How to obtain an apostille in Singapore
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Singapore is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, which means Singapore public documents can be authenticated for overseas use with an apostille, without the need for embassy or consular legalisation—so long as the destination country is also a Convention member.
This guide explains what an apostille is, who issues it in Singapore, which documents qualify, and the step-by-step process.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a standardised certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention that verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on a public document. Once apostilled, the document is recognised in all other Convention countries without further authentication.
An apostille confirms a document’s official origin, not the truth or accuracy of its contents.
Singapore’s apostille authority
In Singapore, apostilles are issued by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL).
SAL took over apostille issuance following Singapore’s accession to the Convention, replacing the old Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation process for Convention countries. Apostilles are issued for use outside Singapore in other Hague Convention states.
Documents that can be apostilled in Singapore
Civil and personal documents
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Certificates of no criminal conviction (COC)
- Court documents and judgments
Educational documents
- Degrees and diplomas
- Academic transcripts
- Certificates of graduation or enrolment
(Educational documents may require prior certification by the issuing institution.)
Legal and commercial documents
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits and statutory declarations
- Company registry extracts (e.g. ACRA documents)
- Articles of incorporation
- Notarised contracts and statements
Important:
Private documents must be notarised by a Singapore Notary Public before SAL will issue an apostille.
Step-by-step: how to obtain an apostille in Singapore
Step 1: Prepare the document
Ensure you have:
- The original public document, or
- A properly certified true copy
For private or commercial documents, arrange notarisation by a Singapore Notary Public first.
Step 2: Translation (if required)
If the document will be used overseas:
- Many receiving authorities require an English translation (or the destination country’s official language).
- Translations are typically prepared before apostille, and both the original and translation may be apostilled if required.
Step 3: Submit the apostille application to SAL
Applications are made through the Singapore Academy of Law. Singapore operates a streamlined, largely digital workflow, and apostilles can be verified online by recipients.
You will generally need:
- The document(s) to be apostilled
- Applicant identification or authorisation (if using an agent)
- Payment of the applicable fee
Authorised agents may apply on behalf of applicants, which is common for overseas users.
Step 4: Apostille issuance
Once approved, SAL issues an apostille certificate, typically attached to the document or electronically associated with it. Processing times are usually short, often within a few business days.
Step 5: Use the apostilled document overseas
The apostilled document can now be used directly in any other Hague Apostille Convention country without further legalisation.
Apostille vs embassy legalisation in Singapore
| Situation | Correct process |
|---|---|
| Document used in a Hague Convention country | Apostille (via SAL) |
| Document used in a non-Convention country | Embassy / consular legalisation |
| Document used within Singapore | No apostille required |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an apostille for a non-Convention country
Always confirm the destination country’s Hague status. - Skipping notarisation for private documents
SAL will not apostille unsigned or informal documents. - Incorrect translation sequencing
Translations completed after apostille may invalidate the certification.
Practical tips
- Apostilles do not expire, but receiving institutions (immigration authorities, courts, banks) may impose their own validity periods.
- Keep both hard copies and digital scans—Singapore apostilles can be verified electronically, which helps with overseas acceptance.
- If you are outside Singapore, appointing a Singapore-based agent or notary can save time and avoid resubmissions.