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Citizenship Law

Singapore Article 134 & 135 Dual Citizenship Ban & Deprivation Guide 2026

Complete legal guide to Article 134 & Article 135 of the Singapore Constitution. Explains strict dual passport ban, foreign citizenship acquisition, & deprivation rules.

Overview & Statutory Background

The Constitution of the Republic of Singapore enforces a strict, uncompromising ban on dual citizenship under Articles 134 and 135. Under Article 134, if a Singapore citizen voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship by naturalization or registration, the Government may by order deprive that person of Singapore citizenship. Under Article 135, the Government may issue a deprivation order if a citizen exercises exclusive rights of foreign nationals, such as applying for or renewing a foreign passport, using a foreign passport as a travel document, or voting in foreign political elections. Minors who acquire dual nationality by birth or descent must elect one citizenship upon reaching age 21 and execute the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty (ORAL) before age 22 under Article 128. Under Article 133 and the Third Schedule, deprivation orders require prior notice and referral to an independent 3-member Committee of Inquiry. Use this guide to understand Singapore citizenship law and deprivation provisions under Articles 128 to 139.

Key Pass Highlights & Statutory Criteria

Core Rule

Strict Dual Citizenship Ban

Verified

Constitutional Basis

Article 134 & Article 135

Verified

Age 21-22 Deadline

Oath of Renunciation (ORAL)

Verified

Inquiry Committee

Article 133 Third Schedule

Verified

Evaluation Criteria & Points Breakdown

Article 134 Voluntary Foreign Citizenship Acquisition

Art 134 Deprivation

Empowers the Government to issue a deprivation order if a Singapore citizen voluntarily acquires foreign nationality by naturalization or registration.

Article 135 Exercise of Foreign Citizenship Rights & Passports

Art 135(1) Deprivation

Authorizes deprivation if a citizen applies for/renews a foreign passport, uses a foreign passport for travel, or votes in foreign political elections.

Article 128 Minor Dual Citizens Age 21-22 Renunciation

Art 128 ORAL Oath

Dual nationals by birth or descent must formally renounce foreign nationality and take Singapore's Oath of Renunciation (ORAL) before turning 22.

Article 133 & Third Schedule Committee of Inquiry

3-Member Inquiry

Deprivation requires prior written notice and referral to a 3-member Committee of Inquiry chaired by a person qualified as a High Court Judge.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

Applies to all naturalized, descent, and birth Singapore Citizens under Articles 128 to 139.

Singapore citizens who acquire a second foreign passport or vote in foreign elections face discretionary citizenship deprivation under Article 135.

Renunciation of Singapore citizenship requires prior completion of National Service (NS) obligations for male citizens under the Enlistment Act.

ICA handles all citizenship renunciation applications and deprivation order gazetting.

Step-by-Step Application & Issuance Process

Identification of Voluntary Foreign Citizenship / Passport Usage

ICA detects foreign citizenship acquisition (Art 134) or foreign passport application/voting (Art 135).

Issuance of Written Notice of Intent to Deprive Citizenship

Government issues formal notice informing citizen of grounds for deprivation and right to request inquiry.

Referral to Article 133 Third Schedule Committee of Inquiry

Case is referred to the independent 3-member Committee of Inquiry chaired by a High Court Judge candidate.

Committee Inquiry Hearing & Report to Minister

Committee conducts formal hearing, receives representations, and submits findings to the Minister for Home Affairs.

Gazetting of Citizenship Deprivation Order

Minister issues Deprivation Order published in Government Gazette; individual loses Singapore citizenship and NRIC.

Required Document Checklist

•Constitution of the Republic of Singapore Articles 128, 134, 135, & Third Schedule

•ICA Form Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty (ORAL)

•Foreign Embassy Renunciation Certificate / Foreign Passport Cancellation Notice

•MINDEF National Service (NS) Discharge Certificate (for male applicants)

•Article 133 Committee of Inquiry Notice of Deprivation Hearing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

No. Singapore enforces a strict zero-tolerance ban on dual citizenship under Articles 134 and 135 of the Constitution. Singapore citizens cannot hold dual passports.

Article 134 governs deprivation of citizenship when a citizen voluntarily acquires foreign nationality. Article 135 governs deprivation when a citizen exercises rights of foreign nationals, such as applying for or renewing a foreign passport, using a foreign passport, or voting in foreign political elections.

Children who hold dual citizenship by birth or descent are permitted to retain dual nationality during childhood. However, upon turning 21, they must renounce foreign citizenship and take the Oath of Renunciation before age 22 under Article 128.

No. Male citizens cannot renounce Singapore citizenship unless they have fully completed their National Service obligations or obtained MINDEF approval.

Under Article 133 and the Third Schedule, the Government must give written notice before depriving a person of citizenship, allowing them to request an inquiry before an independent 3-member Committee of Inquiry chaired by a person qualified as a High Court Judge.

Under Article 135(2), the Government will not deprive a person of citizenship if it would render them stateless, unless the citizenship was originally acquired by fraud or false representation.