Singapore Notary Public

Notarial Services

A Notary Public in Singapore is usually a practising lawyer and has been appointed by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) in accordance with the Notaries Public Act and its internal guideline.

A Notary Public's duty is to attest deeds, contracts, and other instruments that are to be used abroad and to give a certificate of the due execution of such documents duly authenticated by his signature and notarial seal. Unlike a Cmmissioners for Oaths, a Notary Public is in a position to witness a document signed in front of him which is in a foreign language.

Notarial Services

Notarisation or Notarization is the act of a Notary Public authenticated by his signature and Official Seal, certifying or attesting the due execution in his presence of a document such as a Deed, Agreement or other writing, or verifying some fact or thing of which the Notary Public has certain knowledge.

Notarisation ( notarization ) is normally relevant for documents that are intended for use in other countries be executed before a Notary Public before they are valid. It is generally not required for documents executed in Singapore for use in Singapore.

Notarial Services

For document executed before a Notary Public for use in a foreign country, the Foreign Agency may require that the authority and signature of the Notary Public be sent to the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) for authentication.

At SAL, it  will verify the authority and signature of the Singapore Notary Public and give a certificate to that effect. A fee is chargeable by SAL for issuing such Certificate.

Notarial Services

For documents required to be legalised ( legalized ) by the government, please approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly.

All documents issued by the Singapore Government Departments (eg. Registry of Marriage Certificates, Birth Certificates and Educational Certificates from local government schools) in their original text will be directly legalised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

However, computer generated documents eg. Registrar of Marriage Search, Certificate of Making Decree Nisi Absolute, Adoption Petition, Business Profile from ACRA etc, must be certified by the issuing department first before presenting to MFA for legalisation ( legalization ).

Notarial Services

Non-government documents (foreign / private / company documents) must be first referred to a Singapore Notary Public for notarisation and then to the Singapore Academy of Law (1 Supreme Court Lane, Level 4, Singapore 178879, Tel: 63324388 / Fax: 63344940) for certification before presenting documents at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for legalisation (legalization).

Notarial Services

The Agency may require legalisation (or legalization) or authentication by the Embassy or Consulate located in the country of the Notary Public, of the country in which the document is to be used, i.e. it is the official attestation of the origins of a document.

For example, if a document executed in Singapore before a Singapore Notary Public for use in France would be legalised (legalized) by the French Embassy in Singapore.

Usually for non-Commonwealth countries, apart from verification by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), the document may also have to be sent to the Embassy or Consulate of that country for further certification or legalisation.

Read more: Legalisation by Embassy or Consulate

Notarial Services

These are some of the important links and addresses for Notarisation (notarization) and Legalisation (legalization).

Loh Eben Ong & Partners' Notarial Services:-

Website: www.law.com.sg/notary-public

Singapore Academy of Law (SAL):-

Address: 1 Supreme Court Lane, Level 4, Singapore 178879
Tel: (65) 6332 4388
Website: www.sal.org.sg
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Saturday 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA):-

Address: Consular Service Counter, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanglin, Singapore 248163
Tel: (65) 6379 8000
Website: www.mfa.gov.sg
Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 9.00am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Saturdays: 9.00am to 12.30pm
Location Map

Locating Foreign Embassies & Consulate Offices in Singapore

Please click the link below to access to select the specific country embassy to enquire about the legalisation (legalization) requirments.

Click LINK

Read more: Notarial Links & Addresses

Notarial Services

General

We receive numerous enquiries for our Notarial Services, and some have requested for advice on the foreign authority or organisation's requirements.

In general, our Notary Public will provide his services within the ambit of Singapore law, and has no knowledge of the various foreign's authorities, organisations, institutions and entities' (the "foreign agency") requirements. Prior to approaching us, you should make due enquiries with the foreign agency to their requirements, its formats, and/or samples.

Please take note that information stated in this page is for general information and may contain inaccuracies, and you should not rely on the same as legal opinion.

Witnessing of Execution

Please verify with the foreign agency on:-

(1) the specific documents to be signed by you in the presence of a Notary;
(2) whether a Notarial Certificate is required;
(3) whether authentication with Singapore Academy of Law is required;
(4) whether legalisation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required; and (5) whether legalization by the foreign embassy in Singapore is required.

There will be prescribed professional costs for each stage, and additional charges and disbursements for additonal services rendered.

Read more: What should I do prior to engaging a Notary Public?