Worth knowing
What a Singapore Notary Public Certifies, and What a Notary Cannot
A Singapore Notary Public certifies facts they have personally witnessed: who signed, that they signed freely and understood the document, or that a copy matches an original they have seen. The notary does not certify that your document's contents are true.
Notaries are senior lawyers appointed by the Singapore Academy of Law; SAL's appointment criteria require at least 15 years' experience in legal practice or legal service. Their work is aimed at documents going abroad. Typical notarial acts we carry out:
- Witnessing signatures on powers of attorney, consent letters, agreements and forms
- Attestation of execution of deeds and documents signed by several parties
- Oaths and declarations for affidavits and statutory declarations used outside Singapore
- Certified true copies of passports, certificates and corporate records
- Verifying corporate signing authority when a director signs for a company
What a notary cannot do matters just as much:
- Confirm that a statement in your declaration is true; the declaration is your statement, made under your responsibility
- Sign or appear on your behalf, or accept a document you signed earlier elsewhere
- Guarantee acceptance abroad, or advise whether a document achieves what you need under foreign law
- Make a notarised document valid overseas on its own: SAL states that a notarised document without its authentication is considered invalid
A notary may also refuse to act if identity, understanding or free will is in doubt, or if a document appears altered.
Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths: Which One Your Document Needs
Where the document will be used decides it. A Commissioner for Oaths handles affidavits and statutory declarations for use in Singapore; a Notary Public handles documents for use outside Singapore, including those that need SAL legalisation.
| Commissioner for Oaths | Notary Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the document is used | Singapore | Overseas |
| Typical documents | Affidavits for Singapore courts, statutory declarations for Singapore agencies | POAs, declarations and affidavits for foreign authorities, company documents, certified copies |
| Appointed by | Singapore Academy of Law | Singapore Academy of Law |
| Minimum experience (lawyers) | 10 years | 15 years |
| Can the document be sent to SAL for an apostille? | Not for overseas use | Yes: SAL authenticates the notary's signature and seal |
| Foreign-language documents | Not within the role | A notary can witness documents in foreign languages |
The mix-up usually happens in two directions. Some people take an overseas statutory declaration to a Commissioner for Oaths because it is cheaper, then find SAL cannot legalise it. Others book a notary for a declaration that a Singapore agency wanted, paying for a chain they never needed.
If the receiving country insists on its own format (Malaysian land offices, for example, want declarations under Malaysian law), the notary is still the right officer, but the wording must follow that country's form. Our declarations page covers these cases.
Sign in Front of the Notary, Not Before: How the Appointment Runs
Leave the document unsigned until you are in front of the notary. The notary must see you sign, so a document signed at home has to be re-executed, or a fresh copy printed, at the appointment.
At the time of writing, our notarisations take place in person, at our office or through a mobile notary visit; we do not notarise over video. The appointment itself follows the same pattern every time:
- Identity. The notary checks your original NRIC or passport against the name in the document.
- Understanding. You confirm you know what the document does. If you do not read its language, an interpreter or translation is arranged beforehand.
- Free will. The notary satisfies themselves that no one is pressuring you; family members may be asked to step out.
- Signing. You sign and date each place required, in the notary's presence.
- Certificate. The notary completes, signs and seals the notarial certificate and binds it to the document.
Most individual appointments take 15–20 minutes, and a slot is usually available the same or next working day. Company signings take longer because authority has to be checked first.
After Notarisation: SAL Authentication and the Embassy Step
Once notarised, the document goes to the Singapore Academy of Law for authentication. The S$87.20 SAL fee (including GST, at the time of writing) is paid through the notary, and SAL attaches an apostille to the notarial certificate.
For a Convention country, that is normally the end of the process; our SAL apostille service explains how to decide. For destinations such as the UAE, Qatar or Malaysia, the document then goes to that country's embassy in Singapore, as set out on our embassy attestation page. We can take it through both steps after your appointment.
| Charge | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Certified true copy, notarised | From S$189 per document, including the notary fee and the S$87.20 SAL fee |
| Declaration, affidavit or signature, notarised | From S$219 per declaration, including the notary fee and the S$87.20 SAL fee |
| Commissioner for Oaths (for use in Singapore only) | From S$35 per declaration |
| Embassy step (non-Hague countries) | From S$99 per document, plus the embassy fee at cost |
| Mobile visit (optional) | From S$89 per visit; +S$39 after 6pm, at weekends and on public holidays |
| Pickup or delivery (optional) | From S$12 each, per order |
The prices shown above are starting prices. Your final price depends on the document type, number of pages and destination country, and will be confirmed in a written quotation before any work begins.
Notarisation Questions From First-Time Clients
Where can I notarise a document in Singapore?
At our office at 7 Temasek Boulevard, #12-07 Suntec Tower One, Singapore 038987 (Mon–Fri 9am–9pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm), or at your home, office, hospital or hotel through a mobile visit. Either way, you sign in front of the notary.
Can I sign the document before I come?
Please do not. The notary has to witness the signature, so a pre-signed document will need to be signed again on a fresh copy.
Do I need my passport, or is my NRIC enough?
Either original is usually fine, provided the name matches the document. Some receivers specify a passport; check their instructions.
Can the notary draft my power of attorney?
We can check that a draft is complete and fits the notarial process. If the receiver requires specific wording, use their template or ask a lawyer in the destination country.
Is notarisation enough, or do I also need SAL?
For overseas use, SAL authentication normally follows. Only skip it if the receiver has confirmed in writing that a notarised document alone is acceptable.
Can a notary notarise a document in Chinese or Arabic?
A notary can witness foreign-language documents, provided you understand what you are signing. SAL, however, needs English or bilingual text, so a translation may be needed.
Can my family member sign for me?
Only if they hold a valid power of attorney that covers it and the receiver accepts that. The notary will not accept anyone signing in another person's name otherwise.
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Disclaimer: We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice on the contents or effect of your documents. Acceptance is decided by the receiving authority or embassy. Fees and rules are stated as of the "Last verified" date and may change. Last verified: 1 October 2026.