Quick answer: In notarization vs attestation, the key point is scope. Notarization is when a notary public checks and certifies a document. Attestation is a general word for a signed confirmation, and some countries use it for the whole chain of embassy stamps. An apostille is a certificate from the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) for Apostille Convention countries. Legalisation is the extra embassy stamp that countries outside the Convention still need.
These words get mixed up all the time. This guide shows the difference between notarization and attestation, and where the apostille fits. It also lists SAL’s fees and which countries need which step.
Notarization vs Attestation vs Apostille vs Legalisation at a Glance
| Step | Who does it | What it proves | When you need it |
|---|
| Notarization | A notary public (a senior lawyer appointed through SAL) | A signature, copy or paper was checked by the notary | Private papers going overseas, such as a power of attorney or company papers |
| Attestation | Depends on the country. In Singapore, a notary attests (witnesses) signatures | Someone official confirmed a signature or stamp | When the receiving office uses this word. Ask what it means to them |
| Apostille | SAL | The notary’s or official’s signature and seal are real | Countries in the Apostille Convention |
| Legalisation | The foreign embassy in Singapore, after SAL | The destination country accepts SAL’s certificate | Countries outside the Apostille Convention |
The short version: notarise first, then SAL, then the embassy if needed.
What Is Notarization in Singapore?
Notarization means a notary public deals with your paper and issues a notarial certificate. This certificate says what the notary did. For example, the notary may have:
- watched you sign a paper
- checked a copy against the original, called a certified true copy
- taken your oath on an affidavit meant for use abroad
A notary public in Singapore must be a practising lawyer. SAL’s board only picks lawyers with 15 years of practice. They must also be at least 40. You can find one in SAL’s online directory.
Under the Notaries Public Rules, the notary must issue a separate certificate for each paper. Certified true copies are the exception. Several of them can share one certificate.
A notarised paper is not ready for overseas use on its own. SAL says a notarised paper without its authentication is invalid. Only need a copy checked? Learn what a notarised copy really means before you book.
Difference Between Notarization and Attestation
Attestation simply means confirming something with a signature. The word changes meaning from place to place.
- In Singapore, a notary “attests” a signature. This means the notary watches you sign and confirms it.
- In some other countries, “attestation” means the stamps from embassies and foreign ministries.
So is attestation the same as a notary? Not always. Notarization is one step done by one person. Attestation can mean that one step, or a whole chain of stamps.
A common problem we see is a client who asks for “attestation”. Usually a foreign employer used that word. Once we check, the employer often wants notarisation, an SAL step and an embassy stamp. Ask the receiving office for its exact list in writing. Then a team used to embassy paperwork can match each step to that list.
What does attestation mean for UAE, Qatar or India?
In the Gulf, “attestation” usually means the full chain. For the UAE, the paper is first checked in the country that issued it. Here, that is the notary and SAL. Then the UAE Embassy adds its stamp. Some UAE offices also want a stamp from the UAE foreign ministry (MOFA) once the paper lands. Ask the office if it needs MOFA attestation too.
Qatar is not in the treaty either, so the embassy stamp still applies. India is different. It joined in 2005, so an SAL apostille is usually enough. Some Indian firms still say “attestation” out of habit.
Not Sure Whether Your Document Needs a Notary, an Apostille or an Embassy Stamp?
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that proves a public paper is genuine. It comes from the Apostille Convention, a treaty run by the Hague Conference (HCCH). Member countries accept each other’s apostilles without any embassy step.
Singapore joined on 16 September 2021. SAL is the only body in Singapore that issues apostilles. It took over legalisation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 20 January 2021.
Key points:
- SAL puts an apostille on all papers it legalises, whatever the country.
- For notarised papers, the apostille goes on the back of the notarial certificate.
- SAL can apostille Singapore papers only. A foreign paper needs an apostille from its own country.
- Since 2025, ACRA Business Profiles and Business Certificates can get a digital e-Apostille by email.
Short on time? With apostille help for Singapore documents, we take the papers to the SAL counter for you.
What Is Embassy Legalisation?
Legalisation is the old, longer route. The destination country’s embassy in Singapore checks SAL’s certificate and adds its own stamp.
You still need it when the country is not in the Apostille Convention. SAL’s apostille is the first step. The embassy stamp comes next. For the full step-by-step route, see this guide to getting documents legalised in Singapore.
Each embassy sets its own rules, fees and timing. Some may want a translation into their language or an appointment. SAL says only the country it is going to decides what it needs.
Sending papers to the UAE, Malaysia or Qatar? Plan for the embassy step after SAL, and check its fee early.
The Right Order: From Notarization to Embassy
Steps done in the wrong order mean a second trip. Here is the order SAL uses.
For private papers (power of attorney, company papers, copies of certificates)
- Translate first, if needed. Check if the country wants the text in its own language.
- Notarization. The notary signs and seals the notarial certificate.
- Pay SAL’s authentication fee at the notary’s office. The notary issues the certificate once this is paid.
- SAL counter. SAL authenticates the notary’s signature and adds the apostille.
- Embassy legalisation, only for non-Convention countries.
- Send the papers to the overseas office.
For Singapore public papers (birth and marriage certificates, court papers)
- Submit an online request on SAL’s legalisation portal and pay by Visa or Mastercard.
- Bring the original to the SAL counter. Copies are not accepted, and laminated papers cannot get an apostille.
- Embassy legalisation, if the country is outside the Convention.
SAL’s counter is at The Adelphi, 1 Coleman Street, #08-06. It opens 9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. You do not need an appointment.
The translation must exist before the notary signs, so order translations that a notary can certify early.
Sending Papers to a Country Outside the Apostille Convention? We Handle Every Step
SAL Fees in 2026
These are SAL’s own fees, including GST.
| SAL service | Fee |
|---|
| Authentication of a notarised private paper (paid at the notary’s office) | $87.20 per notarial certificate |
| Legalisation of a Singapore public paper (original) | $10.70 per document |
| Legalisation of a certified true copy made by SAL | $10.70 per document |
| Photocopying for a certified true copy | $1.07 per set, any number of pages |
| e-Apostille for an ACRA Business Profile or Business Certificate | $10.70 per document |
| Legalisation fee on notarised papers | Waived |
Two other costs are separate:
- The notary’s own fee. This is paid to the notary, not to SAL.
- Embassy fees. These depend on the country and the type of paper.
For a non-member country, the embassy step can add days and its own fee. If you would rather not queue twice, document authentication through an embassy can be handled for you.
SAL fees are not refundable. Pay for the right number of papers the first time.
Which Countries Need Which Step?
This list follows the HCCH status table, the official list of member countries.
| Country | Member of the Apostille Convention? | What you need after notarization |
|---|
| United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea | Yes | SAL apostille only |
| India (since 2005), Philippines (since 2019) | Yes | SAL apostille only |
| Indonesia (since 4 June 2022), Saudi Arabia (since 7 December 2022) | Yes | SAL apostille only |
| China (since 7 November 2023), Canada (since 11 January 2024) | Yes | SAL apostille only |
| Pakistan (since 2023), Bangladesh (since 30 March 2025) | Yes | SAL apostille only |
| Vietnam (since 11 September 2026) | Yes, newly joined | SAL apostille only. Confirm with the receiving office, as some may still be adjusting |
| Thailand | Joins on 28 February 2027 | SAL apostille plus Thai embassy legalisation until then. From that date, the SAL apostille should be enough |
| UAE, Malaysia, Myanmar, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Sri Lanka | No | SAL apostille plus that country’s embassy legalisation |
The list changes as countries join. Check the HCCH status table before you start, and ask the receiving office what it accepts. Vietnam’s change is new, so read how it affects papers for the Vietnam Embassy in Singapore.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Going to SAL first with a private paper. SAL will not accept it without a notarial certificate.
- Bringing a laminated certificate. Ask the issuing agency for a certified true copy or extract instead.
- Bringing a photocopy of a public paper. SAL needs the original.
- Trying to apostille a foreign certificate in Singapore. That apostille must come from the country that issued it.
- Skipping the embassy step. Non-member countries usually reject a paper with only an apostille.
- Translating after notarisation. A late translation needs its own notary and SAL steps, which costs more.
Copies of degrees or ID papers are a good example. With true copies certified for SAL, the notary’s certificate is already attached.
Need a Translation Before Notarisation? We Prepare It in the Format Notaries Expect
Frequently Asked Questions
Is attestation the same as an apostille?
No. An apostille is one fixed form set by a treaty. Only member countries accept it. Attestation is a looser word. In the Gulf, it often means the embassy chain that an apostille replaces.
How much does a notary public cost in Singapore?
The notary’s fee follows a fixed scale set by law. The amount depends on the job, such as one signature or a set of copies. SAL’s S$87.20 fee is added for each notary’s certificate. Ask for the total before you book.
How long does an apostille take in Singapore?
At the SAL counter, papers are processed on the spot, usually the same day. Allow extra time for the notary visit before it, and for any embassy step after it.
Can the receiving country check that my apostille is real?
Yes. Anyone can search SAL’s online register to verify a notarised and authenticated paper, or an apostille. The search is on SAL’s legalisation website.
Can someone else take my papers to SAL?
Yes. You can send a proxy, and SAL does not need an authorisation letter. The proxy must bring the original papers or printouts of digital papers. This also works if you are overseas.
Conclusion
Notarization, attestation, apostille and legalisation are steps on the same road. The notary comes first for private papers. SAL adds the apostille next. The embassy stamp comes last, and only for countries outside the Convention.
Before you start, find out three things. Ask what the receiving office calls the process. Ask which language it wants. Then check if its country is an Apostille member today.
