICA |
| Baby's passport and Dependant's Pass application | Within 6 weeks of birth | MOM |
| Outcome of an online Dependant's Pass application | Within 3 weeks for most cases | MOM |
Step 1: register the birth on LifeSG
Everyone registers online. ICA states that "all parents of newborns, regardless of their immigration or marital status, are required to register their child's birth online via LifeSG". Since 29 May 2022, in-person registration at hospitals and at the ICA Building has stopped, and no paper certificate is collected (KKH and ICA).
Singpass. Parents who are Singapore citizens, permanent residents or long-term pass (FIN) holders log in with Singpass. Test it on your phone before the due date.
Fee. SGD 18, for the registration and the digital birth certificate, paid by credit or debit card or PayNow when you register.
Documents. ICA says you may be prompted to provide documents such as the parents' local or overseas marriage certificate. Keep a scan ready, translated into English if needed.
Deadline and penalty. ICA: "All births in Singapore must be registered within 42 days from the date of birth." Failing to provide the particulars in time is an offence under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, with a possible fine and/or imprisonment.
The name
ICA says the ethnic name is optional, and that parents can change the child's name online before the child turns one year old, for a prescribed fee. Before you register, check your home country's rules on names and spelling: the name on the Singapore certificate and on your baby's passport must match, letter for letter.
Step 2: download the digital birth certificate
ICA sends a digital notification shortly after a successful registration, or within 3 working days if the case needs more checks. You then download the certificate through ICA's e-Service within 90 days. Save it in two places and print copies: your embassy, your employer, MOM and your insurer will ask for it.
Step 3: understand the Special Pass
If your baby is not a Singapore citizen at birth (being born in Singapore does not on its own make a child a citizen), ICA states your baby "shall be deemed to be issued with a special pass" valid for 42 days from birth. With the birth certificate you receive an ICA advisory note, which MOM describes as the notice that a Special Pass allows your newborn to stay for 42 days from the date of birth.
MOM is direct about the consequence: "Any delay beyond 42 days from your child's birth is an offence under the Immigration Act." Your baby needs a valid immigration pass from day 43.
Step 4: your baby's passport
ICA asks parents of a non-citizen child to apply for a passport "from the Embassy or High Commission of your nationality/citizenship". Embassies have their own rules. Before the birth, find out:
Step 5: the Dependant's Pass
Who can sponsor
MOM lists the requirements for the parent: hold an Employment Pass or S Pass, earn a minimum fixed monthly salary of SGD 6,000 (the pass holder's salary, not household income), and be sponsored by an established Singapore-registered company, usually the employer. A Dependant's Pass can be issued for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21, including legally adopted children.
How it works for a newborn
- Your employer applies on the myMOM Portal, within 6 weeks of the birth. MOM says online applications are faster, with an outcome within 3 weeks for most cases.
- If the passport is not ready, upload proof of the passport application (for example, a letter from the embassy). The passport must be ready before the pass can be issued.
- If you hold ICA's advisory note and the passport is not ready by the end of 6 weeks, you can request an extension of the Special Pass, but MOM says to submit it only when the advisory note expires within 7 days.
- If your baby holds a Special Pass issued by MOM, you do not need to extend it: MOM says it is auto-extended for 28 days if the Dependant's Pass is not ready yet, with an SMS the day before expiry.
- If the application is unsuccessful, MOM says the baby must leave Singapore before the Special Pass expires, or you must ask ICA for an extension of stay.
If a Dependant's Pass is not possible
If you do not intend to apply for a Dependant's Pass, MOM says you need to apply to ICA for a visit pass or to extend the Special Pass, and suggests contacting ICA first. MOM's Long-Term Visit Pass page lists family members who may qualify for that pass instead, including a common-law spouse and unmarried step-children under 21. Holders of other passes (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass, EntrePass) have their own dependant rules on MOM's website.
If one parent is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident
Ask ICA to confirm your baby's status at registration: a Singapore citizen baby does not need a Special Pass or a Dependant's Pass, and your leave rules change (see maternity leave). For children of permanent residents, ICA's PR page lists an "unmarried child aged below 21 born within the context of a legal marriage to, or have been legally adopted by a Singapore citizen or PR" among those who may apply, sponsored by the parent through Singpass, with processing within 6 months if documents are in order and a fee of SGD 100 per application. Your baby still needs a valid pass while the application is processed: plan it with ICA.
Your 6-week plan
| When | What | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Before the birth | Embassy rules checked; Singpass tested; marriage certificate scanned; HR knows who files the Dependant's Pass | |
| Days 1 to 14 | Birth registered on LifeSG; SGD 18 paid | |
| As soon as notified | Digital birth certificate and advisory note downloaded | |
| Week 2 or 3 | Passport application at the embassy | |
| By week 6 | Dependant's Pass application filed by the employer on myMOM | |
| Last 7 days of the advisory note | Special Pass extension requested, only if still needed | |
| When approved | Passport ready; pass issued |
For the partner
This is often the partner's job while the mother recovers. Put day 14, day 42 and the 6-week mark in both your calendars before the birth, and keep the passports, the marriage certificate and the embassy forms in one folder.
Going further
Our Singapore guide turns these steps into a printable plan, with an embassy checklist, the citizenship and PR questions, and what to do in special situations (unmarried parents, premature birth, a baby in the neonatal unit). All the steps on this page are complete and free.
Questions parents ask
How many days do I have to register a birth in Singapore?
42 days from the date of birth. ICA says not providing the birth particulars within 42 days is an offence under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act.
How much does birth registration cost in Singapore?
ICA lists a fee of SGD 18 for the birth registration and the digital birth certificate, paid by credit or debit card or PayNow on LifeSG.
When must I apply for my newborn's Dependant's Pass?
MOM asks Employment Pass and S Pass holders to get a passport for the baby and apply for the Dependant's Pass within 6 weeks of birth. Staying beyond 42 days from birth without a valid pass is an offence under the Immigration Act.
Do unmarried parents register the birth differently?
No. ICA says all parents must register on LifeSG regardless of their immigration or marital status. You may be asked for a marriage certificate if you are married.
Sources
- ICA — Register birth and download digital birth certificate checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Getting a Dependant's Pass for a newborn checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Eligibility for Dependant's Pass checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Eligibility for Long-Term Visit Pass checked October 13, 2026
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital — Birth registration checked October 13, 2026
- ICA — Singapore permanent residence, applying checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.