How Notarisation Works in Singapore
A step-by-step guide to the notarisation process, from determining your requirements to collecting your Apostille.
Four Service Variants
The notarisation process differs depending on the type of service you require. Select your service type below to view the step-by-step process.
Certified True Copy — Physical Document
For physical documents such as passports, degree certificates, and hardcopy documents.
Get a Quote
Use the CTC fee calculator to obtain a quote.
Book an Appointment
Book a notary appointment at a time convenient for you.
Attend with Original Document
Bring the original physical document, photocopies, and valid identification (passport or NRIC) to our office.
Notary Public Certifies the Copy
The Notary Public sights and verifies the original, certifies the copy, and issues a Notarial Certificate.
Apostille Issued
The Notary Public applies to SAL for an Apostille. Choose physical Apostille or e-Apostille (if the overseas recipient accepts).
Certified True Copy — Digital Document
For digital documents such as ACRA Business Profiles, digital certificates, and PDF files.
Get a Quote
Use the CTC fee calculator to obtain a quote.
Submit the Digital Document
Submit the digital document by email or upload. Contact our office to confirm whether physical attendance is required for your specific document.
Confirm Attendance Requirement
Our office will confirm whether physical attendance is required for your digitally verifiable CTC. Some digital documents (e.g. ACRA) may proceed without attendance after confirmation. This is not remote witnessing — signature witnessing always requires the signer in person (or an in-Singapore outcall) with wet ink; Zoom/video witnessing is not offered.
Notary Public Verifies and Certifies
The Notary Public verifies the digital document (e.g. via ACRA’s verification system for Business Profiles), certifies the copy, and issues a Notarial Certificate.
Apostille Issued
The Notary Public applies to SAL for an Apostille. Choose physical Apostille or e-Apostille (if the overseas recipient accepts).
Witnessing of Signature — Wet Ink
For documents that must be signed in the physical presence of the Notary Public.
Get a Quote
Use the witnessing fee calculator to obtain a quote.
Book an Appointment
Book a notary appointment at a time convenient for you.
Attend with Unsigned Document
Bring the unsigned document and valid identification (passport or NRIC). Do not sign the document before your appointment.
Sign Before the Notary Public
Sign the document in the physical presence of the Notary Public. The Notary Public witnesses your signature and issues a Notarial Certificate.
Apostille Issued
The Notary Public applies to SAL for an Apostille. Choose physical Apostille or e-Apostille (if the overseas recipient accepts).
For Certified True Copies (CTC)
Follow these steps if you need the Notary Public to certify copies of your original documents for overseas use.
Determine Your Requirements
Check what the overseas recipient requires. Confirm whether the recipient needs a certified true copy (CTC) of your documents. Review any specific instructions from the overseas authority regarding the format, number of copies, and whether an Apostille is required.
Get a Quote
Use the CTC fee calculator to obtain a quote for your certified true copy requirements. Notary Public fees in Singapore are prescribed by law, ensuring transparency and consistency.
Book an Appointment
Book a notary appointment online at a time that is convenient for you. An appointment is required to ensure the Notary Public can attend to your documents.
Visit Our Office with Original Documents and Copies
Attend at our office with your original documents and photocopies of each document. You will also need to bring valid identification (passport or NRIC). The Notary Public will examine the original documents and compare them against the photocopies.
Notary Public Certifies Copies and Issues Notarial Certificate
The Notary Public will certify the photocopies as true copies of the original documents and issue a Notarial Certificate. The Notarial Certificate is a formal document bearing the Notary Public's signature and seal, confirming that the copies are true and accurate representations of the originals.
Notary Public Applies to SAL for Apostille
The Notary Public will apply to the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) for an Apostille certificate. The Apostille authenticates the Notary Public's signature and seal for use in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. The Apostille fee is $80 + GST per Apostille, payable to SAL.
Collect Your Apostille
The Apostille is issued separately by SAL and is collected directly from SAL — not from our office. Please refer to SAL's legalisation website for collection arrangements and contact details.
For Witnessing & Attestation
Follow these steps if you need to sign documents in the presence of the Notary Public for overseas use.
Determine Your Requirements
Check what the overseas recipient requires. Confirm whether the recipient needs your signature to be witnessed or attested by a Notary Public. Review any specific instructions regarding the documents and whether an Apostille is required.
Get a Quote
Use the witnessing fee calculator to obtain a quote. Each document that requires witnessing will need an individual Notarial Certificate. Notary Public fees are prescribed by law.
Book an Appointment
Book a notary appointment online at a time that is convenient for you. An appointment is required to ensure the Notary Public can attend to your documents.
Visit Our Office with Unsigned Documents and Identification
Attend at our office with your unsigned documents and valid identification (passport or NRIC). Do not sign the documents before your appointment. The Notary Public must witness your signature in person.
Sign Documents in the Presence of the Notary Public
You will sign each document in the presence of the Notary Public. The Notary Public will verify your identity and witness your signature on each document.
Notary Public Issues Individual Notarial Certificate for Each Document
The Notary Public will issue an individual Notarial Certificate for each witnessed document. Each Notarial Certificate bears the Notary Public's signature and seal, confirming that your signature was witnessed.
Notary Public Applies to SAL for Individual Apostille per Document
The Notary Public will apply to the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) for an individual Apostille for each witnessed document. Each Apostille authenticates the corresponding Notarial Certificate. The Apostille fee is $80 + GST per Apostille, payable to SAL.
Collect Your Apostille(s)
The Apostille(s) are issued separately by SAL and are collected directly from SAL — not from our office. Please refer to SAL's legalisation website for collection arrangements and contact details.
For e-Apostille (Electronic Apostille)
Follow these steps if the overseas recipient accepts the e-Apostille. The process is the same as physical Apostille up to the notarisation stage, but the Apostille is issued electronically.
Important Advisory
Before opting for the e-Apostille, please confirm with the overseas recipient that they will accept the e-Apostille for the intended purpose. If the recipient has not confirmed acceptance, a physical Apostille will be issued instead.
Confirm with the Overseas Recipient
Check with the overseas recipient whether they will accept the e-Apostille for the intended purpose. This must be confirmed before proceeding with the e-Apostille option. If the recipient does not accept the e-Apostille, a physical Apostille will be issued instead.
Determine Your Requirements and Get a Quote
Confirm what documents the overseas recipient requires. Use the fee calculators to obtain a quote for the notarisation. The e-Apostille fee is $80 + GST ($87.20) per certificate, the same as the physical Apostille fee.
Book an Appointment
Book a notary appointment online. You will need to attend at the Notary Public's office in person, as the e-Apostille process still requires the Notary Public to verify your documents and identity.
Visit Our Office with Your Documents
Attend at our office with your original documents and copies (for CTC) or unsigned documents (for witnessing), together with valid identification (passport or NRIC). The Notary Public will verify your documents and identity.
Notary Public Notarises and Uploads Documents
The Notary Public will certify or witness your documents and create an electronic Notarial Certificate (e-NC). The documents are uploaded to SAL’s legalisation portal for the issuance of the e-Apostille.
Receive Email from SAL
You will receive an email from SAL with a link to access your e-Apostille documents. Follow the instructions in the email to access your documents via OTP verification.
Access and Forward Your e-Apostille
Access your e-Apostille documents via OTP verification and forward them to the overseas recipient. The overseas recipient can verify the e-Apostille electronically.
What to Bring
Ensure you have the following items when you attend your notary appointment.
For Certified True Copies (CTC)
- Original documents
- Photocopies of each document
- Valid identification (passport or NRIC)
For Witnessing & Attestation
- Unsigned documents (do not sign before your appointment)
- Valid identification (passport or NRIC)
Important Notes About Apostille Collection
- The Apostille is issued by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) and is not available on the same day as your notarisation appointment. The Apostille is a separate process that takes additional time.
- You will be notified when your Apostille is ready for collection. The Apostille must be collected directly from SAL, not from our office.
- The Apostille fee of $80 + GST per Apostille is payable to the Singapore Academy of Law. This fee is in addition to the Notary Public fees for notarisation.
- The e-Apostille is available as an alternative to the physical Apostille. The e-Apostille fee is the same as the physical Apostille fee ($80 + GST per certificate). Before opting for the e-Apostille, confirm with the overseas recipient that they will accept it. If the recipient does not accept, a physical Apostille will be issued instead. Learn more about e-Apostille.
- Under Singapore law, the Apostille is mandatory for all notarised documents. You cannot opt out of the Apostille when obtaining notarisation.
- For witnessing and attestation, each document requires an individual Notarial Certificate and a separate Apostille. The Apostille fee applies to each Apostille individually.
- Please ensure you bring all required documents and identification to your appointment. Incomplete documents may result in a delay to the notarisation process.