← All articles

Guide · 16 April 2026 · 2 min read

Power of Attorney in Singapore: how it works and what it costs

A Power of Attorney lets someone act on your behalf for legal, financial, or property matters. Here is a practical guide to getting one done in Singapore.

Key points

  • A Power of Attorney (POA) lets someone act for you, for example on property, banking or business matters.
  • For use in another country, sign it in front of a Notary Public and have it authenticated by SAL.
  • Fixed fees for one person signing one POA: $202.20. Drafting is extra.
  • A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is different: it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
In this guide

A Power of Attorney (POA) authorises someone to act on your behalf, for example to sell property, manage a bank account or handle legal matters when you cannot be there yourself.

Types of Power of Attorney

General

What it covers: Broad authority across many matters, often used while you are away for a long time.

Specific

What it covers: One transaction, such as a property sale or opening a bank account.

Lasting (LPA)

What it covers: Takes effect if you lose mental capacity. Registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, not done through a notary.

Good to know

A POA for use in another country must be notarised by a Notary Public and authenticated by SAL. A Commissioner for Oaths cannot do this.

Ready to get your document notarised?

Get a quote →

The steps

  1. 1Have the POA drafted. Many law firms do this, or bring your own draft.
  2. 2Sign it in front of a Notary Public.
  3. 3The notary attaches a Notarial Certificate.
  4. 4SAL authenticates the certificate.
  5. 5If the destination country requires it, have it legalised by its embassy or consulate.
How a document is prepared for use overseas
1

Notary Public

Certifies your document or witnesses your signature, and attaches a Notarial Certificate.

2

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

Costs

Witnessing your signature

Fee: $40 (first signatory)

Notarial Certificate

Fee: $75 per document

SAL authentication

Fee: $87.20

Drafting

Fee: Set by the firm, often $150 to $300 for a simple POA

Embassy legalisation

Fee: Depends on the country

For one POA signed by one person, the fixed fees come to $202.20. Drafting and any embassy step are extra.

Common questions

  • Can I cancel a POA? Yes, at any time while you have mental capacity. Do it in writing and tell the person you appointed.
  • Does it expire? A General POA can have an end date or last until cancelled. A Specific POA usually ends when the transaction is done.
  • Can I sign remotely? Normally you sign in person in front of the notary. Remote options are limited, so ask the firm.

Keep reading