When Australian documents need to be recognised in Singapore — for business, legal, or personal purposes — they often must first be notarised by a Notary Public. This process confirms that the document is genuine, the signature is authentic, and the document can be accepted by Singaporean authorities.
1. When You Need Notarisation
Common situations where notarisation is required include:
- Corporate and business documents
- Powers of attorney for Singapore subsidiaries
- Certificates of incorporation, constitutions, and director resolutions
- Share transfer forms and commercial contracts
- Personal documents
- Passports, driver’s licences, and proof of address for banking or property matters
- Educational certificates and transcripts for employment or study
- Statutory declarations or affidavits to be filed in Singapore proceedings
- Property and finance
- Mortgage, lease, or transfer of property agreements
- Banking or loan documents required by Singaporean institutions
If you are asked for “certified true copies,” “notarised documents,” or a document with an Apostille or Authentication Certificate, notarisation is usually the first step.
2. The Legalisation Pathway for Singapore
Singapore is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This simplifies the legalisation process compared to countries that require embassy authentication.
The typical steps are:
- Notarisation by an Australian Notary Public
- The notary verifies your identity and, if required, witnesses your signature or certifies a true copy.
- The notary then affixes their official seal and signature.
- Authentication by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- DFAT checks the notary’s appointment and issues an Apostille for documents going to Singapore.
- Use in Singapore
- Once the Apostille is attached, Singaporean authorities will generally accept the document without further certification.
Tip: If your document is already issued by an Australian government department (e.g., birth or marriage certificate), DFAT can apostille it directly — but for private or legal documents, a notary’s certification is usually required first.
3. Preparing for Notarisation
To make the process efficient:
- Bring proper identification
Your current passport or Australian driver’s licence is typically required. - Bring the original document
If you need a “certified true copy,” the notary must sight the original. - Confirm with the Singaporean recipient
Check exactly what they need — some authorities require an Apostille, others may simply need a notarised copy. - Allow time
DFAT’s apostille service is usually fast (1–3 business days for in-person lodgement) but can take longer during peak periods or if postal lodgement is used.
4. Costs
Fees vary depending on the type of document and the notary’s pricing, but you can expect:
- Notary fees: Per document or per signature (often AUD $100–$200 for common certifications, more for complex transactions).
- DFAT Apostille fee: Currently AUD $98 per document (as of 2025).
- Courier/postage costs: If you need express return or international shipping.
5. Practical Advice
- Bundle documents: If you have multiple pages or copies, ask whether they can be bound and notarised together to reduce cost.
- Electronic copies: Some Singaporean bodies accept notarised scans, but check first — hard copies are usually safest.
- Business documents: Directors should bring company extracts (e.g., ASIC record) if signing on behalf of a company.
- Avoid delays: Make sure names and details on your documents match your passport or company records exactly.
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