Overview #
This page is about extra identity checks when we are asked to certify a true copy (or that a document was presented as an original) of a private document that was already signed elsewhere. It is not Singapore Notary Public witnessing of your signature, and it is not Zoom / video notarisation.
Witnessing still requires the signer to attend in person (or by an in-Singapore outcall) and sign with wet ink — see Notary Public witnessing and attestation.
If our Notary Public (or Advocate & Solicitor) is asked to certify the true copy of, or confirm presentation of, a document that was already signed elsewhere, we may require extra identity verification through SingPass if the signatory is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident. This is for the agreed CTC / original-presentation notarial act, not for witnessing a signature.
If there is more than one signatory, we may specify one or more signatories to verify by SingPass on the PDF copy of the already-signed document. We may reject the CTC / original-presentation request if we are unable to authenticate a signatory.
Typical documents for this verification may include the following, but only as CTC of already-signed documents or original-presentation checks — not witnessing:
- directors’ resolutions
- shareholders’ resolutions
- signed certificate
- signed power of attorney (already signed elsewhere; CTC / original-presentation only, not witnessing)
- translation document
- signed agreement (already signed elsewhere; CTC / original-presentation only, not witnessing)
- signed partnership agreement
- signed letter
- educational certificate (from a third-party institution) — the client may need to attest to authenticity using SingPass
Documents Required for SingPass Verification #
To facilitate the SingPass verification process for a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident, please provide the following items via email:
- PDF of the already-signed document for the agreed CTC / original-presentation notarial act.
- Full name of the signatory.
- NRIC number of the signatory.
- Email address of the signatory.
- Mobile number of the signatory [Optional].
Verification Process #
Upon receiving the necessary documentation and information, we will initiate an identity-verification request through the Court’s eLitigation service. The signatory will receive an email from the eLitigation system with detailed instructions on how to proceed. Please whitelist emails from @elitigation.sg and @elitigation.com.sg.
Signing Instructions #
The signatory must follow the eLitigation email instructions to complete SingPass verification of the already-signed PDF. This identity-check step is for the CTC / original-presentation request; it is not signing before a Singapore Notary Public and is not remote witnessing. See our help article How to Sign.
Finalisation of Notarisation #
After SingPass verification, we proceed with the CTC / original-presentation notarial act as agreed. Physical originals may still need to be sighted at our office (or couriered as we instruct). SingPass does not replace attendance for witnessing, and this page does not provide Zoom / video notarisation.
