07 September 2020 is a special and important day for me and my family (my wife, son, and daughter). We will be going for the Singapore Citizenship Registration and take the Oath of Renunciation. This is the day we can officially call ourselves Singaporean. On that day, we woke up early to get ready so that we will not be late for our appointment at 10:45am. We also make sure all the required documents are with us before departing. Before that, let’s go through the required documents you must prepare.
Required Documents
All the required documents are stated clearly in a checklist on the final stage approval letter. Please go through it carefully. For the passport-size photographs, please DO NOT use the copies that you used during your citizenship application. You should get a new one and no more than 3 months. If you intend to apply for a Singapore passport after the registration, I suggest you get an electronic copy as well so that you can use it for passport online application.
Payment
The fee for each applicant is S$80. S$70 is for issuance of Singapore Citizenship Certificate and S$10 is for registration of a Pink Identity Card (IC). Registration of a Pink Identity Card is applicable to applicants who are 15 years old and above. Fee payment is by NETS.
Attire
Almost forgot to mention about the attire. Besides the registration process, you will be taking the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty on becoming a Singapore Citizen. This is a solemn occasion, thus casual wear like t-shirt, shorts, slippers, miniskirts, and jeans are strictly NO NO!
We are ready now …
It was 10:30am at ICA, we arrived slightly early. We proceeded to the Citizenship Unit at level 6 to get our queue ticket at the self-service ticketing kiosk by scanning the barcode on the final stage approval letter. After waiting for about 20 minutes, our number was called, and we proceeded to the counter to submit our documents.
In this process, our blue IC was scrapped with a hole punched on it before returning to us. We did not receive our Pink IC and Citizenship certificate. Instead, we received an IC collection slip, it serves as a temporary IC. The Pink IC and Singapore Citizenship Certificate will only be issued to us during the citizenship ceremony. There will be an invitation letter send to us to attend the ceremony. However, we could collect the citizenship certificates for our children 3 days later.
Next, we sit back to wait for our turn for taking the Oath of renunciation. After the Oath taking, basically we have completed the citizenship registration process. Now, we are officially a Singaporean! Hooray!!! 🎉
Lastly, the officer also reminded us to scan and submit a copy of our Renunciation approval letter (Borang-K) once we received. We can either email a copy to ICA_Citizenship_unit@ica.gov.sg or upload to MyICA portal.
Closing Words
Overall, the whole process of Singapore Citizenship registration is quite fast, we completed it within one hour. We are also eligible to apply for a Singapore passport and we applied ours the next day. In the next blog post, I will be talking on how to apply for a Singapore passport online. Stay tuned for my next blog post and have a nice day! 😊
P.S. Stay tuned for my future posts on other steps in the Singapore citizenship application process. Subscribe to my mailing list so that I can notify you of my new blog posts. You might want to check out my earlier post on “My Singapore Citizenship Journey“.
Hi. You mentioned you received an IC collection slip as temporary IC. What about your children? Do they receive a collection slip for certificate? I would like to apply preschool for my 4-year-old once done with the SC registration. But as I know, children do not need to have an IC and we will not receive the citizenship certificate until the ceremony.
Hi Emily, for my case, I collected my kid’s citizenship certificate 2 days later after the SC registration. No appointment needed. You may check with the officer during your SC registration. By the way, when is your SC registration appointment? Wishing you everything runs smoothly and congratulation! 😊
Oh that’s great! I had to cancel my SC registration appointment which was scheduled on end of August as my renunciation appointment has been scheduled in December. I have yet to reschedule my SC registration appointment since they have not opened up December slot. One more question, do you update Malaysia’s bank (bank account and credit card) about your change of citizenship?
Hi Emily, I was in the same situation as you where I have to reschedule my appointment for SC registration. I sent an email to ICA (ICA_Citizenship_Unit@ica.gov.sg) to reschedule my appointment. I got a reply from ICA 3 days later with the new appointment date. Perhaps you might want to try that instead of waiting for the e-appointment slot. 😉
No, I didn’t update my citizenship status with the bank, but I will do that. Probably after the border opened.
Since you have not completed your citizenship renunciation yet, you might want to check out my post on that as well. https://xiongdiary.com/malaysia-citizenship-renunciation/
Hello, thanks for sharing, your post is very useful !
By the way, do we need to get Borang K translated into English before submitting to ICA for citizenship registration?
Thank you!
Hi Alice, sorry for the late reply. No, you don’t have to translate the Borang K into English. Just photocopy the original document will do.
Hi, thank you for sharing the whole process of citizenship application. Would like to check if you have received the K form, if yes, how long does it took to receive it? My wife gotten her temporary IC slip since January 2021 and til date haven’t receive her form K.
Hi Christopher, thanks for your message. Yes, I have collected my Borang-K in March-2021. It usually takes about 6 to 8 months. For my case, It took me 6 months to receive my borang-K. I got my temporary IC in Sep-2020 and received letter from MHC in Mar-2021. You might want to check out my post on “Borang-K and Birth Certificate Collection” as well. https://xiongdiary.com/borang-k-and-birth-certificate-collection/
Hi, do I need to have the original BORANG-K form ready with me on the day of oath taking? (The one that requires 8 months to process.)
Hi Joel,
You don’t need the borang-K for registration and oath taking. Only MY-RN1 is required.
Hi,
Just want to check, how long after completion of Singapore Citizenship Registration and take the Oath of Renunciation we can start to apply for a Singapore passport?
Hi Kim,
You can apply for a Singapore passport one day after completing of Singapore citizenship registration. You can apply it online. It is fast and easy. Check out my blog post on that 😉
https://xiongdiary.com/singapore-passport-online-application/
Hi ,
Thanks for sharing detailed process of SC application. Would like to know whether Oath taken as a family together or individually ?
Thank you
Hi Rao, you will be going through the oath taking process together with your family. However, children are not required for the oath taking process.
Hi Kwah, i send a email to MHC, to make appointment of our Renoucing of Malaysian citizenship. got the reply our appointment is 29/03/2022, and i send in a reschedule to ICA , but they gv me a call to inform i can go Registration our Singaporean Citizenship before we go renoucing.. i juz curios it is correct? and he said is no problem.. i am so worry. today i resend a query email to ICA again. pending for their reply. do check you ever hear this before?
Thanks Vivian
Hi Vivian,
This is something new to me. In my opinion, you may proceed for the registration without first renouncing your Malaysia citizenship as this is the advice from ICA. On the registration day, you may further clarify with the ICA officer again to make sure that you adhered to all the procedures. Technically, your citizenship application had been approved and you are at the final stage. It just a matter of time for you to complete the rest of the processes. So, not to so worried. Stay calm stay safe. 😉
Happy New Year.
Hi Kwah, thanks, yes i drop email to clarify with ICA they reply as per below :
“”We will allow a one-time exception for you and your family to proceed with the citizenship registration before the appointment date with High Commission of Malaysia.””
Thanks for your reply
Vivian
Hi Vivian, that’s great! Wishing you everything goes well! 🙂
Hi,
I will be going to ica this week to take my Oath of Renunciation I would like to ask if the attire have to be formal wear like when you went for the Singapore Citizenship Ceremony?
Hi Jaden, just be suitably attired will do. Don’t have to put on a tie. For me, I wore a Mandarin Collar shirt. However, please note that it is strictly NO casual wear such as t-shirts, shorts, slippers, mini skirts, and jeans.
Hi, sorry. For the pant part. They said no jeans . So just formal pants and normal shoe will do or do I have to wear formal shoes as well for registration of citizenship?
Hi Pawan, to be on the safe side, please wear formal attire.
Hi, can I check if u did arrange for translation of the Malaysia renunciation papers before submitting to ICA on the actual day?
Hi Shin,
No, you don’t have to translate your documents for submission.
Thank you, because I have arrange my actual day just a few days later after the collection. So I was worried that I must translate. I have waited 4 months just for the renunciation appointment at Malaysia High Com next week
Hi Shin, wishing you everything go well. 😊
Hi Choon Hiong. very good detailed site.
I just got my approval but the MHC appointment is far ahead in June while the SG registration date is March!
That is a 3yr gap and if what the other comment said is true, meaning do the registration first in March and then renounce later in June would mean i would become a Singapore citizen first and cannot use my Malaysian passport to travel!
Just wondering if i can apply SG passport after registration like you said which means i have 2 passport for 3 months!! Wonder if they allow that!
Hi Chan,
Thank you for stopping by my website! 😊
You should reschedule your appointment for Singapore Citizenship registration first. In some cases, ICA would allow you to proceed with the registration without first renounce your Malaysia citizenship. However, this is subject to ICA discretion. I don’t think you can hold 2 passports at the same time as dual citizenship is not allowed in Singapore.
oops 3mth gap…
Hi can I check if you’re aware of the process if we were to renunciate our citizenship in Malaysia instead? Would our passport or IC be taken from us and if we can return to SG without issues? I suppose we will be getting MY-RN1 as well if we were to process in Malaysia, as that is the form required by ICA correct? Sorry totally lost.
Hi Kelly,
Yes, you will surrender your Malaysia IC and passport during the citizenship renunciation process. However, I am not sure about the procedure to renounce the citizenship in Malaysia. I presume it should be the same procedure as in MHC Singapore. Just for my knowledge, may I know the reason for you to renounce your citizenship in Malaysia?
Hi Choon Hiong,
Thanks so much for the detailed site. it has helped me a lot with my renunciation of Malaysian citizenship.
May I just ask, do I have to book an appointment for the oath-taking?
Thank you:)
HI Yong Xin,
You don’t have to book an appointment for the oath-taking. You should receive an email from ICA after completed the Singapore Citizenship Journey. The email is to inform you that there is a status update of your application. Then you can login to the ICA portal to see the final stage approval letter. The appointment date for the citizenship registration and oath-taking is stated in the letter.
Hi thank u for the blog post. Can I know since you can apply for passport and probably receive the passport before u get the actual Pink IC, can u travel with the passport? But you only have a temp IC.
And can I know how long did u have to wait for the actual IC? Coz ICA says usually the ceremony will take place 3 to 6 months after the oath-taking.
Hi YH,
I did not have chance to travel with my Singapore passport as it was during the circuit breaker period. I waited for about 6 months before getting my Pink IC.
Hi, thanks for the detailed sharing. Did you have to memorise the oath?
Hi Jeanette,
No, you don’t have to memorise the oath.
Hi, Renunciation Letter in this case is MY-RN1 for now correct? Do I need to prepare 2 photocopies of MY-RN1 for citizenship registration? Also, I only upload Borang K to MyICA, no need to upload MY-RN1? I’m doing my renunciation next week and citizenship registration 2 weeks later. Thanks!
Hi Fabian,
Yes, you need to prepare 2 photocopies of the MY-RN1. For me, I uploaded both MY-RN1 and Borang-K.
Hi, I have citizenship registration appointment in 2 weeks time.
Can i ask
1. Do children require to attend the appointment for citizenship appointment?
2. I only received MY-RN1 after renunciation without borang-K. Can i ask how long you received your borang-K after renunciation ? Do I need to upload MY-RN1 on MyICA?
Hi Fannie,
1. Yes, you children must attend the citizenship registration appointment.
2. I received the borang-K in 6 months’ time. However, there are people received the borang-k in longer time. I am not sure is it compulsory to upload the MY-RN1, but I did upload the form before going for the citizenship registration.
Hi Kwah,
Thanks so much for the detailed sharing!
May I ask where did you take your passport photos?
And if any issues uploading the softcopy?
I’ve been to shops in malls and they charge a small fortune… something like $40+ for 2 adults? Think it was 6 hardcopies + 1 softcopy.
Hi Nick,
I took my photo from a photo studio. Cannot remember the total cost I incurred. I have no issue uploading the electronic copy.
Hi Kwah, thank you for making this blog. I have 2 questions/clarifications:
1) “Next, we sit back to wait for our turn for taking the Oath of renunciation. After the Oath taking, basically we have completed the citizenship registration process.”
When you mean Oath of Renunciation here, is it an oath for renouncing Malaysian citizenship or the oath of allegiance to Singapore?
2) I already renounced my foreign citizenship and have no change in address and personal particulars… basically, I only need to bring in the ICA the Notification Letter, Blue IC and 3xPhotos, right?
Hi Anthony,
1. It is for the allegiance to Singapore.
2. Bring along the MY-RN1 form as well. Please also go through the required document list stated in the final stage approval letter carefully.
Hi bro, just to check that, on registration day at ICA, if i wearing collar shirt for top, but long jeans for bottom, is this suitable? Do you hace seen anyone wearing that? Thanks in advance for your reply
Hi Jayson, besides the registration process, you will be taking the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty on becoming a Singapore Citizen. This is a solemn occasion, thus casual wear like t-shirt, shorts, slippers, miniskirts, and jeans are strictly not allowed.
Hi bro, just wanna to check that whether on the oath taking, can wear formal for upper body but wear jeans for bottom?
Thanks in advance for your reply
Hi Jayson, oath taking is a solemn occasion, thus casual wear like t-shirt, shorts, slippers, miniskirts, and jeans are strictly not allowed.
Hi, did your Pink IC retain the same ID number as your PR IC? I’m planning for Will.
Hi Lee, yes, the ID number is the same.
Hi Kwah,
Thank you for your sharing, really helped me to understand the process better as I go through with it. I renounced my Malaysian citizenship, got my MY-RN1 form back and am heading to ICA for Oath taking.
Can I just check with you on a couple of questions that I have:
1. On the ICA portal, there is a Step 3(last step) which is to upload the final renunciation certificate, Is it the Borang K that will be returned to us after 8 months?
2. When I went back to collect the MY-RN1 after renunciation, I realized that there is a green slip attached to it and it said to have the original copy of the MY-RN1 form with me when i collect the BORANG K. Will the MY-RN1 be collected during the Oath taking session? Should I have photocopies of the MY-RN1 form just in case?
Hi Janelle,
1. Honestly, I am not sure what document to upload. During that time, I uploaded the MY-RN1 form before the Oath taking appointment. Then I uploaded the Borong-K when I received it.
2. ICA will not collect the MY-RN1 form. You can make a copy of it to play safe.
Hi Kwah,
Thanks for your very insightful sharing! I’m currently at stage 2, should be completing by this end month July, where the expiring date for Stage 2 is actually later date on 6th Sept.
I have a question please! :- Do you think it is possible to travel overseas in mid October for me, assuming I have completed stage 3 by then? What is the actual requirement to be able to start travelling in the midst of completing the citizenship journey? Is it only after I have collected the new pink IC and so on? which is at the citizenship ceremony 3-6 months later?
Thanks a lot and hope to hear from you soon! 🙂
Hi Adam,
Thank you for dropping by my website! I am glad that the information does help you. 😊.
For travelling oversea, I would suggest you do not plan for any travel itineraries using your Malaysia passport before completing the registration in Stage 3. After completing the registration in Stage 3, you would be able to apply for Singapore passport. With that you can travel overseas. You do not have to wait for the pink IC collection.
Dear Choon Hiong,
i am also a bit helpless and worried about all things i needed to do before my registration deadline. I had some personal matters that had to be handled in Malaysia and was taking too long.
You post helped put me at ease especially on the High Comm. renunciation process. I though it will take another few weeks and for sure crossed my registration deadline.
You have no idea how your post calmed me down……
Thank you again for sharing. I for one is super duper appreciative on all the information you shared!
Thanks Tako! 🙂
Hi Mr Kwah,
Thank you so much for your post.
You mentioned to not use the same photo as the one used during the renunciation. May I know what is the reason for this?
I have obtained 6 photos, 3 for the renunciation and 2 for the citizenship application. Can I use the other 2 copies for the citizenship application?
Thank you so much.
Hi Kwah,
Thank you for making this blog. I would like to know how long did the whole registration process took? (Inclusive of taking the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty on becoming a Singapore Citizen) .. based on the appointment timing at ICA (just checking if half day leave is sufficient, appointment time 1015hrs)
Hi Choon Hiong,
I would like to check with you, I had submitted my MY-RN1 since May 2023. It’s has been 12 months no email from MHC. Isit normal? I am worry.
What should I do and how to check ?
ICA sent me a reminder to submit form k. Do I need to reply ICA that don’t receive the form k?
Thank you
Ivan
Hi Ivan,
I think the processing time may vary depending on the application volume. I suggest calling the Consular instead of emailing. Additionally, contact ICA by phone or email to explain your situation and get their advice.