Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) in Singapore

If you are planning to file for divorce in Singapore and have at least one child below the age of 21, you may be required to complete the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) before commencing divorce proceedings.

In this guide, we explain who needs to attend the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme, how the programme works, how to register, what to expect during the consultation, and what happens if you do not complete the CPP before filing for divorce.

What is the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme?

The Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) is a compulsory pre-divorce programme introduced by Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) for married parents with at least one child below the age of 21.

Before filing for divorce, eligible parents must complete the CPP. The programme helps parents understand how divorce may affect their children and encourages them to make informed decisions about parenting arrangements, housing, finances, and their children’s long-term well-being after the marriage ends.

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion, which must be submitted when filing for divorce. Without a valid certificate, an eligible applicant cannot commence divorce proceedings.

CPP at a Glance	Details
Cost	Free
Structure	E-learning + counsellor consultation
Time required	~1.5 hours e-learning, plus 1 to 3 sessions
Certificate validity	2 years from date of issue
Languages	English, Mandarin; Tamil or others on request
Who must attend	Parents with children below 21 filing for divorce

Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) reports that more than 90% of parents who complete CPP say they came away better informed about how divorce affects both themselves and their children. That’s the underlying intent, helping you make decisions with your children’s interests at the centre, rather than defaulting to conflict.

How to Register for CPP

Registration follows a straightforward sequence, and you won’t need to prepare any documents beforehand.

1. Check if you’re required to attend. Start with the CPP questionnaire on the Family Assist portal to confirm whether CPP applies to your situation.
2. Log in with Singpass and complete the e-learning. This is Part 1, and it’s done individually.
3. Get routed to the booking platform. Once you finish the e-learning, you’ll be directed here to book your consultation. Note that available slots typically only open up 3 days after you first log in to the booking platform, so it’s worth planning ahead if you’re working against a filing deadline.
4. Choose a FAM@FSC centre and book your session. This is Part 2, attended alone or with your spouse.
5. Need an earlier slot? If you’re working against a deadline, for example to meet a cross-application timeline, contact FAM@FSC directly rather than waiting out the standard booking window.

How to Apply for the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme

CPP has two parts, and you’ll go through them in sequence.

Part 1: E-Learning

You complete this on your own, logging in with Singpass on the Family Assist portal run by the Ministry of Social and Family Development. It takes about 1.5 hours and includes self-assessment tools to help you think through your marital situation and your children’s needs.

Part 2: In-Person or Virtual Consultation

Once you’ve finished the e-learning, you’ll be directed to an online booking platform to choose a Family Service Centre (FAM@FSC) and timeslot. You can attend alone or with your spouse. Most parents are expected to book this consultation within six months of finishing the e-learning, and the counsellor will confirm after your first session whether you need one, two, or three sessions in total.

Key Difference	E-Learning	Consultation
Format	Self-paced, online	With a counsellor, in-person or virtual
Where	Family Assist portal (Singpass login)	FAM@FSC centre, booked after e-learning
Time	~1.5 hours	1 to 3 sessions

Cost and Certificate Validity

This programme is free of charge, both the e-learning and the consultation.

Once you’ve completed the required session(s), you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion. A few things to know about it:

• You’ll need to hand this certificate over to the lawyer filing your divorce.
• It’s valid for 2 years from the date it’s issued.
• If you don’t file for divorce within that 2-year window, you’ll need to redo the CPP before you can proceed.

Also Read: What is Care and Control?

Why Co-Parenting Doesn’t End When the Marriage Does

The Purpose Behind Co-Parenting Requirements

Co-parenting refers to how separated parents share responsibility for raising their children. Even once the divorce is finalised, both parents still carry that responsibility until their children reach adulthood, this doesn’t stop at the courtroom door.

A study by the Ministry of Social and Family Development found that a cooperative co-parenting style is linked to better outcomes for children, including:

• Fewer behavioural and emotional problems compared to children of less cooperative co-parents
• Better adjustment to changes in living arrangements and routines
• Stronger relationships with both parents post-divorce

What the Programme Aims to Achieve

CPP is designed to better protect children affected by their parents’ divorce. Specifically, it helps parents by:

• Guiding decisions on living arrangements, so children have stability on where and how they’ll live
• Addressing the financial and housing implications of divorce that directly affect the children
• Raising awareness of how the divorce process affects children emotionally and practically, not just logistically
• Equipping parents with practical co-parenting skills to reduce ongoing conflict after the divorce is finalised

Who Must Attend, and Who’s Excluded

If you’re the applicant starting the divorce and have a child under 21, you cannot file without completing CPP, even if you and your spouse agree on every term. If you’re the respondent and don’t attend the consultation, you won’t be able to make a cross-application.

Exclusions are narrow. A few points worth knowing:

• Mental incapacity — exclusion only applies if you’ve been legally assessed as lacking the mental capacity to make decisions, for example, being unable to understand, retain, evaluate, or communicate relevant information. This needs to be backed by proper documentation, and the exclusion application is submitted through MSF.
  
• Court-ordered exemption — in certain situations, such as cases involving domestic violence or abuse, the court may allow the divorce process to proceed without CPP to avoid delays. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with the family’s and children’s welfare as the primary consideration.
  
• CPP doesn’t apply to Muslim marriages. Parents in a Muslim marriage with children under 21 instead attend counselling through the Syariah Court’s Marriage Counselling Programme (MCP) before filing.
  
• Overseas parents aren’t exempt, but arrangements can be made. Contact FAM@FSC directly, and they can arrange for your consultation to be conducted virtually.

Can I skip the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme?

If you are the applicant who wants to start the divorce, and you have child/children under 21, you will not be able to file the divorce if you do not attend the programme.  This programme is compulsory even if you and your spouse agree to all the terms of the divorce.

If you are the applicant’s spouse and you do not attend the consultation, you will not be able to make a cross-application during the divorce.

Can a Lawyer Attend on Your Behalf

No, you must personally attend CPP yourself, this can’t be delegated to your lawyer. That said, engaging a lawyer early still helps: they can guide you through registration and make sure your CPP timeline lines up with the rest of your filing, so completing the programme doesn’t end up delaying your divorce.

CPP and Your Divorce Filing

Whether you’re on the Simplified or Non-Simplified divorce track, CPP applies the same way if you have children under 21, and your certificate gets submitted alongside your other filing documents either way. For a full breakdown of what each track involves, see our divorce procedure guide.

Also Read: Child Maintenance in Singapore: Guide, Laws & Calculation

Ready to Take the Next Step with Professional Divorce Lawyer

CPP can feel like one more hurdle in an already difficult process, but it exists to make the rest of your divorce, especially the parts involving your children, easier to navigate. Knowing the two stages, the certificate timeline, and where the exclusions genuinely apply means you won’t be caught off guard when it’s time to file.

Every divorce comes with its own complications, and CPP is just one piece of the puzzle. If you want an experienced hand guiding you through the rest, from your parenting plan to the court documents, Ng Pui Khim has over 20 years handling divorce, custody, and family law matters in Singapore. Contact us for a conversation about your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions