Are Notarial Certificate and Apostille compulsory in Singapore? #
Yes. Since 16 September 2021, all notarised documents in Singapore must be authenticated by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) with an Apostille. A Notarial Certificate alone is not valid without this step.
How the process works: #
► Step 1 – Notary issues Notarial Certificate: Your Notary Public prepares the Notarial Certificate through SAL’s online portal after the Notary or client pay the Apostille fee of $80 + GST to SAL. Without this payment, the Notary can only generate a draft certificate, not the final engrossed version.
► Step 2 – Binding of documents: The Notary binds the Notarial Certificate together with your notarised documents using the red ribbon and official seal as prescribed by SAL.
► Step 3 – SAL Apostille: You (or your representative) must then bring the bound notarised documents to SAL’s Counter Service at The Adelphi. SAL will affix the Apostille sticker on the reverse of the Notarial Certificate. This confirms the Notary’s signature and makes the document valid.
⚠️ Important: Some clients mistakenly think they do not need an Apostille. In reality, the Apostille is compulsory for every notarised document in Singapore. Without it, your document will not be legally recognised outside Singapore.
Additional services: #
- If you require our Notary’s office to collect the Apostille from SAL on your behalf, a service fee will apply.
- You can view our Notary Public fee calculators here:
- To make an appointment, please visit: Book a Notary Appointment.
📌 For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Laws may change. Consult qualified lawyer.
Why Every Notarised Document in Singapore Requires an Apostille #
Countries that Accept Apostilles #
Countries and states that are members of the Hague Convention on Apostille generally accept an Apostille issued in Singapore without requiring any further legalisation. However, requirements may vary by authority or institution. You should always confirm whether the receiving country is a Hague member by checking the official list at the Hague Conference website: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41.
