Hassle-Free Apostille and Legalisation Process in Singapore
It can be challenging to legalize documents for use abroad, especially if you are not familiar with the precise requirements and processes involved. Essentially, the process entails confirming the legitimacy of a document by certifying or stamping it by a government agency. Both apostille and legalisation procedures are similar, although may contain different steps. These are services which are available and frequently used by many Singapore companies which are involved in various business relationships in other countries.
Let’s explore the subject in detail, to understand and handle these procedures seamless.
What Are Legalisation and Apostille?
Apostille and legalisation are procedures that confirm a document’s authenticity for use abroad. Legalisation is a common name for authentication the document for this purpose. It is also often called “consular legalisation” as it is often done by the country’s consulate. Within the legalisation framework, there is also a certification known as Apostille. Essentially, apostille is a process that adopted by the nations that have ratified the Hague Convention, of which Singapore had become a signatory in September 2021. Countries-members of the apostille convention do not require a consular legalisation; instead, they accept the apostille stamp of another member country, which is usually affixed by legal government authorities. Therefore, Apostille is a simpler and shorter process compared to the usual consular legalisation, because it involves fewer steps and takes shorter time to accomplish. In Singapore, the function of apostille is performed by the Singapore Academy of Law. Respectively, legalisation is viewed as a process of confirming the validity of a document for use in a nation that has not ratified the Hague Convention.
Fortunately, you can guarantee a simple and hassle-free both apostille and legalisation processes in Singapore with some planning and knowledge of the requirements. We’ll go over the steps in this article and give you some advice to get you through it.
Steps to Ensure Smooth & Hassle-Free Apostille & Legalisation Process in Singapore
Step 1: Determine the Documents Needing Legalisation
Finding the documents that require legalisation is the first step in the apostille and legalisation process. These records could consist of company’s extracts from the register, such as ACRA Business Profile, company documents (resolutions, contracts), powers of attorney, diplomas, academic records, and other legal records and documents.
Step 2: Check the Destination Country’s Requirements
After identifying the documents to be legalized, you must confirm the requirements of the destination country. This is significant because different countries may have different requirements requirements, and failure to meet these requirements may result in application delays or rejection.
Step 3: Notarize the Essential Documents
Generally, a Singapore Notary Public must first notarize the documents before they can be apostilled or legalized.
However, there are some exception to this: some original company documents issued by official government authorities do not need to be notarized. Instead, they can be directly apostilled, as they have a QR-code which verifies their authenticity. Examples of such documents are Certificate of Incorporation or Business Profile issued by ACRA.
Step 4: Have the documents authenticated by the Singapore Academy of Law
Since 2021, The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) has taken over the function of document authentication instead of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the last authority for overseas use, whether through the Apostille convention, or consular legalisation.
Therefore, all documents for overseas use will be valid after authenticating by the SAL.
Please check if the receiving country is also a member of the Apostille Convention. If the answer is yes, no other steps after SAL certification will be needed. If the answer is no, you will need to bring the document to the consular department of the destination country and get it legalized.
Tips for a Simple and Easy Process
Here are some pointers to help you have a stress-free apostille and legalisation process in Singapore:
- Begin early: Because the apostille and legalisation processes can take time, it is critical to begin early in order to allow enough time for the process to be completed.
- Recognize the requirements: Make sure you understand the destination country’s requirements and follow them to avoid application delays or rejection.
- Choose a reputable service provider: To ensure a smooth and trouble-free process, select a reputed service provider who is familiar with the apostille and legalisation processes in Singapore.
- Keep copies of all documents: It is critical to keep copies of all documents submitted for apostille and legalisation in case they are misplaced or damaged during the process.
- Get a scanned copy of the legalized document first shown to the receiving party: If they confirm that everything is in order, ship the original document. If not, you may have to get it re-done with some amendments, so you will save time and shipping costs.
Final Words
The apostille and legalisation process in Singapore can be complicated at times, but with some proper planning and a great consultant you can ensure a trouble-free process.
Legalizing your documents for use abroad can be a crucial step to accomplishing your personal or professional objectives. You can make sure that your documents are correctly authenticated and legalized and that they satisfy the destination country’s requirements by taking the steps outlined above.
It is crucial to remember that the apostille and legalisation procedures can change based on the nation or organization making the request for the documents. Therefore, to ensure that you fulfill all requirements, conducting in-depth research and seeking professional advice is advised.
The apostille and legalisation procedures necessitate meticulousness, perseverance, and patience in addition to the steps and advice already mentioned. Therefore, it is advised to seek the help of a seasoned service provider who can direct you through the procedure and assist you in overcoming any obstacles that may arise if you run into any delays or difficulties.
In conclusion, the apostille and legalisation procedure in Singapore may appear difficult and overwhelming. Still, by taking the required precautions and heeding the advice provided in this article, you can make sure that the procedure goes smoothly and without incident. You can accomplish your personal or professional goals by legalizing your documents for use abroad, and by doing it correctly, you can prevent any unnecessary delays or complications.
