Legalization and apostille of documents in Singapore

With effect from 16 September 2021, the Hague Apostille Convention of 5 October 1961 came into force in Singapore, making it possible for clients who need to provide documents issued in Singapore to countries party to the Hague Convention to apply an apostille without mandatory consular legalization.

According to the Hague Convention, the following documents are considered official documents:

Including documents originating from a prosecutor, court clerk or bailiff.

Documents emanating from an organ or official subject to the jurisdiction of a State

Administrative documents

Official documents involved in administrative processes (orders, decrees, letters, instructions, etc.)

Notarial acts

Official certifying inscriptions on documents

Any written statement of facts drawn up by a notary public.
Acts such as the certification of transactions, the execution of a will or power of attorney, etc.

Such as official certificates of incorporation of a document or of its existence on a specified date, and official and notarized certifications of signatures.

The Hague Convention does not apply:

For documents originating from employees of diplomatic missions or consular offices;

On administrative documents related to commercial transactions or customs operations;

Private documents (powers of attorney, wills, etc.)