Singapore Company Constitution Notarization and Apostille: Complete Guide
When a Singapore-registered company engages in overseas business, registers a subsidiary abroad, or opens a foreign bank account, some foreign institutions require a certified copy of the company's Constitution to verify its internal governance structure and operating rules. This guide explains the two certification pathways for the Constitution and how it is typically processed alongside other company documents.
1. Two Ways to Certify the Company Constitution
Unlike the COI and Business Profile, the company Constitution is an internal company document rather than a certificate directly issued by ACRA. The certification pathway therefore depends on which version of the Constitution you have:
ACRA-Certified Version (with QR Code) — Recommended
ACRA offers a special service that produces a Certified True Copy of the Constitution as originally filed with ACRA at incorporation, bearing an official ACRA electronic seal and QR code for verification. This version carries the same standing as government-issued documents and can proceed directly to apostille without notarization.
RecommendedSimpler processStandard Version — Notarization Required First
If you only have the company's own saved copy of the Constitution without ACRA certification, notarization by a lawyer is required before the apostille can be applied. This version is an internal company document and carries no official authentication mark.
When no ACRA version availableNotarization requiredHow to obtain the ACRA-certified Constitution: Log in to the ACRA Bizfile website (www.bizfile.gov.sg) using Corppass, navigate to the company documents section, and apply for a Certified True Copy of the Constitution/Chapter. ACRA will issue a PDF with an official electronic seal and QR code. A small fee is typically charged. Contact our team if you need assistance with this process.
2. The Constitution Is Usually Submitted Together with Other Company Documents
In practice, the vast majority of foreign institutions require the Constitution to be submitted as part of a complete company document package alongside the COI and Business Profile. All three documents can be bound together in a single notarization booklet and apostilled together, saving both time and cost.
How combined processing affects the certification pathway: Even if you have the ACRA-certified Constitution (with QR code), combining it with the COI and Business Profile into one notarization booklet still requires notarization before apostille — because multiple documents are being bound together. The QR code version's advantage is mainly that it can skip notarization when being certified on its own.
3. Step-by-Step Process
Prepare Constitution PDF (ACRA or standard version)
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Lervice reviews your documents
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Notarization by lawyer (standard version or combined)
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Apostille
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Translation (if required)
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Collect or courier delivery
4. Documents Required
Case A: ACRA-certified Constitution — Direct Apostille
- ACRA Certified True Copy of the Constitution PDF (with ACRA electronic seal and QR code), obtained from Bizfile
Case B: Standard Constitution — Notarization + Apostille
- Company Constitution PDF (company's own saved copy)
- No signatures required — simply provide the PDF
Case C: Constitution combined with COI, Business Profile, and other documents — Notarization + Apostille (most common)
- Constitution PDF (ACRA-certified or standard version)
- COI PDF
- Business Profile (Bizfile) PDF
- If other signed documents are also being included (e.g. power of attorney), signed originals can be submitted by courier — no in-person attendance required
About translation: If the receiving institution requires a translation, the standard approach is to translate the entire notarization booklet into the target language. For Chinese-English translation, Lervice provides a complete one-stop service. For other languages, we recommend taking the completed certified booklet to a qualified translation agency in the destination country.
Singapore company Constitution combined with COI and Business Profile in one notarization and apostille package (example)
5. Timeline
ACRA version — direct apostille
2
business days
Notarization + Apostille
2–3
business days
With CN-EN translation
+3–5
additional business days
Lervice offers standardized, transparent pricing. Contact us directly for a quote.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if my Constitution is the ACRA-certified version?
The ACRA-certified Constitution displays an official ACRA electronic seal and includes a QR code that can be scanned to verify its authenticity. If the Constitution you have is simply a PDF saved by the company with no ACRA seal or QR code, it is the standard version and will require notarization before apostille. If you are unsure, send us the document and we will confirm which version it is.
2. How do I apply for the ACRA-certified Constitution?
Log in to the ACRA Bizfile website (www.bizfile.gov.sg) using Corppass, navigate to the company documents section, and apply for a Certified True Copy of the Constitution/Chapter. ACRA will issue a PDF with an official electronic seal and QR code. A small fee is typically charged. Contact our team if you need assistance with this process.
3. The Constitution is very long — will translation be expensive?
Company constitutions are typically longer than other documents, so translation costs will be proportionally higher. We recommend confirming with the receiving institution whether they actually require the Constitution to be translated — some may only require the COI and Business Profile to be translated, not the Constitution itself. Contact our team if you need help assessing this.
4. Does a director need to sign or appear in person?
No. The Constitution is a company document — no signatures from anyone are required. Simply provide the PDF and we will handle the rest. If other documents requiring signatures are being included in the same package, signed originals can be submitted by courier.
5. Can I get copies of the notarized document?
No. Singapore notarizations are issued as originals only — no certified copies are produced. If you need multiple sets, each must be ordered and paid for separately. We recommend confirming the number of sets needed before placing your order.
6. The document is for use in a country that has not joined the Hague Convention — is embassy legalization required?
Yes. If the document needs to be used in a country that is not a Hague Convention member, the apostille will not be recognized there and consular legalization at the relevant country's embassy will be required. Please contact us with the destination country and we will advise whether embassy legalization is needed and how to arrange it.
7. When Is Company Constitution Certification Required?
Here are the most common situations that require a notarized and apostilled company Constitution:
Not sure which version of your Constitution you have, or need to process multiple company documents together?
Contact our team, describe your documents and destination country, and we'll confirm the right approach for you.
