Quick answer: The difference between a true copy vs certified true copy vs notarized copy is who signs it. A true copy is a plain copy with no signature. A certified true copy (CTC) is a copy that a lawyer or official checks and signs. A notarized copy is signed and sealed by a notary public with a notarial certificate. It is the strongest type and the one most often used abroad.
A simple rule helps. Use a certified true copy for most offices in Singapore. Use a notarized copy when the paper leaves Singapore. A plain true copy has no legal value. But always follow what the receiving office asks for.
True Copy Meaning: A Plain Copy
A true copy is a plain copy or scan of an original paper. Nothing is changed, left out or added. Say a friend asks for a true copy of your degree. They just want a clean, exact copy.
No one has signed it, so it carries no legal weight. Offices, embassies, courts and schools almost never accept one. They want proof that someone has checked it.
The original is the real paper, such as your birth certificate. Keep it safe at home.
What Is a Certified True Copy?
The certified true copy meaning is simple. An official looks at your original and the copy. Then they sign the copy to say it is complete and exact.
They also add a stamp, the date, and their name and title. That signature gives the copy its legal value. “CTC” is just the short form you see on many forms.
Offices often ask for a CTC when they cannot keep your original. Think of visas, jobs, bank accounts and property deals. In a rush? Ordering same-day certified copies saves a trip to a law firm.
Certified true copy sample wording
People often look for a certified true copy sample. The words change with each certifier. But a proper one usually shows:
- a line such as “Certified true copy of the original document sighted by me”.
- the certifier’s signature.
- their full name and title, such as Advocate & Solicitor or Notary Public.
- the date.
- a stamp or seal, often on every page.
If any of these is missing, the office may reject the copy. Check each page before you hand it in.
Need a Certified True Copy of Your Degree, Passport or Certificate This Week?
What Is a Notarized Copy?
A notarized copy is a certified copy with more authority. A notary public signs and seals it. A notary public is a senior lawyer named under the Notaries Public Act.
The notary checks the copy against the original. Then the notary adds a seal and a notarial certificate. Courts and embassies around the world know this format.
You usually need a notarized copy when:
- you send a Singapore document to another country.
- a foreign embassy or university asks for “notarized” papers.
- the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) will add an apostille next.
- you sign a power of attorney for use abroad.
Papers that are not in English often need a translation too. If so, ask for notarised English versions of foreign records in the same order.
What is a notarized letter?
A notarized letter is a letter signed in front of a notary public. The notary checks your identity and watches you sign. Then the notary adds a notarial certificate. People use one for a consent letter or a statement sent abroad.
True Copy vs Certified True Copy vs Notarized Copy: Side by Side
Here is the true copy vs certified true copy vs notarized copy check in one table.
| Feature | True copy | Certified true copy | Notarized copy |
|---|
| What it is | A plain copy of the original | A copy signed by an official | A copy signed and sealed by a notary public |
| Who makes it | Anyone | Usually a lawyer, a notary or the issuing office | Notary public only |
| Stamp or seal | None | Signature and stamp | Notarial certificate, seal and signature |
| Legal weight in Singapore | Very low | Strong | Strongest |
| Accepted overseas | No | Sometimes | Usually, often with an apostille |
| Common use | Your own records | Visa, job, bank, school | Use abroad, courts, embassies |
| Typical cost | Free | From S$10 a page at a notary | S$75 notarial certificate, plus S$87.20 if SAL adds an apostille |
A certified copy is treated like the original for paperwork. But it is still a copy, not the original itself.
Not Sure Which Copy the Office Wants? Send Us the Request Letter to Check
Certified True Copy vs Notarized Copy: The Key Difference
Both say the copy matches the original. The real gap is who signs and where the copy is accepted.
- Certified true copy: a lawyer or official signs. It is fine for most offices in Singapore.
- Notarized copy: a notary public signs and seals, with a notarial certificate. It is the one SAL can apostille for use abroad.
So can a notary certify a true copy? Yes, and that gives you the strongest version. Think of it like this: certified for Singapore, notarized for the world.
The same split applies to translations. ICA, MOM and the courts each have a rule, so check which translation type each office wants too.
Who Can Certify a True Copy in Singapore?
The list is short:
- a practising Singapore lawyer (Advocate & Solicitor).
- a notary public, which is the strongest option.
- the office that issued the paper, or the office receiving it, for its own use.
SAL also makes certified copies of some Singapore public papers when it legalises them. Birth and marriage certificates are two examples. Its staff copy the original at the counter. This costs S$10.70 per document plus S$1.07 for the copy.
What about a commissioner for oaths? A commissioner’s job is to take oaths and declarations, not to certify copies. Read what a commissioner for oaths does before you book one for this.
How to Get a Certified True Copy
The basic steps are short. Bring the original and a clean copy. The certifier compares them, then signs, dates and stamps the copy. Most jobs are done the same day.
Each office and embassy can add its own rules. For the full checklist, see how and where to get a certified true copy in Singapore.
Certified True Copy Cost in Singapore
Notary fees follow a fixed scale set by law. SAL fees are fixed too. These were checked in October 2026.
| Item | Fee |
|---|
| Notary: certified true copy with seal, first page | S$10 |
| Notary: each extra page | S$2 |
| Notary: notarial certificate and seal | S$75 |
| SAL: authentication and apostille of a notarised document | S$87.20, including GST |
| SAL: legalising a Singapore public document | S$10.70, including GST |
| SAL: photocopy for a certified true copy | S$1.07 |
A copy certified by an ordinary law firm has no fixed scale. Each firm sets its own price, so ask first. Translation, if needed, is priced on its own.
Apostille or Legalisation After Notarization
For documents going abroad, notarization is often only the first step.
- Apostille: Singapore joined the Apostille Convention in September 2021. If the other country is also a member, SAL adds an apostille to the notarised document. No embassy step is needed.
- Legalisation: If the other country is not a member, SAL authenticates the document first. Then that country’s embassy in Singapore legalises it.
Many people find the SAL trip hard to fit into a workday. Handing it over and getting the apostille done for you means no queue.
True Copy vs Certified True Copy vs Notarized Copy: Which Do You Need?
| Document | In Singapore | Abroad |
|---|
| Passport or NRIC | Certified true copy | Notarized copy |
| Birth or marriage certificate | Certified true copy | Notarized copy, often with an apostille |
| Degree or transcript | Certified true copy | Notarized copy |
| Driving licence | Certified true copy | Notarized, if the country asks |
| Power of attorney | Usually notarized | Notarized |
| Court papers | Ask the court | Notarized, sometimes with an apostille |
Contracts and court files carry legal words that must stay exact in English. So a translation of contracts and court files often comes before the copy is certified.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Mixing up the words. “Certified” and “notarized” are not the same. Ask the office which one it wants, in writing if you can.
- Using a plain photocopy. A true copy with no signature has no legal use.
- Asking any lawyer for a notarized copy. Only a notary public can notarize.
- Skipping the translation. A paper in Chinese, Malay, Tamil or another language may also need a translation.
- Forgetting the apostille. Some countries need an apostille or embassy step after the notary.
We often see clients come back because the office wanted the other type. Not sure? Ask translators who also handle notary work to read the request letter with you.
Sending Documents Abroad? Get Notarisation, Translation and Apostille Sorted in One Order
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a certified true copy expire?
No law gives it an expiry date. But many offices want a copy that was certified recently. Some, such as EDB for investor applications, set a time limit for notarised papers. Check the office’s own rule before you reuse an old copy.
Can a Singapore notary certify a copy of a Malaysian or other foreign document?
Yes, as long as you bring the original. The notary only confirms the copy matches it. If the document is not in English, the office may also want a translation.
Is a scan of my certified true copy still certified?
No. Once you scan or photocopy it, it is a plain copy again. Some offices accept scans for online forms, but then may ask to see the paper version. Keep the signed copy safe.
Can one certified true copy be used for several offices?
Usually not. Most offices keep the copy you hand in. Ask for one signed copy for each office at the same visit. It saves a second trip.
Conclusion
A true copy is a plain copy with no legal value. A certified true copy is signed by a lawyer or official. It suits most offices in Singapore. A notarized copy is signed and sealed by a notary public. It is the one used abroad.
Before you pay for anything, ask the office which type it wants. Is the paper leaving Singapore? Then plan the notary, SAL and any translation in one go.
