Call us at 6521 4550 - Need to notarise documents for overseas use? Xavier & Associates LLC (X&A) explains the notarisation process in Singapore, and how to ensure your documents are legally accepted abroad.

Notarising Documents for Use Overseas: What You Need to Know

Notarising Singapore Documents | Xavier & Associates LLC

Notarisation is most likely required if you are sending documents from Singapore to another country for legal, business, educational, or employment purposes. However, notarisation is only the first step. Documents typically need to be legalised or authenticated to be formally accepted for foreign processing.

To ensure that your document is completed accurately and accepted globally, we at X&A assist both individuals and businesses with the entire process of notarising in Singapore. Here are some of the things you should be aware of.

What Does Notarisation Mean?

Notarisation is the process where a Singapore Notary Public: 

(a) attests to the authenticity of a document; or 

(b) that a document was signed in their presence. 

This helps to establish a document’s legitimacy and the identity of the signatory, when it is sent abroad for a formal purpose. 

Documents that typically require notarization include:

(i) powers of attorney for real estate transactions abroad;

(ii) copies of academic certificates and transcripts;

(iii) affidavits, statutory declarations, or other similar witness depositions;

(iv) copies of corporate documents (Certificates of Incorporation, Constitution, board or shareholder resolutions, etc.);

(v) copies of photo identification documents such as passports, identification cards, and driver’s licences.

When Is Legalisation or Authentication Required?

1. Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) authentication:

Authentication and legalisation by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) is mandatory for all documents notarised in Singapore. The SAL will do so by issuing an Apostille which is affixed to the back of the Notarial Certificate, to confirm the notary’s credentials.  An notarised document which has been issued with an Apostille can be presented outside of Singapore in any member country of the Apostille Convention and will be accepted as a document containing legitimate legal signatures or seals. Click here to check whether a country is a member of the Apostille Convention. Click here to read about authentication by the SAL.

2. Legalisation by the Foreign Embassy/Consulate:

If the document is intended for use in countries that are not signatories to the Apostille Convention, an additional step of legalisation will often be required by the country’s foreign mission in Singapore (e.g. a notarised power of attorney sent to Indonesia typically requires notarisation, SAL authentication, and embassy legalisation.)

How Much Time Does Notarisation Take?

Notarisation: an appointment can be made for the same day or the following day, subject to the Notary Public’s availability.

SAL (authentication): usually takes one to two business days, subject to the SAL’s operating hours.

Embassy Legalisation: anywhere from the same day to several days or even weeks, depending on the embassy’s operating hours, workload, and availability. Some embassies only accept legalisation appointments on specific days.

At X&A, we have expedited service options and can make the necessary arrangements with the SAL and the embassies on your behalf.

Why Use a Law Firm Like Xavier & Associates LLC for Notarisation?

Accredited Notary Public: Our notary is properly appointed and authorized under Singapore law.

Experience with Various Jurisdictions: We’re familiar with documentary requirements in key countries across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.

Quick Turnaround: We offer emergency notarisation appointments.

Onsite or Home Service: We offer onsite services at your home or office. 

End-to-End Process Management: We deal with the process from notarisation through authentication to embassy liaison so you don’t need to. We can also perform on-site services and return the processed documents to you at your home or office. If a translation is required, we can arrange the same for you. 

Typical Notarisation Scenarios

  • Students submitting copies of academic transcripts to apply to foreign universities
  • Businesses undertaking foreign commercial transactions requiring validation of documentation
  • Individuals granting foreign powers of attorney to authorise agents to deal with their overseas property
  • Individuals providing copies of photo identification and proofs of address to verify their identity for foreign banks
  • Professionals seeking immigration or licensing abroad

Typical Documents for Notarisation

  • Passports and other identification documents
  • Utility bills and proofs of address
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Affidavits/Oaths
  • Statutory Declarations 
  • Academic transcripts and certificates 
  • Marriage certificates
  • Birth certificates 
  • Property sales and purchases
  • Loan agreements
  • Driver’s licence application forms
  • Bills of sale
  • Bank statements
  • Commercial documents
  • Company documents such as certificates of standing, certificate of incorporation, company constitution, memorandum & articles of association

Get Started Today

If you need your documents notarised for use abroad, don’t take a chance. Assign it to a firm that is familiar with the process from start to finish. 

Contact us for a quote or book an appointment: 

Click here for our standard notarisation fees. 

Please send a copy of the document you need notarised with your enquiry, so we can provide you with an accurate quote.

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