Change of Name for Minors Declaration (ICA Singapore)

What is Change of Name for Minors declaration?

When a Singapore child or ward under 21 changes their name, the change is made through an online application to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). ICA's rule is that both birth parents' consent is sought for a minor's change of name. This declaration, addressed to the Commissioner of National Registration (for the NRIC) and/or the Controller of Immigration (for the passport), is how a single applying parent or legal guardian explains their position: that they are the sole parent or guardian, that the other parent has consented, that a court order allows them to act alone, or that the other parent has died without appointing a guardian.

ICA's instructions say that if only one parent or legal guardian consents, they should submit an Order of Court empowering them to change the minor's particulars unilaterally in the online application where possible, or else send a copy of the Order of Court with this completed declaration to the IC Unit's enquiry form after the application has been submitted. The form has no edition date printed on it; FileIt uses the updated version ICA published as of September 2026.

FileIt helps you fill the declaration in plain English and prints your answers onto ICA's own PDF, ticking the right boxes and writing the names in the table. The child's current name can be pre-filled from their People record in your FileIt vault, and the finished PDF is saved in their folder. Because the declaration is not witnessed or sworn and goes to ICA online, you can sign it by hand or send it for e-signature. FileIt does not send it to ICA; you upload it yourself.

Who fills it: The father, mother or legal guardian applying to change the name of a child under 21
Given to: ICA — sent to the IC Unit through its online enquiry form after the online change-of-name application
When: When only one parent or legal guardian is applying for a minor's change of name
Signatures: The declarant (the applying parent or guardian) signs and dates it; no witness is required on the form
Goes with: A copy of the Order of Court, where the declarant relies on one
Edition: Updated declaration (no edition date printed; retrieved September 2026)

Who needs to fill out Change of Name for Minors declaration?

A parent changing a child's name (for example after a divorce or remarriage) who has an Order of Court allowing them to change the child's particulars on their own.
A parent or legal guardian who is the child's only parent or guardian.
A parent whose former spouse or partner has died without appointing a legal guardian for the child.
A parent applying alone whose co-parent knows about the change and has consented to it.
A legal guardian — including a testamentary guardian or someone given custody by the court — changing the name of a ward under 21.
Parents changing a child's ethnic name as well as, or instead of, the name in English letters.

When to use Change of Name for Minors declaration

After you have made the online application to change the child's name, when ICA's instructions call for the declaration because only one parent or guardian is applying.
When the name change affects the child's NRIC, the passport, or both — the declaration is addressed to the Commissioner of National Registration and the Controller of Immigration.
Once you have a copy of any Order of Court you are relying on, since it is sent with the declaration.
While the child is under 21 — the form is specifically for minors under 21 years old.

What you need before you start

The child's or ward's current (original) name and the new (amended) name, spelled exactly.
The child's original and amended ethnic name, if the ethnic name is changing.
The child's IC number.
Your own full name, IC number and a contact number.
The other parent's or legal guardian's name and ID number, if there is one.
A copy of the Order of Court, if you are relying on one to change the child's particulars on your own.
Any documents supporting the change itself that the online application asks for.

What’s on Change of Name for Minors declaration

The 2026 edition has 2 pages. FileIt asks for it in 3 parts, and it is signed by Parent / legal guardian:

Section A: Particulars of the minor and request for change in nameChild / ward
Section B: Applicant's particulars and contact detailsParent / legal guardian
Section C: Declarations to the Commissioner of National Registration and/or Controller of ImmigrationParent / legal guardian

How to fill out Change of Name for Minors declaration, step by step

1 Section A: Particulars of the minor and request for change in name

A small table with the child's or ward's original name and amended name, and the original and amended ethnic name. Fill in the names exactly as they are now and as they should become. If only the ethnic name is changing, leave the amended name empty, and the other way round.

FileIt prints in Latin letters only. If the child's ethnic name is written in Chinese characters, Tamil or Jawi, leave those boxes empty in FileIt and write the name by hand on the printed form. Under the table, give the child's IC number.

2 Section B: Applicant's particulars and contact details

Your name, IC number and contact number as the parent or guardian making the declaration. ICA may use it to contact you about the application.

3 Section C, declaration A: who you are

Tick one box to declare that you are the father, the mother or the legal guardian of the child listed in Section A.

4 Section C, declaration B: the other parent

Tick whether you are the sole parent or legal guardian, or whether the child has another parent or legal guardian. If there is another, tick one of three reasons: they know about the application and have consented to the change; you have an Order of Court empowering you to change the child's particulars unilaterally; or they are no longer alive and did not appoint a legal guardian for the child.

Then give the other parent's or guardian's name and ID number. Send a copy of the court order with the declaration if you rely on one.

5 Affirmation, declaration and signature

The shaded box on page 2 is what you sign up to: that the child has no other parent or legal guardian than those named, and that everything is true, accurate and complete. It explains that 'legal guardian' includes a testamentary guardian appointed under section 7 of the Guardianship of Infants Act and anyone appointed by a court or granted custody by an Order of Court. Giving false or misleading information can lead to prosecution under the Immigration Act, the Passports Act and/or the Penal Code. Sign on the 'Signature of Declarant' line and date it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Ticking 'sole parent' when the child has another living parent — the affirmation covers this, and a false declaration can be prosecuted.
Ticking the court-order box but not sending a copy of the Order of Court.
Spelling the amended name differently from the online application.
Leaving the other parent's name empty after declaring the child has another parent or guardian.
Typing an ethnic name in Chinese characters into a system that prints Latin letters only — write it by hand instead.
Using this declaration for a child aged 21 or over; it is only for minors under 21.

After you fill it out

Sign and date the declaration, by hand or with an e-signature, and keep the Order of Court copy ready if you rely on one. Then send the declaration and any court order copy to ICA's IC Unit through its online enquiry form, after the online change-of-name application has been submitted, as ICA's instructions describe. FileIt does not submit anything to ICA.

ICA reviews the application with the declaration and will tell you what happens next, including any replacement of the child's NRIC or passport in the new name. If travel is coming up, allow for the passport change.

Keep the signed declaration and the court order in the child's folder in your FileIt vault, next to the new documents when they arrive. They are often asked for again, for example when updating school, bank or medical records.

Fill out Change of Name for Minors declaration online with FileIt

Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 14 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault. Sign it, or send it for e-signature.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Change of Name for Minors declaration now — it’s free

Change of Name for Minors declaration: frequently asked questions

Can I fill in the ICA change of name for minors declaration online?

Yes. FileIt lets you fill it in online for free and prints your answers onto ICA's official PDF. You then sign it and send it to ICA yourself.

Where do I send the declaration?

According to ICA, to the IC Unit's enquiry form, after the online change-of-name application has been submitted, together with a copy of the Order of Court where you rely on one. FileIt does not send it for you.

Do both parents need to agree to change a child's name in Singapore?

ICA's rule is that both birth parents' consent is sought for a minor's change of name. If only one parent consents, ICA asks for an Order of Court empowering that parent to change the child's particulars unilaterally.

Does the declaration need a witness or a commissioner for oaths?

The form has no witness or oath section: only the declarant signs and dates it. It is still a formal declaration, and false or misleading information can lead to prosecution.

Can I sign it electronically?

Because it is sent to ICA online and is not witnessed, FileIt offers e-signature for the declarant. You can also print it and sign by hand.

Can FileIt print my child's Chinese name?

No. FileIt prints Latin letters only. Write an ethnic name in Chinese characters, Tamil or Jawi on the printed form by hand.

What counts as a legal guardian?

The form says it includes any testamentary guardian appointed under section 7 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, and any person appointed guardian by a court or granted custody of the minor by an Order of Court.

Is this form for adults changing their name?

No. It is only for minors under 21 years old. Adults apply to change their own name separately.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA): https://www.ica.gov.sg/docs/default-source/ica/forms/declaration---change-of-name-for-minors-updated(under-21-years-old).pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.ica.gov.sg/documents/ic/update_particulars
Edition shown on this page: Declaration - change of name for minors (updated) (no edition date printed; retrieved September 2026) (checked 2026-09-25).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-25.