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Greater Flexibility with Implementation of Double-Barrelled Race Option from 1 January 2011
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races.
2. This change, first announced in Parliament on 12 January 2010, gives parents who are of different races further flexibility and choice to decide how their child’s race should be recorded. Couples of inter-ethnic marriages now have the additional option to reflect both their races for their child as a double-barrelled race. This is on top of the existing options of choosing only one of the two different races – either that of the father or the mother – for their child. For example, if one parent is “Chinese” and the other is “Indian”, the child’s race may be recorded as “Chinese”, “Indian”, “Chinese-Indian”, or “Indian-Chinese”. The registration of the double-barrelled race will be limited to only two components, i.e. one hyphenation.
3. For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race. For the presentation of statistics, the current way of presenting the published race statistics will be maintained and will be based on the first component of the double-barrelled race.
4. Details on the policy and registration procedures can be found on ICA’s website at www.ica.gov.sg.
5. This added flexibility of registering a double-barrelled race is in line with the Government’s continual review of its policies in recognition of evolving societal changes. In this instance, we recognise that with the increasing number of inter-ethnic marriages in Singapore; the diversity of Singapore’s racial demographics has accordingly also increased.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010
General Information on Double-Barrelled Race Option
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. Singaporeans born before 1 January 2011 to parents of different races may request for a change from a singular to double-barrelled race if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Declaring or changing one’s race is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering doing so, you will need to carefully deliberate the impact and implications of the change.
We set out below some general information on the implementation of the double-barrelled race registration. If you have further queries, you may contact the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at [email protected]
NEWBORN REGISTRATION
Eligibility
A child born on or after 1 January 2011 to parents of different races will be eligible to register for a double-barrelled race during birth registration.
Registration Venue
Registry of Births and Deaths, Citizen Services Centre, level 3, ICA building
All maternity hospitals in Singapore
Documents Required
Notification of live birth;
Original marriage certificate of the parents;
NRIC of parents if both are Singapore citizens. If one parent is not a citizen, he/she should produce his/her passport and proof of legal stay in Singapore; and
Authorisation letter from the parents if the informant is not the newborn child’s parents.
Processing Time
Within the same working day.
Fees
Birth registration fee of S$18.
[Some hospitals may charge an additional administrative fee on top of the birth registration fee]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE
Parents who wish to register a double-barrelled race for their child should take note of the following:
For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race.
If both parents are each registered with a double-barrelled race and wish to register a double-barrelled race for their child, the first component race of the child must be taken from the first component race of either parent. For example, if one spouse is Malay-Chinese and the other is Indian-Thai, the first component race for the child can only be Malay or Indian.
All siblings should have the same recorded race.
- Parents will be asked to indicate the race of their first-born child when registering the race of their subsequent children. In cases where their first-born child/children were born before 1 January 2011, parents will be allowed to register a double-barrelled race for their subsequent children so long as parents apply to change the race of their children born before 1 Jan 2011 to a double-barrelled race.
- Once the parents have registered a child with a double-barrelled race on or after 1 January 2011, any subsequent children will have to follow the same race. If the situation requires for a change of race, all siblings must change their race together. This would not be necessary for siblings 21 years of age and above. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
A Singaporean is allowed to change his race twice; once before the age of 21 and once at or after the age of 21.
REQUEST FOR CHANGE TO DOUBLE-BARRELLED RACE
Eligibility
With effect from 1 January 2011, Singapore citizens born to parents of different races may request for a change from singular to a double-barrelled race if they have not changed their race previously. Singapore citizens who changed their race once before 21 years of age, and are 21 years of age or above, will also be eligible.
Venue
All requests for change to a double-barrelled race must be submitted in person to the Citizen Services Centre at level 3 of the ICA building.
Documents Required
For Singaporeans below the age of 21:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant if applicant is an NRIC holder;
(c) Original identity cards of parents;
(d) Parents’ original marriage certificate or divorce certificate;
(e) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC/Birth Certificate; and
(f) The parents will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to give consent to allow their child/children under 21 years of age to change their race and undertake that their child/children will not change their race again.
For Singaporeans aged 21 and above:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant;
(c) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC/ Birth Certificate; and
(d) The applicant will have to execute a Statutory Declaration stating their reason(s) for the change and undertaking not to change his/her race again.
Statutory Declaration
A Statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts which is signed by the person making the statement and which is solemnly declared to be true before a court, a judicial officer or a Commissioner for Oaths. ICA officers at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building are Commissioners for Oaths. There is no monetary charge to make a Statutory Declaration at the ICA Building. A Statutory Declaration in Singapore must be in the prescribed form set out in the First Schedule of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211).
Processing Time
The processing time is two months. Some cases may take a longer time to process. The applicant will be notified by post once the request to change to a double-barrelled race is approved.
Fees
ICA does not impose a fee to process the change to a double-barrelled race. However, if the request is approved, the applicant will be required to pay the requisite fees for the issuance of an identity card which reflects the new race. The cost of changing the NRIC is S$60. If the applicant has children born in Singapore, the official documents which bear the applicant’s previously recorded race (such as his children’s birth certificates) will have to be replaced.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE
Singaporeans who wish to register a double-barrelled race should take note of the following:
For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used.
The first component race must be taken from the first component race of the parents if both parents are registered with a double-barrelled race. For example, if one spouse is Malay-Chinese and the other is Indian-Thai, the first component race for their child can only be Malay or Indian.
A Singaporean is allowed to change his race twice, once before the age of 21 and once at or after the age of 21.
If one person (under 21 years of age) requires a change of race, all the person’s siblings (who are under 21) must change their race together. This does not apply to persons who are 21 years of age and above.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010
Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs)
Double-Barrelled Race Option for Birth Registration
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. Singaporeans born before 1 January 2011 to parents of different races may request for a change from a singular to double-barrelled race if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Declaring or changing one’s race is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering doing so, you will need to carefully deliberate the impact and implications of the change.
Some frequently-asked-questions on the implementation of the double-barrelled race option for birth registration are answered below. If you have further queries, you may contact the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at [email protected]
Q1: Why is the option of a double-barrelled race allowed? When did it start? Who is eligible?
A1: With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singapore citizens. This option gives parents, who are of different races, further flexibility and choice to decide how their child’s race can be recorded.
This added flexibility of registering a double-barrelled race is in line with the Government’s continual review of its policies in recognition of evolving societal changes. In this instance, we recognise that with the increasing number of inter-ethnic marriages in Singapore; the diversity of Singapore’s racial demographics has accordingly also increased.
Q2: My spouse and I are of different races. How many race options are available for my newborn child when I register his/her birth?
A2: The race of your child can follow that of the father, mother or an acceptable mixed race. With the introduction of the double-barrelled race option, the race of the child can now also be registered to comprise the father’s and mother’s race. The following are examples of how a child’s race may be recorded.
Example 1: If the father is Indian and the mother is Malay, the race of the child may be recorded as Indian, Malay, Indian-Malay or Malay-Indian.
Example 2: If the father is German and the mother is Chinese, the race of the child may be recorded as German, Chinese, Eurasian, German-Chinese or Chinese-German.
Q3: Can we register a double-barrelled race for my newborn child at the hospital?
A3: Yes, you can register your child with a double-barrelled race at any of the maternity hospitals during birth registration or at the Registry of Births and Deaths at the ICA building.
Q4: My spouse and I are each registered with a double-barrelled race and we wish to register a double-barrelled race for our child. What are the race options available for our child?
A4: Your child can take any two of the four race components of the parents, but your child’s first component race must be taken from the first component race of either parent. Your child’s double-barrelled race will be limited to two components with one hyphenation. The following are examples of how your child’s double-barrelled race may be recorded.
Example: If the father is Indian-Chinese and the mother is Malay-German, the child’s race may be recorded as Indian-Chinese (follow father’s race), Malay-German (follow mother’s race), Indian-Malay, Indian-German, Malay-Chinese or Malay-Indian (combination of father’s and mother’s first component race).
Q5: I am Malay-Chinese and my wife is Indian-Thai. Can I register my child’s double-barrelled race as Chinese-Indian or Thai-Malay?
A5: No, your child’s first component race must be taken from the first component race of either parent. Hence, in this example, the first component race for your child can only be Malay or Indian and cannot be Chinese or Thai.
Q6: I am Malay-Chinese and my wife is Indian-Thai. Can I register my child with singular race?
A6: Yes, you can register a singular race for your child but the race option must be taken from the first component of the father’s or mother’s race (i.e. the child can be registered as Malay or Indian).
Q7: I cannot decide on my child's race during birth registration. Can I leave this field empty and let my child decide for himself when he comes of age?
A7: You cannot leave this field empty. If you cannot decide on your child’s race during birth registration, ICA will provisionally record your child’s race to follow that of the father’s race.
Q8: I want to register a double-barrelled race for my newborn child. What documents are required?
A8: The same set of documents required for birth registration should be produced:
(i) Notification of live birth;
(ii) Original marriage certificate of the parents;
(iii) NRIC of parents if both are Singapore citizens. If one parent is not a citizen, he/she should produce his/her passport and proof of legal stay in Singapore; and
(iv) Authorisation letter from the parents if the informant is not the newborn child’s parents.
ICA will register a double-barrelled race for the child based on proof of the parents’ race in their identity documents (i.e. the NRIC for Singaporeans).
Q9: How much does it cost to register a double-barrelled race for my child?
A9: There is no separate charge for registering a double-barrelled race for your child. The fee of S$18 for birth registration applies.
[Note: Some hospitals may impose an administrative fee for processing birth registration]
Q10: I noticed that the race of my child was not reflected in his birth certificate even though I registered him with a double-barrelled race. Can I still change his race to a singular race after birth registration?
A10: A child’s race is not reflected on his birth certificate but is provisionally recorded in the system when the parents register the child’s birth. Parents may request to change their child’s race once at any point in time before their child attains 21 years of age. If the change is effected after their child is registered with an identity card (on or after age 15), a fee will have to be paid for the re-issuance of an identity card to reflect the new race.
Q11: How many times is a Singapore citizen allowed to change his/her race?
A11: An individual is allowed to change his/her race twice: once before the age of 21, and once at or after the age of 21.
Q12: How does one go about changing his/her race? Is there a fee involved?
A12: A Singaporean may request in person to change his/her race at the Citizen Services Centre at the ICA building. For Singaporeans below 21 years of age, their parents will need to make a Statutory Declaration stating the reason(s) for changing the race of their child and affirming that they will not seek to change the race of their child again.
Singaporeans who are 21 years of age and above will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration stating the reason(s) for changing of race and affirming that he/she will not change the race again.
ICA does not charge a fee to effect a change to a double-barrelled race. However, in cases where the Singaporean is already an NRIC holder, he/she will need to apply for the change of race recorded in his/her NRIC at ICA. The prevailing procedures for change of particulars on NRIC will apply. The cost of changing the NRIC is S$60.
Q13: What is a Statutory Declaration?
A13: A Statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts which is signed by the person making the statement and which is solemnly declared to be true before a court, a judicial officer or a Commissioner for Oaths. ICA officers at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building are Commissioners for Oaths. There is no monetary charge to make a Statutory Declaration at the ICA Building. A Statutory Declaration in Singapore must be in the prescribed form set out in the First Schedule of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211).
Q14: Both parents will have to give consent to allow the child to change his/her race. What if the other parent has passed away or is not contactable to give consent?
A14: In the case where one parent has passed away, the surviving parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent has passed away. The death certificate should be furnished in support of the change request.
If one parent is not contactable despite reasonable efforts, the other parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent is not contactable. Where there are documents to support the claims that reasonable efforts have been expended to locate the other parent, these should be provided in support of the change request.
Q15: I registered my child with a double-barrelled race of Indian-Malay at birth but would like to switch the order to Malay-Indian now that he is 11 years of age. Is this considered a change?
A15: Yes, this is considered a race change request. The request will also be treated as one count of race change application.
Q16: I registered my child with a double-barrelled race with the first component race following his father’s. I am now separated from my husband and wish to change the race of my child to follow mine. What must I do?
A16: If your child is below 21 years of age, the consent of both parents is required before the child’s race can be changed. Both parents must execute a Statutory Declaration to effect the change. If your child is already an NRIC holder, the change of race recorded on the NRIC will have to be applied for at the ICA building. The prevailing procedures for change of particulars on NRIC will apply. The cost of changing the NRIC is S$60.
Q17: Can my child follow his maternal/paternal grandparents’ race?
A17: No. The race of a Singaporean child can follow that of the child’s father, mother or an acceptable mixed race if his parents are of different races. If a Singaporean is eligible to register for a double-barrelled race, it must be based on the parents’ officially recorded race.
Q18: Would a Singaporean registered with a double-barrelled race enjoy more benefits as compared to those who are registered with singular race?
A18: Singaporeans who are registered with a double-barrelled race do not enjoy more benefits as compared to those with a singular race. For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, only the first component race of a double-barrelled race will be considered. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race.
Q19: The administration of the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) is determined by the first component race of the double-barrelled race. Can Singaporeans with a double-barrelled race change their first component race to facilitate their flat application?
A19: HDB will only recognise the records registered with the ICA in the administration of the EIP. Those with a double-barrelled race who wish to make changes to their race must comply with ICA’s requirements on such changes. Details on the policy and registration procedures can be found on ICA’s website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q20: Both my spouse and I are of different races and my child’s race had previously been amended when he was 11 years of age to follow that of the mother’s race instead of the father’s. Now that our child is 18 years of age, can we change our child’s race to a double-barrelled race?
A20: No. An individual is allowed to change his/her race only once before the age of 21. When your child reaches 21 years of age, he/she can apply to change his/her race one more time.
Q21: Both my spouse and I are of different races and we would like to register our newborn with a double-barrelled race. However, our newborn has a three-year-old brother whose race follows that of the father, who has a singular race. Can my newborn register a double-barrelled race while his brother keeps his singular race?
A21: All siblings should have the same recorded race.
- Parents will be asked to indicate the race of their first-born child when registering the race of their subsequent children. In cases where their first-born child/children were born before 1 January 2011, parents will be allowed to register a double-barrelled race for their subsequent children so long as parents apply to change the race of their children born before 1 Jan 2011 to a double-barrelled race.
- Once the parents have registered a child with a double-barrelled race on or after 1 January 2011, any subsequent children will have to follow the same race. If the situation requires for a change of race, all siblings must change their race together. This would not be necessary for siblings 21 years of age and above. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010
Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs)
Double-Barrelled Race Option for NRIC Registration
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. Singaporeans born before 1 January 2011 to parents of different races may request for a change from a singular to double-barrelled race if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Declaring or changing one’s race is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering doing so, you will need to carefully deliberate the impact and implications of the change.
Some frequently-asked-questions on the implementation of the double-barrelled race option for NRIC registration are answered below. If you have further queries, you may contact the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at [email protected]
Q1: My child was registered as a Eurasian at birth and we would like to change that to a double-barrelled race when he registers for his NRIC at 15 years of age. What are the documents required? What is the processing time? Do I need to pay a fee?
A1: If your child is eligible to register for a double-barrelled race, parents must submit a request in person at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3, ICA building. The following documents will be required for NRIC registration at 15 years of age:
(a) Parents’ original NRIC. If the parents are divorced, only the NRIC of the parent who has sole legal custody of the child needs to be produced;
(b) Child’s original birth certificate and citizenship certificate (if any);
(c) Parents’ original marriage certificate or divorce certificate (if any); and
(d) One recent passport-sized photograph of the child.
The following documents are required to process the request for a change from singular to double-barrelled race:
(a) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC/Birth Certificate; and
(b) The parents will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to give consent to allow their child/children under 21 years of age to change their race and undertake that their child/children will not change their race again.
Alternatively, parents can submit their child’s race change request, which must be accompanied by the relevant documents including the notarised Statutory Declarations, to the ICA through the Ministry of Education at the child’s school . The request will be subsequently processed at the ICA.
The processing time for a request to change race is two months. There is no fee for processing the change to a double-barrelled race but once the request is approved, the change will be reflected on your child’s identity card. A fee of S$10 is payable for the issuance of the identity card.
Q2: What is a Statutory Declaration?
A2: A Statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts which is signed by the person making the statement and which is solemnly declared to be true before a court, a judicial officer or a Commissioner for Oaths. ICA officers at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building are Commissioners for Oaths. There is no monetary charge to make a Statutory Declaration at the ICA Building. A Statutory Declaration in Singapore must be in the prescribed form set out in the First Schedule of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211).
Q3: Can my child request to change to a double-barrelled race during the NRIC registration at school when he is 15 years of age?
A3: The request must be made in person and processed at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building.
Alternatively, parents can submit their child’s race change request, which must be accompanied by the relevant documents including the notarised Statutory Declarations, to the ICA through the Ministry of Education at the child’s school1. The request will be subsequently processed at the ICA.
Q4: My child’s race was registered as Malay (following his father’s race) at birth registration. He will be applying for a double-barrelled race in the coming NRIC registration when he is 15 years of age to reflect his Chinese heritage (i.e. to Malay-Chinese). Is this considered as one count of change?
A4: The request to adopt the double-barrelled race will be treated as one count of race change application.
Q5: My child’s race was registered as Indian-Chinese at birth registration. We would like to switch the order to Chinese-Indian now that he is 12 years of age. Is this considered as one count of change?
A5: The request to switch the order of the double-barrelled race will be treated as one count of race change application.
Q6: Both parents will have to give consent to allow their children under 21 years of age to change their race from singular to double-barrelled. What if one parent has passed away or not contactable to give consent?
A6: In the case where one parent has passed away, the surviving parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent has passed away. The death certificate should be furnished in support of the change request.
If one parent is not contactable despite reasonable efforts, the other parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent is not contactable. Where there are documents to support the claims that reasonable efforts have been expended to locate the other parent, these should be provided in support of the change request.
Q7: If parents, with children under 21 years of age, are divorced, must the consent of both parents be obtained before a race change can be executed for their children?
A7: Yes. Both parents must execute a Statutory Declaration to give consent to allow their children under 21 years of age to change their race.
Q8: If parents, with children under 21 years of age, are divorced and one parent is currently residing overseas, must the consent of both parents be obtained before a race change can be made?
A8: Yes. The consent of both parents must be sought before the race of their children under 21 years of age can be changed. However, if the parent residing overseas cannot be contacted despite reasonable efforts, the other parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration giving consent to the change and indicating that the other parent is not contactable.
Q9: If parents, with children under 21 years of age, are separated but not divorced, must the consent of both parents be obtained before a race change for their children can be made?
A9: Yes. Both parents must execute a Statutory Declaration giving consent to allow their children under 21 years of age to change their race.
Q10: My father is Indian and my mother is Chinese. My elder brother is 19 years of age while my elder sister is 17 years of age. The race on my siblings’ NRIC is registered as Indian. I am 15 years of age and will be registering for my NRIC. Can I change my race from Indian to Indian-Chinese?
A10: Your parents will need to execute a Statutory Declaration giving consent to allow you to change your race. In addition, your siblings are required to change their race to Indian-Chinese together with you.
Q11: I am reaching 30 years of age and will be required to re-register for my NRIC. Can I re-register online, together with a request to change my singular race to a double-barrelled one?
A11: No. NRIC registrants who request to change their race will need to submit their request personally at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3 of the ICA building. They will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration and undertake not to change their race again.
Q12: I am required to re-register for my NRIC at age 30. If I wish to change to a double-barrelled race so that this can be reflected on my new identity card, what documents must I submit to request for the change? What is the processing time? Do I have to pay a fee?
A12: If you fulfill the conditions to change to a double-barrelled race, you may submit a request in person at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3 of the ICA building. The following documents are required for NRIC re-registration:
(a) Applicant’s original NRIC; and
(b) One recent passport-sized photograph of applicant.
The following documents are required to process the request for a change from singular to a double-barrelled race:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant;
(c) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC; and
(d) The applicant will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to state the reason(s) for requesting for the change and undertake that he/she will not change his/her race again.
The processing time for request to change race is two months. There is no fee for processing the change of race request but once the request is approved, the change will be reflected on the applicant’s identity card. A fee of S$10 is payable for the issuance of the identity card.
Q13: I am a Permanent Resident holding a blue identity card. Can I request to have double-barrelled race reflected on my NRIC?
A13: Currently, only Singapore citizens are eligible to register for a double-barrelled race in their NRIC.
Q14: The double-barrelled race on my NRIC is not printed in full. Why is this so?
A14: If the double-barrelled race to be recorded exceeds the maximum number of characters that can be printed on the NRIC, one or both of the race descriptions would be abbreviated.
Q15: I would like to change the particulars in my NRIC to include my married name. Can I submit a request to change to a double-barrelled race at the same time? What is the processing time? Do I have to pay a fee?
A15: If you fulfill the condition to change to a double-barrelled race, you may submit a request in person to change the race, together with your request to change the other particulars in your NRIC. The request should be made at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3 of the ICA building.
The following documents are required to process your request for inclusion of married name:
(a) Applicant’s original NRIC;
(b) One recent passport-sized photograph; and
(c) Original and a copy of the marriage certificate.
The following documents are required to process the request for a change from singular to double-barrelled race:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant;
(c) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC; and
(d) The applicant will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to state the reason(s) for requesting for the change and undertake that he/she will not change his/her race again.
The processing time for request to change race is two months. There is no fee for processing the change of race request but once the request is approved, the applicant is required to change the particulars in his/her NRIC. A fee of S$60 is payable for the issuance of the identity card with the inclusion of the new name and changed race.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010
2. This change, first announced in Parliament on 12 January 2010, gives parents who are of different races further flexibility and choice to decide how their child’s race should be recorded. Couples of inter-ethnic marriages now have the additional option to reflect both their races for their child as a double-barrelled race. This is on top of the existing options of choosing only one of the two different races – either that of the father or the mother – for their child. For example, if one parent is “Chinese” and the other is “Indian”, the child’s race may be recorded as “Chinese”, “Indian”, “Chinese-Indian”, or “Indian-Chinese”. The registration of the double-barrelled race will be limited to only two components, i.e. one hyphenation.
3. For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race. For the presentation of statistics, the current way of presenting the published race statistics will be maintained and will be based on the first component of the double-barrelled race.
4. Details on the policy and registration procedures can be found on ICA’s website at www.ica.gov.sg.
5. This added flexibility of registering a double-barrelled race is in line with the Government’s continual review of its policies in recognition of evolving societal changes. In this instance, we recognise that with the increasing number of inter-ethnic marriages in Singapore; the diversity of Singapore’s racial demographics has accordingly also increased.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010
General Information on Double-Barrelled Race Option
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. Singaporeans born before 1 January 2011 to parents of different races may request for a change from a singular to double-barrelled race if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Declaring or changing one’s race is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering doing so, you will need to carefully deliberate the impact and implications of the change.
We set out below some general information on the implementation of the double-barrelled race registration. If you have further queries, you may contact the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at [email protected]
NEWBORN REGISTRATION
Eligibility
A child born on or after 1 January 2011 to parents of different races will be eligible to register for a double-barrelled race during birth registration.
Registration Venue
Registry of Births and Deaths, Citizen Services Centre, level 3, ICA building
All maternity hospitals in Singapore
Documents Required
Notification of live birth;
Original marriage certificate of the parents;
NRIC of parents if both are Singapore citizens. If one parent is not a citizen, he/she should produce his/her passport and proof of legal stay in Singapore; and
Authorisation letter from the parents if the informant is not the newborn child’s parents.
Processing Time
Within the same working day.
Fees
Birth registration fee of S$18.
[Some hospitals may charge an additional administrative fee on top of the birth registration fee]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE
Parents who wish to register a double-barrelled race for their child should take note of the following:
For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race.
If both parents are each registered with a double-barrelled race and wish to register a double-barrelled race for their child, the first component race of the child must be taken from the first component race of either parent. For example, if one spouse is Malay-Chinese and the other is Indian-Thai, the first component race for the child can only be Malay or Indian.
All siblings should have the same recorded race.
- Parents will be asked to indicate the race of their first-born child when registering the race of their subsequent children. In cases where their first-born child/children were born before 1 January 2011, parents will be allowed to register a double-barrelled race for their subsequent children so long as parents apply to change the race of their children born before 1 Jan 2011 to a double-barrelled race.
- Once the parents have registered a child with a double-barrelled race on or after 1 January 2011, any subsequent children will have to follow the same race. If the situation requires for a change of race, all siblings must change their race together. This would not be necessary for siblings 21 years of age and above. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
A Singaporean is allowed to change his race twice; once before the age of 21 and once at or after the age of 21.
REQUEST FOR CHANGE TO DOUBLE-BARRELLED RACE
Eligibility
With effect from 1 January 2011, Singapore citizens born to parents of different races may request for a change from singular to a double-barrelled race if they have not changed their race previously. Singapore citizens who changed their race once before 21 years of age, and are 21 years of age or above, will also be eligible.
Venue
All requests for change to a double-barrelled race must be submitted in person to the Citizen Services Centre at level 3 of the ICA building.
Documents Required
For Singaporeans below the age of 21:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant if applicant is an NRIC holder;
(c) Original identity cards of parents;
(d) Parents’ original marriage certificate or divorce certificate;
(e) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC/Birth Certificate; and
(f) The parents will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to give consent to allow their child/children under 21 years of age to change their race and undertake that their child/children will not change their race again.
For Singaporeans aged 21 and above:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant;
(c) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC/ Birth Certificate; and
(d) The applicant will have to execute a Statutory Declaration stating their reason(s) for the change and undertaking not to change his/her race again.
Statutory Declaration
A Statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts which is signed by the person making the statement and which is solemnly declared to be true before a court, a judicial officer or a Commissioner for Oaths. ICA officers at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building are Commissioners for Oaths. There is no monetary charge to make a Statutory Declaration at the ICA Building. A Statutory Declaration in Singapore must be in the prescribed form set out in the First Schedule of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211).
Processing Time
The processing time is two months. Some cases may take a longer time to process. The applicant will be notified by post once the request to change to a double-barrelled race is approved.
Fees
ICA does not impose a fee to process the change to a double-barrelled race. However, if the request is approved, the applicant will be required to pay the requisite fees for the issuance of an identity card which reflects the new race. The cost of changing the NRIC is S$60. If the applicant has children born in Singapore, the official documents which bear the applicant’s previously recorded race (such as his children’s birth certificates) will have to be replaced.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE
Singaporeans who wish to register a double-barrelled race should take note of the following:
For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used.
The first component race must be taken from the first component race of the parents if both parents are registered with a double-barrelled race. For example, if one spouse is Malay-Chinese and the other is Indian-Thai, the first component race for their child can only be Malay or Indian.
A Singaporean is allowed to change his race twice, once before the age of 21 and once at or after the age of 21.
If one person (under 21 years of age) requires a change of race, all the person’s siblings (who are under 21) must change their race together. This does not apply to persons who are 21 years of age and above.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010
Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs)
Double-Barrelled Race Option for Birth Registration
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. Singaporeans born before 1 January 2011 to parents of different races may request for a change from a singular to double-barrelled race if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Declaring or changing one’s race is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering doing so, you will need to carefully deliberate the impact and implications of the change.
Some frequently-asked-questions on the implementation of the double-barrelled race option for birth registration are answered below. If you have further queries, you may contact the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at [email protected]
Q1: Why is the option of a double-barrelled race allowed? When did it start? Who is eligible?
A1: With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singapore citizens. This option gives parents, who are of different races, further flexibility and choice to decide how their child’s race can be recorded.
This added flexibility of registering a double-barrelled race is in line with the Government’s continual review of its policies in recognition of evolving societal changes. In this instance, we recognise that with the increasing number of inter-ethnic marriages in Singapore; the diversity of Singapore’s racial demographics has accordingly also increased.
Q2: My spouse and I are of different races. How many race options are available for my newborn child when I register his/her birth?
A2: The race of your child can follow that of the father, mother or an acceptable mixed race. With the introduction of the double-barrelled race option, the race of the child can now also be registered to comprise the father’s and mother’s race. The following are examples of how a child’s race may be recorded.
Example 1: If the father is Indian and the mother is Malay, the race of the child may be recorded as Indian, Malay, Indian-Malay or Malay-Indian.
Example 2: If the father is German and the mother is Chinese, the race of the child may be recorded as German, Chinese, Eurasian, German-Chinese or Chinese-German.
Q3: Can we register a double-barrelled race for my newborn child at the hospital?
A3: Yes, you can register your child with a double-barrelled race at any of the maternity hospitals during birth registration or at the Registry of Births and Deaths at the ICA building.
Q4: My spouse and I are each registered with a double-barrelled race and we wish to register a double-barrelled race for our child. What are the race options available for our child?
A4: Your child can take any two of the four race components of the parents, but your child’s first component race must be taken from the first component race of either parent. Your child’s double-barrelled race will be limited to two components with one hyphenation. The following are examples of how your child’s double-barrelled race may be recorded.
Example: If the father is Indian-Chinese and the mother is Malay-German, the child’s race may be recorded as Indian-Chinese (follow father’s race), Malay-German (follow mother’s race), Indian-Malay, Indian-German, Malay-Chinese or Malay-Indian (combination of father’s and mother’s first component race).
Q5: I am Malay-Chinese and my wife is Indian-Thai. Can I register my child’s double-barrelled race as Chinese-Indian or Thai-Malay?
A5: No, your child’s first component race must be taken from the first component race of either parent. Hence, in this example, the first component race for your child can only be Malay or Indian and cannot be Chinese or Thai.
Q6: I am Malay-Chinese and my wife is Indian-Thai. Can I register my child with singular race?
A6: Yes, you can register a singular race for your child but the race option must be taken from the first component of the father’s or mother’s race (i.e. the child can be registered as Malay or Indian).
Q7: I cannot decide on my child's race during birth registration. Can I leave this field empty and let my child decide for himself when he comes of age?
A7: You cannot leave this field empty. If you cannot decide on your child’s race during birth registration, ICA will provisionally record your child’s race to follow that of the father’s race.
Q8: I want to register a double-barrelled race for my newborn child. What documents are required?
A8: The same set of documents required for birth registration should be produced:
(i) Notification of live birth;
(ii) Original marriage certificate of the parents;
(iii) NRIC of parents if both are Singapore citizens. If one parent is not a citizen, he/she should produce his/her passport and proof of legal stay in Singapore; and
(iv) Authorisation letter from the parents if the informant is not the newborn child’s parents.
ICA will register a double-barrelled race for the child based on proof of the parents’ race in their identity documents (i.e. the NRIC for Singaporeans).
Q9: How much does it cost to register a double-barrelled race for my child?
A9: There is no separate charge for registering a double-barrelled race for your child. The fee of S$18 for birth registration applies.
[Note: Some hospitals may impose an administrative fee for processing birth registration]
Q10: I noticed that the race of my child was not reflected in his birth certificate even though I registered him with a double-barrelled race. Can I still change his race to a singular race after birth registration?
A10: A child’s race is not reflected on his birth certificate but is provisionally recorded in the system when the parents register the child’s birth. Parents may request to change their child’s race once at any point in time before their child attains 21 years of age. If the change is effected after their child is registered with an identity card (on or after age 15), a fee will have to be paid for the re-issuance of an identity card to reflect the new race.
Q11: How many times is a Singapore citizen allowed to change his/her race?
A11: An individual is allowed to change his/her race twice: once before the age of 21, and once at or after the age of 21.
Q12: How does one go about changing his/her race? Is there a fee involved?
A12: A Singaporean may request in person to change his/her race at the Citizen Services Centre at the ICA building. For Singaporeans below 21 years of age, their parents will need to make a Statutory Declaration stating the reason(s) for changing the race of their child and affirming that they will not seek to change the race of their child again.
Singaporeans who are 21 years of age and above will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration stating the reason(s) for changing of race and affirming that he/she will not change the race again.
ICA does not charge a fee to effect a change to a double-barrelled race. However, in cases where the Singaporean is already an NRIC holder, he/she will need to apply for the change of race recorded in his/her NRIC at ICA. The prevailing procedures for change of particulars on NRIC will apply. The cost of changing the NRIC is S$60.
Q13: What is a Statutory Declaration?
A13: A Statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts which is signed by the person making the statement and which is solemnly declared to be true before a court, a judicial officer or a Commissioner for Oaths. ICA officers at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building are Commissioners for Oaths. There is no monetary charge to make a Statutory Declaration at the ICA Building. A Statutory Declaration in Singapore must be in the prescribed form set out in the First Schedule of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211).
Q14: Both parents will have to give consent to allow the child to change his/her race. What if the other parent has passed away or is not contactable to give consent?
A14: In the case where one parent has passed away, the surviving parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent has passed away. The death certificate should be furnished in support of the change request.
If one parent is not contactable despite reasonable efforts, the other parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent is not contactable. Where there are documents to support the claims that reasonable efforts have been expended to locate the other parent, these should be provided in support of the change request.
Q15: I registered my child with a double-barrelled race of Indian-Malay at birth but would like to switch the order to Malay-Indian now that he is 11 years of age. Is this considered a change?
A15: Yes, this is considered a race change request. The request will also be treated as one count of race change application.
Q16: I registered my child with a double-barrelled race with the first component race following his father’s. I am now separated from my husband and wish to change the race of my child to follow mine. What must I do?
A16: If your child is below 21 years of age, the consent of both parents is required before the child’s race can be changed. Both parents must execute a Statutory Declaration to effect the change. If your child is already an NRIC holder, the change of race recorded on the NRIC will have to be applied for at the ICA building. The prevailing procedures for change of particulars on NRIC will apply. The cost of changing the NRIC is S$60.
Q17: Can my child follow his maternal/paternal grandparents’ race?
A17: No. The race of a Singaporean child can follow that of the child’s father, mother or an acceptable mixed race if his parents are of different races. If a Singaporean is eligible to register for a double-barrelled race, it must be based on the parents’ officially recorded race.
Q18: Would a Singaporean registered with a double-barrelled race enjoy more benefits as compared to those who are registered with singular race?
A18: Singaporeans who are registered with a double-barrelled race do not enjoy more benefits as compared to those with a singular race. For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, only the first component race of a double-barrelled race will be considered. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race.
Q19: The administration of the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) is determined by the first component race of the double-barrelled race. Can Singaporeans with a double-barrelled race change their first component race to facilitate their flat application?
A19: HDB will only recognise the records registered with the ICA in the administration of the EIP. Those with a double-barrelled race who wish to make changes to their race must comply with ICA’s requirements on such changes. Details on the policy and registration procedures can be found on ICA’s website at www.ica.gov.sg.
Q20: Both my spouse and I are of different races and my child’s race had previously been amended when he was 11 years of age to follow that of the mother’s race instead of the father’s. Now that our child is 18 years of age, can we change our child’s race to a double-barrelled race?
A20: No. An individual is allowed to change his/her race only once before the age of 21. When your child reaches 21 years of age, he/she can apply to change his/her race one more time.
Q21: Both my spouse and I are of different races and we would like to register our newborn with a double-barrelled race. However, our newborn has a three-year-old brother whose race follows that of the father, who has a singular race. Can my newborn register a double-barrelled race while his brother keeps his singular race?
A21: All siblings should have the same recorded race.
- Parents will be asked to indicate the race of their first-born child when registering the race of their subsequent children. In cases where their first-born child/children were born before 1 January 2011, parents will be allowed to register a double-barrelled race for their subsequent children so long as parents apply to change the race of their children born before 1 Jan 2011 to a double-barrelled race.
- Once the parents have registered a child with a double-barrelled race on or after 1 January 2011, any subsequent children will have to follow the same race. If the situation requires for a change of race, all siblings must change their race together. This would not be necessary for siblings 21 years of age and above. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010
Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs)
Double-Barrelled Race Option for NRIC Registration
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. Singaporeans born before 1 January 2011 to parents of different races may request for a change from a singular to double-barrelled race if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Declaring or changing one’s race is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are considering doing so, you will need to carefully deliberate the impact and implications of the change.
Some frequently-asked-questions on the implementation of the double-barrelled race option for NRIC registration are answered below. If you have further queries, you may contact the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at [email protected]
Q1: My child was registered as a Eurasian at birth and we would like to change that to a double-barrelled race when he registers for his NRIC at 15 years of age. What are the documents required? What is the processing time? Do I need to pay a fee?
A1: If your child is eligible to register for a double-barrelled race, parents must submit a request in person at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3, ICA building. The following documents will be required for NRIC registration at 15 years of age:
(a) Parents’ original NRIC. If the parents are divorced, only the NRIC of the parent who has sole legal custody of the child needs to be produced;
(b) Child’s original birth certificate and citizenship certificate (if any);
(c) Parents’ original marriage certificate or divorce certificate (if any); and
(d) One recent passport-sized photograph of the child.
The following documents are required to process the request for a change from singular to double-barrelled race:
(a) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC/Birth Certificate; and
(b) The parents will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to give consent to allow their child/children under 21 years of age to change their race and undertake that their child/children will not change their race again.
Alternatively, parents can submit their child’s race change request, which must be accompanied by the relevant documents including the notarised Statutory Declarations, to the ICA through the Ministry of Education at the child’s school . The request will be subsequently processed at the ICA.
The processing time for a request to change race is two months. There is no fee for processing the change to a double-barrelled race but once the request is approved, the change will be reflected on your child’s identity card. A fee of S$10 is payable for the issuance of the identity card.
Q2: What is a Statutory Declaration?
A2: A Statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts which is signed by the person making the statement and which is solemnly declared to be true before a court, a judicial officer or a Commissioner for Oaths. ICA officers at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building are Commissioners for Oaths. There is no monetary charge to make a Statutory Declaration at the ICA Building. A Statutory Declaration in Singapore must be in the prescribed form set out in the First Schedule of the Oaths and Declarations Act (Cap 211).
Q3: Can my child request to change to a double-barrelled race during the NRIC registration at school when he is 15 years of age?
A3: The request must be made in person and processed at the Citizen Services Centre of the ICA building.
Alternatively, parents can submit their child’s race change request, which must be accompanied by the relevant documents including the notarised Statutory Declarations, to the ICA through the Ministry of Education at the child’s school1. The request will be subsequently processed at the ICA.
Q4: My child’s race was registered as Malay (following his father’s race) at birth registration. He will be applying for a double-barrelled race in the coming NRIC registration when he is 15 years of age to reflect his Chinese heritage (i.e. to Malay-Chinese). Is this considered as one count of change?
A4: The request to adopt the double-barrelled race will be treated as one count of race change application.
Q5: My child’s race was registered as Indian-Chinese at birth registration. We would like to switch the order to Chinese-Indian now that he is 12 years of age. Is this considered as one count of change?
A5: The request to switch the order of the double-barrelled race will be treated as one count of race change application.
Q6: Both parents will have to give consent to allow their children under 21 years of age to change their race from singular to double-barrelled. What if one parent has passed away or not contactable to give consent?
A6: In the case where one parent has passed away, the surviving parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent has passed away. The death certificate should be furnished in support of the change request.
If one parent is not contactable despite reasonable efforts, the other parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration, giving consent and indicating that the other parent is not contactable. Where there are documents to support the claims that reasonable efforts have been expended to locate the other parent, these should be provided in support of the change request.
Q7: If parents, with children under 21 years of age, are divorced, must the consent of both parents be obtained before a race change can be executed for their children?
A7: Yes. Both parents must execute a Statutory Declaration to give consent to allow their children under 21 years of age to change their race.
Q8: If parents, with children under 21 years of age, are divorced and one parent is currently residing overseas, must the consent of both parents be obtained before a race change can be made?
A8: Yes. The consent of both parents must be sought before the race of their children under 21 years of age can be changed. However, if the parent residing overseas cannot be contacted despite reasonable efforts, the other parent will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration giving consent to the change and indicating that the other parent is not contactable.
Q9: If parents, with children under 21 years of age, are separated but not divorced, must the consent of both parents be obtained before a race change for their children can be made?
A9: Yes. Both parents must execute a Statutory Declaration giving consent to allow their children under 21 years of age to change their race.
Q10: My father is Indian and my mother is Chinese. My elder brother is 19 years of age while my elder sister is 17 years of age. The race on my siblings’ NRIC is registered as Indian. I am 15 years of age and will be registering for my NRIC. Can I change my race from Indian to Indian-Chinese?
A10: Your parents will need to execute a Statutory Declaration giving consent to allow you to change your race. In addition, your siblings are required to change their race to Indian-Chinese together with you.
Q11: I am reaching 30 years of age and will be required to re-register for my NRIC. Can I re-register online, together with a request to change my singular race to a double-barrelled one?
A11: No. NRIC registrants who request to change their race will need to submit their request personally at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3 of the ICA building. They will be required to execute a Statutory Declaration and undertake not to change their race again.
Q12: I am required to re-register for my NRIC at age 30. If I wish to change to a double-barrelled race so that this can be reflected on my new identity card, what documents must I submit to request for the change? What is the processing time? Do I have to pay a fee?
A12: If you fulfill the conditions to change to a double-barrelled race, you may submit a request in person at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3 of the ICA building. The following documents are required for NRIC re-registration:
(a) Applicant’s original NRIC; and
(b) One recent passport-sized photograph of applicant.
The following documents are required to process the request for a change from singular to a double-barrelled race:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant;
(c) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC; and
(d) The applicant will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to state the reason(s) for requesting for the change and undertake that he/she will not change his/her race again.
The processing time for request to change race is two months. There is no fee for processing the change of race request but once the request is approved, the change will be reflected on the applicant’s identity card. A fee of S$10 is payable for the issuance of the identity card.
Q13: I am a Permanent Resident holding a blue identity card. Can I request to have double-barrelled race reflected on my NRIC?
A13: Currently, only Singapore citizens are eligible to register for a double-barrelled race in their NRIC.
Q14: The double-barrelled race on my NRIC is not printed in full. Why is this so?
A14: If the double-barrelled race to be recorded exceeds the maximum number of characters that can be printed on the NRIC, one or both of the race descriptions would be abbreviated.
Q15: I would like to change the particulars in my NRIC to include my married name. Can I submit a request to change to a double-barrelled race at the same time? What is the processing time? Do I have to pay a fee?
A15: If you fulfill the condition to change to a double-barrelled race, you may submit a request in person to change the race, together with your request to change the other particulars in your NRIC. The request should be made at the Citizen Services Centre, level 3 of the ICA building.
The following documents are required to process your request for inclusion of married name:
(a) Applicant’s original NRIC;
(b) One recent passport-sized photograph; and
(c) Original and a copy of the marriage certificate.
The following documents are required to process the request for a change from singular to double-barrelled race:
(a) Original birth certificate of the applicant;
(b) Original identity card of the applicant;
(c) Photocopies of all other siblings’ NRIC; and
(d) The applicant will have to execute a Statutory Declaration to state the reason(s) for requesting for the change and undertake that he/she will not change his/her race again.
The processing time for request to change race is two months. There is no fee for processing the change of race request but once the request is approved, the applicant is required to change the particulars in his/her NRIC. A fee of S$60 is payable for the issuance of the identity card with the inclusion of the new name and changed race.
THE IMMIGRATION AND CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 DECEMBER 2010