What’s the legal difference between separation and divorce in Singapore?

Short answer

Separation ends a couple's cohabitation but the couple still remains legally married, while a divorce order issued by the Court legally and permanently dissolves the marriage. Couples sometimes formalise their separation by signing a Deed of Separation to record their agreed intention to separate. The Deed of Separation may also contain their agreed arrangements on financial obligations and children arrangements. However, this Deed of Separation is not filed to Court and does not automatically dissolve a marriage upon expiration of the 3 years of separation period. The separated couple would still have to go through a formal process of divorce after the expiration of the agreed separation period.