Ethnic name for child
The inclusion of ethnic name is optional. Parents have the option to include ethnic characters of the child’s name in Chinese (中文名), Jawi (ﻨﺎﻢ ﺠﺎﻮﻱ) or Tamil (தமிழ் பெயர்), if either parent is of Chinese, Malay or
Indian origin. The parents must ensure the accuracy of the ethnic characters provided and found in a recognised dictionary.
Hanyu Pinyin name
The inclusion of hanyu pinyin name is optional. Parents have the option to include a hanyu pinyin name for their child if either parent is of Chinese race. The hanyu pinyin name will be included in brackets and must be accompanied by the corresponding Chinese ethnic character name. Appended is an example of how the child’s name, with Chinese character and hanyu pinyin name, will be displayed in the digital birth certificate:
Name: Isaac Tan (Chen Xiao Ming) 陈小明 |
If the hanyu pinyin name is included in the birth certificate, it will also automatically be reflected in the name on the child’s passport.
Race of the child
The race of a child can follow that of either parent, or an acceptable mixed race if the child's parents are of different races. A child who is a Singapore citizen is also eligible to have a double-barrelled race comprising both parents’ races.
All siblings of the child who are below 21 years old from the same set of parents should have the same race.
Alteration of child’s name
Should parents wish to alter their child’s name after the birth has been registered, they may apply at ICA in person before the child turns one year old with a prescribed fee.
Regularisation of stay for a child who is not a Singapore citizen
A child who is not a Singapore citizen at the time of birth shall be deemed to be issued with a special pass valid for 42 days from the date of birth for the child to remain in Singapore. You can check the expiry of the Special Pass in the Advisory Note
issued together with your child’s digital birth certificate.
If your child is not a Singapore citizen, you must ensure that your child has a valid immigration pass for the child to remain in Singapore beyond the 42nd day
from the child’s birth:
Visit ICA Visitor Services Centre at ICA Building (Level 4) to renew the child's special pass or apply for a visit pass.
For work pass holders with dependant privileges, visit MOM website for more details.