The Adoption Registration Act 1952 (Act 253) (De Facto) is under the jurisdiction of the National Registration Department and applies only to Peninsular Malaysia. This Act seeks to register a De Facto adoptive child in which a child is in custody, being raised, borne and educated by a spouse or spouses jointly, as a child or their own child for a period of not less than two years before the adoption registration is made. This adoption is prescribed under Act 253 and applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims.

Application for De Facto Adoption can be made at NRD office (Peninsular Malaysia only) which is in proximity to the residence of a person or adoptive parent and adopted child.

1. Child Eligibility
   
   • Never married.
   • Aged under 18 and residing in Peninsular Malaysia.
   • Has been in custody, being raised, borne and educated by a person or spouses together, as a child or their own child for a period of not less than two years continuously before the registration of adoption is made.
   • Children are citizens or non-citizens.
   • Children have their ID (Birth Certificate / Identity Card / Passport / Entry Permit for foreigners / and visa must be two years in length).
     
     
2. Applicant Eligibility
   
   • One of the adoptive parents (husband/wife) or adoptive mother (single) or adoptive father (single) who is a citizen or permanent resident.;
   • Adoptive parents or adoptive mother (single) or adoptive father (single) aged 25 and above and at least 18 years older than the child;
   • Married couple with legal marriage document;
   • Adoption with consent from the natural parents or the female single parent. In the absence of consent, the adoption can still proceed through a court order or social report from the Department of Social Welfare.
   • Application must be submitted to the NRD at the district where the adoptive parents are resident.
     
     
3. Documents Required
   
   • Application form for registration of adoption – JPN.AA01;
   • Birth Certificate or identification document of the child (original and copy);
   • Statutory declaration or letter of consent for adoption (JPN.AA07) from the biological parents or single mother. If the mother is under 18 years of age, letter of consent must be signed either with mother or father or sibling of the mother above 18 years old;
   • Statutory Declaration by adoptive parent;
   • One (1) copy of the identity card or passport of each of the biological parents stated in the child’s Birth Certificate;
   • Identity cards or passports and visas of the adoptive parents (originals and copies);
   • Marriage document of the adoptive parents (original and copy);
   • Birth Certificates or identification documents of the children of the adoptive parents (if any);
   • Full pictures of children in postcard size;
   • Proof of residence of the applicant in the form of an electricity bill / water bill / telephone bill / assessment / certification;
   • Death Certificates of the child’s biological parents if they have died;
   • Copy of the applicant’s salary statement (if any); and
   • Form 13 (The applicant is required to obtain Form 12 from any nearby National Registration Department Office or from the Social Welfare Office in the residential area of ​​a foster parent before Form 13 is issued by the Social Welfare Office)
     
     
4. Proceedings
   
   • All applications for registration will be interviewed through proceeding sessions before the Registrar. Parties who should attend are:
     a) Foster parents or foster mother or foster father
     b) Children
     c) Legitimate parents / guardians.
   • The presence of biological parents may be exempted if there is a letter of consent for adoption (JPN.AA07).
   • Payment upon approval is RM30.00.
     
     
5. Appointment application form
   
   • Notice: Forms in this portal are for guidance purpose only. For transactions at the counter, please use the original form.
   • Application Form for Registration of Adoption – JPN.AA01;