Singapore Same Person Declaration Notarization & Apostille: Complete Guide
After acquiring Singapore citizenship, your previous passport and identity documents from your former nationality are cancelled. If you purchased property, opened bank accounts, or registered other assets under your previous identity, you may need to formally prove that the person named in those old documents is the same person now holding a Singapore passport — before those assets can be transferred, disposed of, or otherwise dealt with. A notarized and apostilled same person declaration is the document that bridges this gap.
1. When Is a Same Person Declaration Required?
There are two common situations:
Situation 1: Change of Nationality
Old passport → New passport (different nationality)
After acquiring Singapore citizenship and renouncing the previous nationality, the old passport or identity documents are cancelled. Proof is needed that the old documents and the current Singapore passport belong to the same person.
Most commonAfter naturalizationSituation 2: Passport Renewal
Old passport → New passport (same nationality)
When a passport expires and is renewed, the passport number changes. Proof is needed that the two different passport numbers belong to the same person.
Less commonAfter renewalWhy isn't the old document sufficient on its own? Property, bank accounts, and other assets registered under a previous identity are linked to the old passport or identity card number. Once that document is cancelled, it can no longer be presented as valid identification. A notarized and apostilled same person declaration formally establishes that both documents refer to the same individual, allowing the receiving authority to verify your identity and proceed with the relevant transaction.
2. Step-by-Step Process
Prepare declaration and documents
→
Lervice reviews your documents
→
Notarization (all documents bound together)
→
Apostille
→
Collect or courier delivery
3. Documents Required
- Same person declaration: You may draft this yourself or contact us for a reference template. The declaration must be signed by the person it concerns.
- Old identity document: Copy of the cancelled passport, identity card, or other document that needs to be linked to your current identity
- Current valid document: Copy of your current Singapore passport or other valid identity document
All three documents are bound together in a single notarization booklet, then apostilled to produce a complete and formally certified proof of same identity.
How to submit the signed declaration: Three options are available — appear in person to sign before the lawyer; courier the signed original to our office; or provide a high-resolution scan (with the original also sent by post for the lawyer to verify). Choose whichever is most convenient.
Same person declaration, old identity document, and current passport combined in one notarization and apostille package (example)
4. Timeline
Notarization + Apostille
2–3
business days
With embassy legalization
+3
additional business days
Urgent processing
—
Contact us to enquire
Lervice offers standardized, transparent pricing — no hourly legal consultation fees. Contact us directly for a quote.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
1. My old identity documents have already been cancelled — can they still be used for notarization?
Yes. This is exactly the situation the same person declaration is designed to address. You only need to provide a copy of the old document — regardless of whether it is still valid — and we will combine it with the declaration and your current passport in a single notarization booklet to produce a complete proof of identity.
2. Do I need to appear in person to sign the declaration?
No — there are three options. You can appear in person to sign before the lawyer; courier the signed original to our office; or provide a high-resolution scan (with the original for verification). Choose whichever is most convenient for your situation.
3. I have more than two documents to link — can all of them be covered?
Yes. If your situation involves multiple old documents (for example, both an old passport and an old identity card), all of them can be included in a single notarization booklet to establish that they all refer to the same person. Please contact us to describe your specific situation and we will advise the best approach.
4. 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 (for example, to submit to more than one institution), each must be ordered and paid for separately. We recommend confirming the number of sets you need before placing your order.
5. How long is the certification valid? Will authorities require a "recent" document?
The notarization itself has no expiry date, but some receiving authorities require documents issued within a certain period. We recommend confirming the time requirement with the relevant authority before placing your order to avoid having to redo it.
6. I'm not in Singapore — can I handle this remotely?
Yes. Courier the signed declaration original to our Singapore office together with copies of your old and current identity documents. Once the process is complete, we will courier the certified documents to your address. No in-person visit is needed at any stage.
6. When Is a Same Person Declaration Required?
Here are the most common situations that require a notarized and apostilled same person declaration:
Not sure what documents you need for your situation?
Contact our team, describe your documents and purpose, and we'll confirm the right approach for you.
