- 96922522
- 96922522
- enquiry@tanleeandchoo.com.sg
- Mon - Fri: 9:30am - 5:00pm
When you need a document authenticated for use overseas — whether it’s for an embassy, a foreign bank, an international court, or a university abroad — a Notary Public is the professional you need. At Tan, Lee & Choo, our notaries public have over 50 years of combined experience authenticating documents for individuals and businesses across Singapore.
Notarisation confirms that a document is genuine, that a signature was made by the person it claims to be, or that a copy is a true copy of an original. This authentication is often required by foreign governments, banks, universities, and courts before they will accept a Singapore-issued document for use overseas.
A Notary Public is a lawyer specially appointed by the Board of Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public to authenticate documents for international use. Unlike a Commissioner for Oaths (who handles documents used only within Singapore), a Notary Public can authenticate documents for cross-border recognition and use.
Not every lawyer is a Notary Public — it’s a separate appointment on top of being an Advocate and Solicitor. Our 2 lawyers at Tan, Lee & Choo are both fully qualified Notary Publics, fluent in English, Mandarin, Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, and Teochew.
Common situations where clients come to us for notary services include:
Our notarisation process is straightforward and transparent:
Notaries generally need to see originals, not just photocopies, to certify a true copy or witness a signature.
At your appointment, our Notary Public will verify your identity using your original identification (NRIC or passport). If your signature needs to be witnessed, you will sign the document in their presence.
The Notary Public issues a formal Notarial Certificate, securely binding it to your document with a ribbon and sealing it with the notary’s official seal.
If the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the notarised document typically needs to be sent on to the Singapore Academy of Law for apostille. If the destination country is not a Convention member, it may instead require legalisation at that country’s embassy in Singapore.
Once complete, documents can be collected from our office at People’s Park Complex or arrangements made for courier.
These three terms are often confused, but they serve different purposes:
Notarisation is the authentication of a document or signature by a Notary Public. The notary verifies identities, witnesses signatures, and certifies that a copy is a true copy of the original.
An Apostille is an additional layer of authentication issued by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) for documents destined for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille certifies that the notary’s signature and seal are genuine, so the receiving country doesn’t need to verify it separately through its embassy.
Legalisation is required for documents going to countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention. It involves notarisation, SAL authentication, and then legalisation by that country’s embassy or consulate in Singapore—a more complex and time-consuming process.
Our notaries public are experienced in authenticating a wide range of documents, including:
If you’re unsure whether your document can be notarised, contact us—we can advise you on the best approach.
| Service | Fee (SGD) | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Notarial Certificate (Mandatory) | $75 | Same day (office visit) |
| Witnessing of Signature (Individual) | $40 | Same day |
| Witnessing of second party to same document | $20 | Same day |
| Witnessing of Signature (Company Representative) | $150 | Same day |
| Certification of True Copy (First Page) | $10 | Same day |
| Certification of True Copy (From 2nd Page Onwards) | $2 per page | Same day |
| Authentication by SAL (GST inclusive) | $87.20 | 1–2 working days |
| Apostille Certificate (via SAL) | SAL rates apply | 1–2 working days after authentication |
| Embassy Legalisation (non-Apostille countries) | Varies by embassy | Several days to weeks |
The fees for legalisation for non-Hague Convention countries vary by country. For out-of-office attesting Notary Public services, please contact us for a quote.
While we do not offer translation of documents, we can put you in touch with translators whom we have worked with. Thereafter, we can assist with the notarisation of translated documents.
For the renunciation of Indonesian citizenships and requests for translations of related documents, please contact Mr Zaimuddin Anwar directly at 96505794 with your enquiries. Please note that previous practices regarding Indonesian citizenship renunciation are no longer applicable, but we can assist with notarising translated documents.
Notary public fees are prescribed by law, so the base fees are standard across all law firms. A notarial certificate costs S$75, witnessing a signature costs S$40 per individual, and SAL apostille authentication costs S$87.20 (GST inclusive). Total costs depend on the number of documents, pages, and signatories involved.
Bring your original identification document (NRIC or passport) for identity verification, and the complete, unsigned documents that need to be notarised. If your signature needs to be witnessed, do not sign the document before your appointment—you must sign it in the notary’s presence.
Notarisation typically takes 30 to 45 minutes at our office. If you need an apostille from the Singapore Academy of Law, allow an additional 1 to 2 working days for SAL processing. Embassy legalisation, if required, may take longer depending on the specific embassy’s processing times.
Notarisation is the process performed by a Notary Public to authenticate signatures or certify documents. An apostille is an additional certification issued by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) that confirms the authenticity of the notary’s signature and seal for use in Hague Apostille Convention countries.
We’re located at #04-04 People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Road, Singapore 059108, just a short walk from Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19). We see clients by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm.
Yes. Our lawyers at Tan, Lee & Choo hold both appointments and act in the appropriate capacity depending on what your document requires. If you’re unsure which service you need, we can advise you based on where your document is going.
For non-Convention countries (such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam), your document will likely require embassy legalisation after notarisation and SAL authentication. We can advise you on the specific requirements for your destination country and guide you through the process.
Contact us at +65 6535 6077 or WhatsApp +65 9692 2522. We recommend booking at least a day or two in advance to ensure a notary is available. When you call, let us know what documents you need notarised and where they’re going—this helps us provide an accurate quote and ensure everything is prepared for your appointment.
To make an appointment for our notarisation services from Monday to Friday, please call our land line +65 6535 6077, between 9:30am to 5:00pm, and ask for either Wendy or Florence.
For after-office hours and weekend enquires, please WhatsApp us at 96922522 or email enquiry@tanleeandchoo.com.sg.