Guide · 16 April 2026 · 2 min read
Apostille vs notarisation in Singapore: what is the difference?
People often confuse apostilles and notarisation. Here is how they differ, when you need each, and how Singapore handles them.
Key points
- Notarisation: a Notary Public certifies your document or witnesses your signature.
- Apostille: the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) then confirms the notarisation, so other Apostille Convention countries accept it.
- Countries outside the Convention need SAL authentication plus legalisation by their embassy instead.
- The SAL fee is $87.20 including GST, usually arranged through your notary.
In this guide
Been asked to "get an apostille" or "get it notarised"? The two are related but not the same, and what you need depends on where the document is going.
What is notarisation?
A Notary Public certifies that a copy matches the original, or that you signed a document in front of them, and attaches a Notarial Certificate.
Ready to get your document notarised?
Get a quote →What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate under the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms the notary's signature and seal are genuine, so other member countries accept the document without embassy legalisation.
Good to know
Singapore joined the Apostille Convention in 2021. The Singapore Academy of Law issues apostilles for notarised documents.
Notary Public
Certifies your document or witnesses your signature, and attaches a Notarial Certificate.
Singapore Academy of Law
Checks the notary’s signature and seal. Your notary usually submits it for you.
Apostille Convention country
SAL issues an apostille. The document is ready to use.
e.g. UK, Australia, China, Japan
Other countries
SAL authenticates it, then that country’s embassy legalises it.
Check with the embassy
When do you need which?
An Apostille Convention country, such as the UK, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and most of the EU
What you need: Notarisation, then an apostille from SAL. No embassy legalisation.
A country outside the Convention, such as the UAE or Qatar
What you need: Notarisation, then SAL authentication, then legalisation by that country's embassy in Singapore.
An organisation in Singapore
What you need: Usually no apostille. Check what they asked for: some, such as ICA, want notarised copies, while a statutory declaration or affidavit needs a Commissioner for Oaths.
| Where the document is going | What you need |
|---|---|
| An Apostille Convention country, such as the UK, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and most of the EU | Notarisation, then an apostille from SAL. No embassy legalisation. |
| A country outside the Convention, such as the UAE or Qatar | Notarisation, then SAL authentication, then legalisation by that country's embassy in Singapore. |
| An organisation in Singapore | Usually no apostille. Check what they asked for: some, such as ICA, want notarised copies, while a statutory declaration or affidavit needs a Commissioner for Oaths. |
How to get an apostille in Singapore
- 1Have your document notarised by a Notary Public.
- 2Submit the notarised document to SAL for the apostille. Your notary can usually do this for you.
- 3SAL issues the apostille and attaches it to your document.
The apostille costs $87.20 including GST, paid through your notary. For Convention countries it is the last step.
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