The Essential Guide to notarisation of documents in Singapore- Notary in the East.

 

Notarisation is an important legal process in Singapore that authenticates documents and signatures. It provides an extra layer of assurance and security for important agreements and transactions. Here is an essential guide to understanding notarisation and how to get documents notarised in Singapore:

What is Notarisation?

Notarisation is the act of having a signature on a legal document certified by a notary public. The notary verifies the identity of the person signing the document and witnesses their signature. This signature verification process converts a private document into a public document.

Some common documents that require notarisation in Singapore include powers of attorney, declarations, affidavits, and copies of identification documents. Notarising these documents helps prevent fraud and provides a way to verify that signatures are genuine.

Why Notarise Documents?

There are several important reasons to notarise documents:

1) Adds an extra layer of authenticity - The notary's stamp and signature ensure the documents are legally verified. This can help reduce disputes over the validity of a document.

2) Allows documents to be used internationally - Many countries require notarised documents for legal processes like patents, trademarks, immigration, etc. Notarisation allows the documents to be legally recognized globally.

3) Required for certain transactions - Certain government agencies and financial institutions in Singapore require notarised paperwork for major transactions like property transfers.

4) Deters fraud - The presence of a notary makes it harder for documents to be tampered with or forged. This protects all parties involved.

 

Who Can Notarise Documents in Singapore?

The only person authorised to notarise documents in Singapore is a Public Notary appointed by the Supreme Court. There are a limited number of Public Notaries and they usually work at law firms.

To find an available notary, you can check with major law firms in Singapore. The Law Society of Singapore also provides a register of notaries and their contact details on their website.

What is the Notarisation Process?

The process for notarising documents typically includes:

Contact and hire a notary public

Appear before the notary with original documents and identification

Sign the documents in the notary's presence

Notary will verify identities and witness the signature

Notary stamps and signs the documents to complete notarisation

Notary provides notarised copies of the documents

It's important that you only sign the documents in front of the notary. Any signatures done before meeting the notary cannot be verified.

How Much Does Notarisation Cost in Singapore?

With effect from 15 February 2017, it is mandatory by law for a Notary Public to issue a Notarial Certificate for documents attested to or certified as true copies by a Notary Public.

 

Pursuant to the Singapore Academy of Law (Amendment) Rules 2019 and Notaries Public (Amendment) Rules 2019, which took effect on 1 October 2019, the Notarial Certificate can only be issued via SAL’s e-Register upon payment of the authentication fee of $86.40. A Notary Public is obliged to obtain payment of this amount on behalf of the Singapore Academy of Law.

 

Notaries in the East have similar document authentication roles but greater legal powers due to stricter appointment criteria and processes. They play a key legal role across many aspects of society.