CPF’s Requirements – Signing before Singapore Consulate Officer #
Based on CPF Board’s circular of 2017 (subejct to change), from 1 March 2017, to safeguard the interest of CPF members, for documents and applications that are sent from overseas, CPF will only accept certification of non-original documents and witnessing of CPF applications by Singapore Overseas Missions, ie. before a Singapore Consulate Officer.
Some of the documents and applications affected include:
- Letter of Authorisation and Declaration (“LAD”) authorising law firms to submit applications to use CPF savings to buy a private property on behalf of members who are residing overseas. Please refer to the CPF website for the latest version of the LAD.
- Power of Attorney accompanying an application made by an attorney on behalf of a CPF member who is residing overseas
CPF members can visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore’s website to find the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission to their location.
Signing of POA Overseas #
Accordingly, if you are signing a Power of Attorney for HDB flat or private residential properties authorising your attorney to apply for usage of your CPF funds, please sign your instrument before a Singapore Consulate Officer and not before a Notary Public.
If you face hardship or difficulties in finding a Singapore Consulate Officer in the country of your stay and wish to sign your Power of Attorney before a Notary Public, we would suggest that you write to CPF Board to obtain its written exemption of its requirement.
If CPF Board has approved your request to sign before a Notary Public in lieu of Singapore Consulate Officer, then please forward us a copy of CPF Board’s correspondence for our reference prior to engagement of our services for Power of Attorney.
