By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
A baby born in Singapore to foreign parents is not automatically a Singapore citizen and needs its own pass. Register the birth online through LifeSG within 42 days; MOM advises doing it within 14 days, to leave time for the rest. The birth certificate comes with a 42-day Special Pass. In that time, get the baby a passport from your embassy, and have your employer apply for a Dependant’s Pass. Staying beyond 42 days without a pass is an offence.
New parents have enough to think about without an immigration deadline, but this one matters. The good news is that the steps are simple and mostly online. The trick is to start the passport as soon as the birth certificate arrives.
A new baby: quick facts
| Register the birth | Online through LifeSG, within 42 days by law; MOM advises within 14 days |
| Birth certificate | Digital; download it from ICA’s e-Service within 90 days of notification |
| Baby’s stay | A Special Pass for 42 days from birth, noted on ICA’s advisory |
| Passport | From your country’s embassy or high commission |
| Pass | A Dependant’s Pass, applied for by the employer of an eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holder |
| Running late | You can ask to extend the Special Pass if the passport is not ready |
The WahLiao Verdict
| The deadline | 42 days from birth for the baby to hold a valid pass. |
| Do first | Register the birth early, then go straight to your embassy for the passport. |
| Who applies | Your employer, for the Dependant’s Pass, usually within three weeks. |
| If delayed | Extend the Special Pass rather than let it lapse. |
| Worth knowing | Citizenship depends on the parents’ status, not the place of birth. |
Step 1: Register the birth
All births in Singapore must be registered within 42 days, and parents register online through LifeSG. MOM advises foreign parents to do it within 14 days, because the passport and pass must also fit inside the 42 days. Most registrations are confirmed quickly; you then download the digital birth certificate from ICA’s e-Service within 90 days.
Step 2: The Special Pass and the passport
With the birth certificate, ICA issues an advisory note granting the baby a Special Pass to stay for 42 days from birth. Use that time to apply for the baby’s passport at your country’s embassy or high commission. Each embassy sets its own process and timing, so contact it before the birth if you can.
Step 3: The Dependant’s Pass
If you hold an Employment Pass or S Pass and qualify to bring family, your employer applies for a Dependant’s Pass for the baby through MOM’s portal; most online applications get an outcome within three weeks. If the passport is not ready, the application can go in with proof that you have applied for one, and the Special Pass can be extended. The pass can only be issued once the passport is ready. Bringing your family explains the salary rules.
Having a baby: FAQ
Is a baby born in Singapore a Singapore citizen?
Not automatically. Citizenship depends on the parents’ status; a baby born to two foreign parents is a foreigner and needs a pass.
How long do I have to register a birth in Singapore?
42 days by law. MOM advises foreign parents to register within 14 days to leave time for the passport and pass.
How long can my baby stay in Singapore without a pass?
The baby has a 42-day Special Pass from birth. Staying beyond that without a valid pass is an offence, so apply for the Dependant’s Pass or extend the Special Pass in time.
Who applies for my baby’s Dependant’s Pass?
Your employer, through MOM’s portal, if you are an eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holder.
Read next
This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. For costs, see healthcare and insurance; for the years ahead, preschool and childcare.
Sources checked 29 September 2026: ICA, register a birth and download the digital birth certificate; MOM, getting a Dependant’s Pass for a newborn. General information, not immigration advice. Last updated 29 September 2026.
