Can I choose the citizenship of my child?

Hi!, I am a Singaporean woman married to a foreigner. I was reading about the citizenship law in Singapore and am a bit confused with the information from different years.

I would like to skip taking the SG citizenship, because we plan to move out of Singapore permanently after the baby is born.

When I read the law, the SG citizenship is automatically given to Singaporean women, if they are married to a Singapore citizen as well.

Does this mean that, since my husband is foreign, we can forgo SG citizenship and just apply for his nationality’s citizenship?

I just want to know if the SG citizenship would be automatically granted to my baby or not. If you know this, thanks in advance!

Netizens’ comments

Hi! i’m in the exact same situation as you. you’re right, the information out there is vague and not exactly helpful. but my husband and i want to move back to his home country within the next few years as well.

I have emailed ICA and they got back to me swiftly saying that if I am Singaporean and my baby is born in Singapore, there is no option to opt out of Singapore CitizenshipThey also advised that renounciation of Singaporean Citizenship can only be done when the child turns 21 years old (i.e. after doing NS). hope this helps! our plan is to deliver overseas.

My spouse is foreign and my two boys hold dial citizenship. ( SG+Foreign) Until they turn 21 and only after completion of NS can they give up one or the other citizenship. In the event that you for whatever reason decides to comes back to SG and if your son does not have Singaporean citizenship. Then it will be more expensive to go to school as he won’t be able to easily enroll in local schools. And of cos he will have to come in on a dependent pass which is not an issue usually. As your child is a boy. I would suggest you give it a serious consideration whether you want him to take up SG citizenship…cos the complication that comes with NS liability. If it’s a girl…then no issues..just register and take the baby bonus and other incentives. In my case as I am living in SG and no intention to relocate. ….I suppose I don’t have much of a choice….good luck