Baby Bonus eligibility criteria

If your child was granted Singapore citizenship after birth, they’re eligible for Baby Bonus:

• full benefits if at least 1 parent was a Singapore citizen at the time of birth.
• pro-rated benefits if neither parent was a citizen at the time of birth. The amount will depend on when the child becomes a citizen.

Your child must obtain Singapore citizenship before they turn 12 years old. You can apply for Singapore citizenship through ICA’s website.

Once they’ve obtained citizenship, you can apply for the Baby Bonus Scheme by 31 December of the year they turn 12. You might be asked to provide:

• Both parents’ NRIC or passport
• Marriage certificate
• Child’s foreign birth certificate

Refer to the situations where supporting documents are required for more details.

An adopted child may be eligible for the Baby Bonus Scheme if they:

• were a Singapore citizen at birth and adopted before turning 12, or
• obtained Singapore citizenship before turning 12

The child must be adopted by parents who were lawfully married at the time of adoption.

If your adopted child was born before 13 July 2015 and obtained citizenship after adoption, they may receive pro-rated benefits.

Applying for an adopted child

Please submit a new Baby Bonus application even if your child was already enrolled before adoption.

If your child was already enrolled:

• The existing CDA will remain open.
• The parent submitting the application will be updated as the CDA trustee.
• A new CSA will be opened with the same bank as the CDA.

If you would like to change banks, you can only do so after you’ve successfully registered the CDA and CSA under your name.

For UOB accounts, only Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents can be the CDA trustee and CSA joint account holder.

Supporting documents required for overseas adopted child

• Adoption order and schedule
• Child’s birth certificate
• Foreigner parent’s passport biodata page or Malaysian ID (if applicable)

The Baby Bonus Scheme is part of the government’s Marriage & Parenthood (M&P) Package. Parents must be lawfully married to qualify for the Baby Bonus Cash Gift.

However, Singapore citizen children born on or after 1 September 2016 to single parents who have never been married are eligible for Child Development Account (CDA) benefits. These include the CDA First Step Grant and Government co-matching, up to the eligible cap. 

Visit the Made For Families website for more details on other benefits available to all Singapore citizen children.

If you applied for Baby Bonus after 15 December the year your child turns 12:

• The Child Development Account (CDA) and Child Savings Account (CSA) will not be opened for
  your child.
• CDA benefits will be transferred into your child’s Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA).
• Baby Bonus Cash Gift will be paid into your nominated bank account.

Child passed away before enrolment into the Baby Bonus Scheme

If your child was eligible for Baby Bonus benefits, you’ll still be able to apply for the Baby Bonus Scheme through the LifeSG website or app.

• You’ll receive the Baby Bonus Cash Gift credited into the bank account nominated by you.
• The Child Development Account (CDA) First Step Grant will be transferred to the Public Trustee for distribution under the Intestate Succession Act or Syariah Law.

If you encounter any issues enrolling your child, please email msf_babybonus@msf.gov.sg for assistance.

Child passed away after enrolment into the Baby Bonus Scheme

Any remaining Baby Bonus Cash Gift will be paid in 1 lump sum into the CSA.

If your child has a CDA:

• Government co-matching will stop after the date of passing.
• the CDA will be closed within 2 months. Funds will be transferred to the Public Trustee for distribution under the Intestate Succession Act or Syariah Law.

Child passed away after Baby Bonus enrolment but before opening CDA and CSA

Please email msf_babybonus@msf.gov.sg with your nominated bank account number to receive the Baby Bonus Cash Gift. The Child Development Account (CDA) First Step Grant will be transferred to the Public Trustee for distribution under the Intestate Succession Act or Syariah Law.