Sometimes things just don’t go the way you hoped. You might have entered into marriage with love and the best intentions but shortly after you realised it was a mistake. Maybe it was rushed based on false promises or simply not what you thought it would be. In such situations Annulment In Singapore can actually be your best bet. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage annulment declares the marriage null and void from the beginning as if it never legally happened.
What is annulment?
According to Singapore Probate Lawyer annulment is a legal procedure that cancels your marriage if the annulment is granted, it means the marriage was never valid in the eyes of the law. This is different from divorce which ends a legally valid marriage. With an annulment, it’s like hitting a reset button.
Valid versus void marriages what is the difference?
In Singapore a marriage might be void like it was never legally valid if one of the partners was already married to someone else. Marriage can also be voidable, which means it was valid at first but can be annulled due to certain issues like no consummation of marriage.
You may apply for annulment In Singapore if:
- One party was already married at the time
- You and your spouse are too closely related (e.g., siblings or cousins)
- One party was under 18 and didn’t have special permission
- The marriage wasn’t properly registered
- The marriage hasn’t been consummated (you haven’t had sexual relations), and there’s a valid reason
Who Can Apply for Annulment in Singapore?
To apply for annulment in Singapore:
- Either spouse can file the annulment
- You must be domiciled in Singapore or have lived here for at least 3 years
- The marriage must fall under the Women’s Charter, which applies to non-Muslim couples
What Happens After an Annulment?
Once annulled, it’s as if the marriage never happened, legally. That means:
- You can state “single” (not divorced) on future legal documents.
- There’s no need for spousal maintenance (in most cases).
- If there are children, they remain legitimate under Singapore law, and custody/child support still apply.
- Property and matrimonial assets may be divided based on fairness.
The annulment process
A lawyer will firstly understand your case and prepare documents if you’re eligible. They will file a writ of nullity like a formal request submitted to the family justice courts to annul your marriage. You or your lawyer will present your case. If the judge agrees with your reasons they will issue a judgment of nullity. After three months if there are no disputes the court issues a final judgment officially annulling your marriage. The whole process might take three to six months.
Annulment vs Divorce
| Feature | Annulment | Divorce |
| Marriage Status | Declared invalid from start | Ends a valid marriage |
| Time Limit | Can apply early (within 3 yrs) | Must wait at least 3 years |
| Children | Considered legitimate | Considered legitimate |
Ending a marriage no matter how brief is never easy. But sometimes it’s the right step towards healing and starting fresh. If your marriage was a mistake, don’t stay stuck. Let the caring team at Populus Law guide you through this process.