How to Notarize a Document in Singapore: Common Papers, SAL Steps and Costs

Quick answer: Here is how to notarize a document in Singapore. Take private papers, such as a power of attorney, degree copies or company resolutions, to a notary public. Singapore birth and marriage certificates skip the notary and go straight to the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL). SAL then adds an apostille, and countries outside the Apostille Convention also need an embassy stamp. A single notarised paper usually costs about S$162.20 (S$75 notary fee plus S$87.20 SAL fee).

Each type of paper follows a slightly different path. This guide shows which documents need notarisation, the steps, the costs and the mistakes to avoid.

Why People Notarise Documents in Singapore

Most people do it because an office outside Singapore asks. A bank, court, school or land office abroad wants proof that the paper is real.

A notary public in Singapore is a senior lawyer appointed through SAL. The notary checks your ID, watches you sign or checks a copy, and issues a notarial certificate. This certificate says what the notary did.

But the notary’s stamp alone is not enough. SAL says a notarised paper without SAL’s authentication is not valid. So nearly every notarised paper also goes to SAL.

Here are the people we help most often:

• Parents selling or renting out a home overseas.
• Graduates applying for jobs or study abroad.
• Couples registering a Singapore marriage in their home country.
• Companies opening a branch or bank account abroad.

Which Documents Need Notarization First?

SAL splits papers into two groups. Private papers need a notary. Public papers, issued by the Singapore government, can go straight to SAL.

Can a notary here notarise a foreign document?

A Singapore notary can often certify a copy of a foreign paper, or witness your signature on one. But SAL only legalises papers made or issued in Singapore. It will not apostille a foreign original, such as an Indian birth certificate. That paper must be legalised in the country that issued it.

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney (POA) lets someone else act for you. For example, a relative can sell your flat abroad or deal with your bank there.

A POA is a private paper, so it needs a notary:

1. Get the POA wording from the overseas lawyer, bank or land office.
2. Check every name and ID number against your passport.
3. Do not sign it yet. The notary must watch you sign.
4. Bring your passport or NRIC to the notary.
5. The notary checks who you are and that you understand the paper.
6. The notary issues the notarial certificate.
7. SAL adds the apostille.

Many overseas offices draft the POA in their own language. You must understand what you sign, so read an English version first. Getting a POA translation for overseas use also helps the overseas office check that both versions match.

Degree Certificates and Transcripts

Few people want to send their only original degree overseas. So the usual route is a certified true copy. This is a photocopy that the notary checks against the original and then certifies.

1. Bring the original degree and transcript to the notary.
2. The notary checks each copy against the original.
3. The notary can often issue one notarial certificate for the set.
4. SAL adds the apostille to that certificate.

Under the Notaries Public Rules, each paper needs its own notarial certificate. Certified true copies are the exception. They can share one certificate, if the receiving office accepts this. So a degree and transcript can often share one SAL fee.

Some employers abroad want the degree in their own language. Others want a foreign degree shown in English here. In both cases, translating your degree scroll keeps the course name and dates exact.

Birth and Marriage Certificates

Singapore birth and marriage certificates are public papers. SAL can legalise them directly. No notary is needed.

• Bring the original. SAL does not accept photocopies.
• No laminated papers. SAL cannot apostille them. Ask the issuing agency for a certified true copy or an extract instead.
• Digital certificates must be printed out first.
• Submit your request online, then bring the paper to the SAL counter.

Many couples we help married in Singapore and need the certificate in their home country. They often book an apostille for birth and marriage certificates with the translation. Then both are ready at once.

Company Documents

Company papers fall into three groups.

ACRA documents

ACRA Business Profiles and Business Certificates can get an e-Apostille. You upload them on SAL’s legalisation portal. SAL checks them through ACRA’s system and emails the e-Apostille, often within minutes.

Private company papers

Board resolutions, a director’s POA and copies of the company constitution are private papers. A director usually signs them before a notary. Then SAL adds the apostille.

Commercial papers

Invoices and certificates of origin can take a different route. A listed Chamber of Commerce certifies them first. SAL can then legalise them. The listed chambers include SCCI, SCCCI, SICCI, SICC, SMCCI and SMF.

Does a branch abroad need your company details in its language? Then translating ACRA Business Profiles comes first.

How to Notarize a Document in Singapore (Step by Step)

Here is the full order for most papers:

1. Ask the receiving office what it wants. Ask about language, copies or originals, and stamps.
2. Translate, if the paper is not in the language they need.
3. Notarise private papers. Pay the notary’s fee and SAL’s authentication fee at the notary’s office.
4. Go to SAL. For public papers, submit the online request first. SAL is at The Adelphi, 1 Coleman Street, #08-06. The counter opens 9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
5. Get the embassy stamp, for countries outside the Apostille Convention, such as the UAE and Malaysia.
6. Courier the papers to the overseas office.

You do not have to go to SAL yourself. A proxy can go for you, with no authorisation letter needed. The embassy step differs by country, so read how SAL and embassy legalisation fit together before you book.

Where Can I Find a Notary Public in Singapore?

SAL keeps a public directory of notaries on its legalisation website. You can search it by name or firm. SAL itself does not notarise papers, so you contact a notary directly.

Every notary is a practising lawyer, so most work in law firms. Call ahead to book a time. Say what the paper is and which country it is for.

Notary public or commissioner for oaths?

The two are not the same. A notary public handles papers for use outside Singapore. A commissioner for oaths handles affidavits and statutory declarations for use in Singapore, such as for a court here. If your paper stays in Singapore, read when a commissioner for oaths is enough.

How Much Does It Cost to Notarize a Document in Singapore?

The notary’s fees are set by the Notaries Public Rules. Notaries list S$75 per notarial certificate, plus S$20 for each extra person on the same certificate. SAL’s fees are fixed and include GST.

SAL waives its legalisation fee on notarised papers. So the S$87.20 covers the SAL step for those papers. Notaries may charge more for travel, translation or long, complex papers. Embassy fees are extra and depend on the country.

How Long Does It Take to Notarize a Document in Singapore?

Timing depends on the notary and the paper.

• Notary: often the same day or within 1 to 2 working days, once the original is checked.
• SAL counter: papers are processed on the spot. The wait depends on how many you bring.
• Translation: add a few working days if a paper must be translated first.
• Embassy: this step can take days or weeks, depending on the country.

The cheapest notary public in Singapore is rarely the fastest overall. Delays usually come from a missing translation or a wrong copy, not the fee.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Signing the POA at home. The notary must see you sign.
• Names that do not match. The spelling must match your passport on every paper.
• Bringing a laminated or copied birth certificate. SAL needs an unlaminated original.
• Paying for many certificates when one will do. Group your certified true copies.
• Skipping the embassy step for countries outside the Apostille Convention.
• Translating last. A late translation needs its own notary and SAL steps.

The fix for the last mistake is simple: get translations ready for the notary before your appointment, not after.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I post my documents to SAL?

No. SAL does not accept legalisation requests by post or mail. You or a proxy must bring the papers to the counter.

Can I pay SAL in cash?

No. For public papers, you pay online by Visa or Mastercard when you submit the request. SAL does not accept cash at the counter, and its staff cannot use their own cards for you.

Can SAL apostille a printout of an online government record?

Only in some cases. SAL says computer-generated papers are authenticated only after the issuing department has certified them. Contact that department first to get a certified copy.

Can I get a refund if I paid for the wrong document?

No. SAL’s legalisation and photocopying fees are not refundable. Check the number of papers and the type of service before you pay.

Conclusion

To notarise documents in Singapore, sort them first. Private papers, like a POA, degree copies and board resolutions, go to a notary. Singapore birth and marriage certificates go straight to SAL. ACRA records can get an e-Apostille online.

Then check the country. Apostille members need only SAL’s apostille, while others also need an embassy stamp. Is any paper in the wrong language? Translation and notarisation specialists can prepare it before the notary visit. That way you only queue once.