Registration of Births and Deaths Act 2021

• Act Code: RBDA2021
• Version as at: 4 Jul 2026
• Enacted by: Parliament

Section 1 — Short title and commencement

This Act is the Registration of Births and Deaths Act 2021 and comes into operation on a date that the Minister appoints by notification in the Gazette.

Section 2 — Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —“authorised registration officer” means a registration officer authorised by the Registrar‑General to exercise all or any of the powers of an authorised registration officer mentioned

Section 3 — Registrar‑General of Births and Deaths

(1) The Minister must appoint, from among public officers, a Registrar‑General of Births and Deaths.(2) The Registrar‑General is responsible for the administration of this Act. (3) The Minister may give the Registrar‑General directions of a

Section 4 — Registrars, deputies and assistants

(1) The Registrar‑General may appoint, by name or office, any number of public officers to be Registrars, Supervising Deputy Registrars and Assistant Registrars as the Registrar‑General considers necessary for the purposes of this Act.(2) A

Section 5 — Registration officers

(1) The Registrar‑General may, for the purposes of this Act, appoint, by name or office, any of the following persons to be a registration officer, subject to any condition or restriction the Registrar‑General specifies:(a) a public officer

Section 6 — Delegation to registration officers

(1) The Registrar‑General may delegate any function or power of the Registrar‑General under this Act (except the power of delegation conferred by this subsection) or any other written law to a registration officer or class of registration o

Section 7 — Report of birth in Singapore

(1) The birth of every child born in Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section.(2) The following persons are responsible for reporting the birth of a child in Singapore:(a) where the child is born in a hospital — every medi

Section 8 — Responsibility to provide birth particulars

(1) A responsible person for a child born in Singapore must provide to the Registrar‑General —(a) the birth particulars for the child, within 42 days after the child’s birth; and (b) any information or evidence the Registrar‑General require

Section 9 — Registration of birth in Singapore

(1) The Registrar‑General must register the birth of a child born in Singapore, as soon as practicable after receiving the child’s birth particulars (whether from a responsible person mentioned in section 8(1) or any other person).[Act 2 of

Section 10 — Report of birth in aircraft, vessel or train bound for Singapore

(1) The birth of every child born in an aircraft, a vessel or a train (called in this section the conveyance) outside, but bound for, Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if —(a) the birth occurs —(i) in the case of an

Section 11 — Application of sections 12 and 13

Sections 12 and 13 apply to a child whose birth is required to be and is reported to the Registrar‑General under section 10.

Section 12 — Application for registration of birth mentioned in section 11

(1) A responsible person for a child mentioned in section 11 may apply to the Registrar‑General for the child’s birth to be registered.(2) The application by the responsible person (called in this section the applicant) under subsection (1)

Section 13 — Registration of birth mentioned in section 11

(1) The Registrar‑General may, on an application made under section 12, register the birth of a child mentioned in section 11 if —(a) the Registrar‑General is satisfied that the applicant mentioned in section 12 has complied with the requir

Section 14 — Registration or re‑registration of birth of adopted child

(1) Subject to subsection (3), if an adoption order is made by a court in respect of a child under the Adoption of Children Act 2022 or any corresponding previous written law, the Registrar‑General must, as soon as practicable after receivi

Section 15 — Re‑registration of birth of person legitimated by Legitimacy Act 1934

(1) This section applies to a person (called in this section the subject person) —(a) whose birth is registered under section 9 or 13 (or section 9, 17 or 23 of the repealed Act); and (b) who is legitimated by the Legitimacy Act 1934, on th

Section 16 — Birth registration and Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013

(1) If the Registrar‑General is informed at or before registration of a child’s birth under section 9 or 13 that the Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013 applies to the child, the particulars of the child’s parents

Section 17 — Re‑registration of birth in relation to Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013

(1) This section applies to a person (called in this section the subject person) —(a) to whom the Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013 applies; and (b) whose birth is registered under section 9 or 13 (or section 9,

Section 18 — Re‑registration of birth of person legitimated by Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013

(1) This section applies to a person (called in this section the subject person) —(a) whose birth is registered under section 9 or 13 (or section 9, 17 or 23 of the repealed Act), or re‑registered under section 17 (or rule 8A or 8B of the R

Section 19 — Name in register of births

(1) The name of a person to be entered in the register of births or, where the person’s name in the register is to be altered, the person’s altered name to be entered in the register —(a) must be in a form expressed in characters in the mod

Section 20 — Child’s name omitted during birth registration

(1) Where a child’s birth is registered without a name, a responsible person for the child may apply to the Registrar‑General for a name to be entered for the child in the register of births.(2) The responsible person (called in this sectio

Section 21 — Alteration of child’s name in register of births

(1) This section applies to a child whose name is entered in the register of births at the time of registration of the child’s birth, but does not affect any application for change of name under section 15(3), 17(3) or 18(3).(2) A responsib

Section 22 — Report of death in Singapore

(1) The death of every person who dies in Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if the death is not, or does not appear to be, a reportable death.(2) The following persons are responsible for reporting a death mentioned

Section 23 — Duties of medical practitioner who receives report of death under section 22(3)

(1) A medical practitioner who receives a report of a death under section 22(3) must, as soon as practicable —(a) examine the body of the deceased person; and (b) ascertain relevant information about the deceased person’s medical history an

Section 24 — Registration of death in Singapore

The Registrar‑General must register the death of a person in Singapore, as soon as practicable —(a) where section 23(2) applies — after receiving from a medical practitioner mentioned in that provision the cause of death and the other death

Section 25 — Registration of reportable death in Singapore without Coroner’s certificate

(1) Where the Registrar‑General is informed that a death has occurred in Singapore but that the body of the deceased person is destroyed, is not recoverable or cannot be located, the Registrar‑General may register the death before a Coroner

Section 26 — Report of death in aircraft, vessel or train bound for Singapore

(1) The death of every person who dies in an aircraft, a vessel or a train (called in this section the conveyance) outside, but bound for, Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if —(a) the death occurs —(i) in the case

Section 27 — Registration of death in conveyance reported under section 26

(1) A relative of a deceased person whose death is required to be and is reported under section 26 may apply to the Registrar‑General for the death to be registered.(2) The application by the relative (called in this section the applicant)

Section 28 — Registration of death of Singapore citizen or permanent resident outside Singapore

(1) Where a Singapore citizen or permanent resident dies outside Singapore and the body of the deceased person is brought to Singapore, a relative of the deceased person may apply to the Registrar‑General for the death to be registered.(2)

Section 29 — Registration of death under Coroner’s certificate

If a Coroner’s certificate is issued for a death that occurs outside Singapore (including a death mentioned in section 26 or 28), the Registrar‑General must register the death as soon as practicable after receiving the Coroner’s certificate

Section 30 — Coroner’s certificate issued after death registration

If the Registrar‑General receives a Coroner’s certificate for a death after the death has been registered, the Registrar‑General must, as soon as practicable after receiving the Coroner’s certificate —(a) where the death particulars stated

Section 31 — Duty to report death under other written law not affected

This Part does not affect the duty of any person to report a death under any other written law.

Section 32 — Report of stillbirth in Singapore

(1) The birth of every stillborn child in Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section.(2) The following persons are responsible for reporting the birth of a stillborn child in Singapore:(a) where the stillbirth occurs in a ho

Section 33 — Duties of medical practitioner who receives report of stillbirth under section 32(3)

(1) A medical practitioner who receives a report of a stillbirth under section 32(3) must —(a) examine the body of the child as soon as practicable to ascertain whether the child was stillborn; and (b) where the medical practitioner is sati

Section 34 — Registration of stillbirth in Singapore

The Registrar‑General must register the birth of a stillborn child in Singapore, as soon as practicable after receiving the cause of death and the other stillbirth particulars from a medical practitioner under section 33.

Section 35 — Report of stillbirth in aircraft, vessel or train bound for Singapore

(1) The birth of every stillborn child in an aircraft, a vessel or a train (called in this section the conveyance) outside, but bound for, Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if —(a) the stillbirth occurs —(i) in the

Section 36 — Registration of stillbirth in conveyance reported under section 35

(1) A parent of a stillborn child whose stillbirth is required to be and is reported under section 35 may apply to the Registrar‑General for the stillbirth to be registered.(2) The application by the parent (called in this section the appli

Section 37 — Registers

(1) The Registrar‑General must provide and maintain, in the form and manner that the Registrar‑General thinks fit, the following registers:(a) a register of births; (b) a register of deaths; (c) a register of stillbirths. (2) The registers

Section 38 — Alteration of record in register

(1) Any record of a registered event in a register must not be altered except as authorised by or under this Act.(2) A reference in this section to the alteration of a record of a registered event in a register includes a reference to the r

Section 39 — Correction of clerical error in record in register

(1) The Registrar‑General may correct any clerical error in any record in a register that the Registrar‑General discovers or is informed of.(2) A person informing the Registrar‑General of any clerical error in any record in a register must

Section 40 — Correction of error of fact or substance in record in register

(1) The Registrar‑General may correct an error of fact or substance in any record in the register of deaths —(a) in the case where the death registration is based on death particulars submitted by a medical practitioner under section 23(2)

Section 41 — Cancellation of registration

The Registrar‑General may cancel the registration of any birth, death or stillbirth if the Registrar‑General is satisfied that the registration has been —(a) obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any materia

Section 42 — Power to obtain information

(1) The Registrar‑General may, by written notice, require any person to provide, within the time specified in the notice, any information that the Registrar‑General requires for the purpose of —(a) ascertaining whether a registrable event h

Section 43 — Form and manner of information, etc.

(1) Any information, report, particulars or evidence required to be provided to the Registrar‑General, and any application or request to be made to the Registrar‑General, by or under any provision of this Act, or any other written law, must

Section 44 — Taking possession of false or invalid documents

The Registrar‑General may take possession of any document that is produced in connection with any of the following if the Registrar‑General reasonably suspects that the document is false or invalid:(a) reporting of a birth to the Registrar‑

Section 45 — Powers of search, etc.

(1) If an authorised registration officer reasonably suspects that any evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act is likely to be found in any premises, or in any vehicle, aircraft, vessel or train (called in this section the c

Section 46 — Powers of investigation

(1) For the purpose of investigating any offence or suspected offence under this Act, an authorised registration officer may do all or any of the following:(a) require, by written notice, any person, whom the authorised registration officer

Section 47 — Authorised registration officer to produce evidence of identity and authority

(1) When exercising any power under this Part, an authorised registration officer must, if so required by any person affected by the exercise of that power, produce to that person evidence of the officer’s identity and authority to exercise

Section 48 — False or misleading statement or information

A person who makes any statement, or provides any information, to the Registrar‑General or an authorised registration officer under this Act, that is false or misleading in a material particular —(a) knowing it to be false or misleading in

Section 49 — Offences relating to register

(1) A person who, without lawful authority —(a) makes, alters or deletes, or permits to be made, altered or deleted, any record (or any part of it) in a register; (b) obtains, or provides any person, access to a register (or any part of it)

Section 50 — Offences relating to certificates or extracts

A person who —(a) forges a document, purporting to be a birth certificate, death certificate or stillbirth certificate, or an extract from any record in a register; (b) alters, or otherwise tampers with, a birth certificate, death certifica

Section 51 — Obstruction

(1) A person commits an offence if the person, without reasonable excuse, obstructs or hinders the Registrar‑General or an authorised registration officer in the performance of any function or exercise of any power under this Act or any oth

Section 52 — Offences by corporations

(1) Where, in a proceeding for an offence under this Act, it is necessary to prove the state of mind of a corporation in relation to a particular conduct, evidence that —(a) an officer, employee or agent of the corporation engaged in that c

Section 53 — Offences by unincorporated associations or partnerships

(1) Where, in a proceeding for an offence under this Act, it is necessary to prove the state of mind of an unincorporated association or a partnership in relation to a particular conduct, evidence that —(a) an employee or agent of the uninc

Section 54 — Jurisdiction of courts

Despite the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, a District Court or a Magistrate’s Court has jurisdiction to try any offence under this Act and has power to impose the full punishment for any such offence.

Section 55 — Composition of offences

(1) The Registrar‑General may compound any offence under this Act that is prescribed as a compoundable offence by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding $500.(2) On payment of the s

Section 56 — Police officer’s functions or powers under other written law

To avoid doubt, this Act does not affect a police officer’s functions or powers under the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 or any other written law.

Section 57 — Authorisation to provide information, etc., on behalf of person

Any person who is unable, by reason of illness or other sufficient cause, to make a report, or provide any particulars, information or evidence, required by or under this Act may authorise another person to make the report, or provide the p

Section 58 — Payments into Consolidated Fund

All fees, charges and composition sums collected under this Act must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Section 59 — Service of documents

(1) A document that is permitted or required by this Act to be served on a person may be served as described in this section.(2) A document permitted or required by this Act to be served on an individual may be served —(a) by giving it to t

Section 60 — Exemption

The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, exempt any person or class of persons, or exclude any event or class of events, from all or any of the provisions of this Act, either generally or in a particular case and subject to any condition

Section 61 — Regulations

(1) The Minister may make regulations necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may make regulations for any of the following:(a) matters relatin

Section 62 — Repeal

The Registration of Births and Deaths Act (Cap. 267) is repealed.

Section 63 — Saving and transitional provisions

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, this Act extends to and applies in respect of —(a) a birth, death or stillbirth that is registered under the repealed Act, as if the birth, death or stillbirth (as the case may be) were registered

Section 64 — Amendment of Adoption of Children Act 1939

The Adoption of Children Act 1939 is amended —(a) by deleting subsection (1) of section 12 and substituting the following subsection:“(1) If an adoption order is made, the Registrar of the court that makes the adoption order must, as soon a

Section 65 — Amendment of Infectious Diseases Act 1976

Section 46(2) of the Infectious Diseases Act 1976 is amended by deleting the words “Registrar of Births and Deaths” and substituting the words “Registrar‑General of Births and Deaths”.

Section 66 — Amendment of Legitimacy Act 1934

The Legitimacy Act 1934 is amended —(a) by deleting subsection (4) of section 3; and (b) by repealing the Schedule.

Section 67 — Amendment of Merchant Shipping Act 1995

Section 91 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 is amended —(a) by deleting the words “Registrar of Births and Deaths” in subsection (2) and substituting the words “Registrar‑General of Births and Deaths”; and (b) by deleting subsections (3) a

Section 68 — Amendment of National Registration Act 1965

The National Registration Act 1965 is amended —(a) by deleting the word “gender” in sections 4(2)(a) and 6A(2)(b) and substituting in each case the word “sex”; and (b) by deleting subsection (3) of section 6A and substituting the following

Section 69 — Amendment of Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013

Section 12 of the Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013 is repealed.