Our Services
End-to-end corporate services for businesses
at every stage
Notarisation and Legalisation Services
Documents prepared in Singapore are not automatically recognised by authorities overseas. Before a power of attorney, board resolution, or personal certificate can be relied upon in another country, it often needs to be notarised and, in many cases, further authenticated through an apostille or consular legalisation.
We coordinate the notarisation and legalisation of documents on behalf of individuals and businesses, working with a notary public and the relevant authorities so that your documents are accepted where they need to go.
When You Need Notarisation or Legalisation
You may need a document notarised and legalised when it is being submitted to a foreign authority, bank, court, or business counterparty, and that recipient requires proof that the document — and the signature on it — is genuine. Common situations include:
- Opening a bank account or setting up a corporate entity overseas
- Executing a power of attorney for use in another jurisdiction
- Submitting company documents as part of an overseas transaction or tender
- Providing certified true copies of incorporation or statutory documents to foreign regulators
- Using personal documents — such as education certificates or civil status documents — overseas
Our Notarisation and Legalisation Services
We support clients through the full authentication chain, including:
- Arranging notarisation of documents by a notary public
- Certifying true copies of company and personal documents
- Applying for an apostille through the Singapore Academy of Law, where the destination country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention
- Coordinating consular legalisation with the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant foreign embassy or consulate, where the destination country is not a Convention party
- Advising on which authentication route applies to your document and destination
- Managing document logistics and liaison throughout the process
Notarisation of Documents
Notarisation is usually the first step. A notary public verifies the identity of the signatory, witnesses the signing (or acknowledgement) of the document, and certifies it accordingly. For copies of original documents, the notary public certifies that the copy is a true copy of the original.
We coordinate the notarisation appointment, help prepare the necessary supporting documents and identification, and advise on the specific certification format required by the receiving country or institution.
Apostille & Consular Legalisation
Once notarised, many documents require a further layer of authentication before they will be accepted overseas.
Since Singapore's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention, documents destined for other Convention member countries can be authenticated with a single apostille certificate, issued by the Singapore Academy of Law. For documents destined for non-Convention countries, the traditional consular legalisation chain still applies — typically authentication by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by legalisation at the relevant foreign embassy or consulate in Singapore.
We help determine the correct route for your destination country and manage the submission and collection process on your behalf.
Our Process
- Initial consultation We identify the document involved, its destination country, and the purpose for which it is required, so we can advise on the correct authentication route.
- Document preparation We advise on the format, content, and any supporting documents or identification required before the document can be notarised.
- Notarisation We arrange for the document to be signed, witnessed, or certified as a true copy by a notary public.
- Apostille or consular legalisation Depending on the destination country, we submit the document for an apostille through the Singapore Academy of Law, or coordinate consular legalisation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant embassy.
- Collection and handover Once authentication is complete, we collect the document and hand it over to you, ready for use overseas.
Why Choose Us
Navigating notarisation and legalisation requirements can be confusing, particularly when different countries require different authentication routes. We help you avoid unnecessary delays by identifying the correct process upfront, and manage the coordination between the notary public, government authorities, and foreign missions on your behalf.
Whether you need a single document notarised or a full set of corporate documents authenticated for an overseas transaction, our team is here to guide you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between notarisation and legalisation?
Notarisation is the certification of a document, signature, or declaration by a notary public — confirming that it was signed by the stated person, or that a copy is a true copy of the original. Legalisation is a separate, later step that authenticates the document for use in another country, so that the foreign authority recognises it as genuine.
2. What is an apostille?
An apostille is a standardised certificate that authenticates a public document for use in another country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Singapore acceded to the Convention in 2021, and apostilles for Singapore documents are issued by the Singapore Academy of Law. For countries that are not party to the Convention, documents typically require consular legalisation instead.
3. How do I know if my destination country needs an apostille or consular legalisation?
This depends on whether the destination country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. We help you confirm the correct authentication route for your specific document and destination before starting the process.
4. What documents commonly require notarisation or legalisation?
Common examples include powers of attorney, board resolutions, certificates of incorporation, commercial invoices, education certificates, and personal documents such as birth or marriage certificates, where these are to be used or relied upon overseas.
5. Can you notarise documents for use by my company overseas?
Yes. We regularly assist companies with the notarisation and legalisation of corporate documents — such as board resolutions, powers of attorney, and certified true copies of statutory documents — for use in overseas transactions, bank account openings, and regulatory filings.
6. How long does the notarisation and legalisation process take?
Timelines vary depending on the type of document, whether an apostille or consular legalisation is required, and the processing times of the relevant authorities and foreign embassies involved. We will provide an estimated timeline once we understand your specific requirements.
7. Do I need to be present in person for notarisation?
In most cases, the signatory needs to appear before the notary public to sign the document or acknowledge their signature. We can advise on the specific requirements for your situation, including options where in-person attendance is not practical.
8. Can you assist with documents originating outside Singapore?
Our core service covers documents notarised and legalised for use from Singapore. Where a document originates overseas, we can advise on the appropriate authentication route or refer you to a suitable professional in the relevant jurisdiction.
Get Your Documents Ready for Use Overseas
Let us handle the notarisation and legalisation process for you, so your documents are accepted wherever they need to go.
Talk to Us Today →READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Contact Us
Get in touch with our friendly staff and we will get back to you within one business day.