Notary Public in Singapore

Yes, in Singapore, both the notarial certificate and SAL authentication are required as part of the standard notarisation process. Since 15 February 2017, a Notary Public is required by law to issue a notarial certificate and secure it to the document. Additionally, from 01 October 2019, every issued notarial certificate needs to be authenticated by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL).

You can schedule an appointment with IRB Law Notary Public at short notice during usual office hours, usually on the same or the next working day, depending on availability. Additionally, you can request our Notary Doorstep Service for off-site notarisation in Singapore. Please call our office at +65 6298 2537 or fill out the form on this page to make an appointment.

Both a Notary Public and a Commissioner for Oaths are authorised to administer oaths and affirmations as well as to witness and authenticate affidavits, statutory declarations, and other documents. However, while a Commissioner for Oaths can authenticate the documents that are intended for use only in Singapore, a Notary Public can verify documents used both in Singapore and other countries.

So, if you intend to use your document outside of Singapore, you will likely need a Notary Public. If you have questions or doubts about whether you need the services of a Notary Public or a Commissioner for Oath, please don't hesitate to contact our office and let us know your requirements.

Both Apostille and legalisation confirm that the document is genuine, that the copy of the document is a certified true copy of the original, or that the document was signed in the presence of a Notary Public.

At the same time, an Apostille is a simplified legalisation procedure where an Apostille is issued by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) and is valid in the countries that implemented the Hague Apostille Convention. However, if the destination country where you plan to use the document has not joined the Convention, you may require a full chain of legalisation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies or consulates of the respective countries.

When you seek to notarise a document in Singapore, you need to make an appointment with a Notary Public. When meeting with the notary, bring the documents you plan to sign as well as your identification documents, such as your passport or immigration pass.

The Notary Public will verify your identity by checking your ID and will ascertain that you understand the nature of the document you are signing and that you are signing it voluntarily. Since the Notary Public must witness the process, you will need to sign the document in their presence.

To certify a document as a true copy of the original, you need to provide the notary with the original version of the document and the photocopy. The Notary Public will compare the copy with the original and verify its authenticity with their signature and stamp, affixing the seal when required.

If you are unable to bring a photocopy when you meet an IRB Law Notary Public in Singapore, don't worry—we can photocopy the document for you on the day.

A Notary Public is a qualified lawyer appointed by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) and authorised to provide notary services. A Notary Public must have at least 15 years of continuous legal practice in Singapore and be at least 40 years old as of the date of the appointment.

Yes, you can make an appointment with a Notary Public in any of our offices. Additionally, you can request our Notary Doorstep Service to have the Notary Public come to your home or office by calling us or filling out the form on this page.

Yes, it is possible. At IRB Law, we offer a Notary Doorstep Service, which includes courier pickup of documents and delivery of notarised documents and certified true copies right to your door, among other notarial services. Please get in touch to let us know your needs in remote notary services, and we will aim to accommodate them as much as possible.

When you visit a Notary Public in Singapore for witnessing the signing of documents, you need to have the document(s) to be signed and your government-issued photo identification, such as an identity card, passport or immigration pass, at the moment of your appointment.

In Singapore, the notary fees for most notarial services are fixed by law and can be found in the First Schedule of the Notary Public Rules. For example, the notary fee for witnessing the signing of a document by one person is $40.

Additionally, the notarial process in Singapore includes issuance of a notarial certificate by a notary and Singapore Academy of Law authentication with set fees of $75 and $87.20, respectively. Due to the nuanced nature of notary services, we advise you to contact us for a summary quote for all your notary needs in Singapore.

In general, witnessing the signing of a document or certifying that a document is a true copy of the original takes approximately 15-30 minutes per document. Since the notarisation process in Singapore includes submitting the documents and notarial certificates to the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), you can collect the documents after SAL authentication on the same or the next working day.

When you need to sign a document and use it internationally, you will have to notarise it with a Notary Public. The Notary Public in Singapore will verify your identity before you sign the document, witness your signature, and affix a notary seal.

Likewise, if you need certified copies of the original documents for use outside Singapore, you need the notary to certify the correctness of the copy with their signature, stamp, and seal as required. Notarisation in Singapore also includes issuance of a notarial certificate by the Notary Public and an Authentication Certificate by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL).