Singapore Passport & Identity Document Notarization and Apostille: Complete Guide
When submitting notarized documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or power of attorney to a foreign institution, you will often be required to provide a certified copy of your identity document as a supporting document alongside. Singapore passports, identity cards (NRIC), Permanent Resident cards, and various passes (EP, SP, WP, LTVP, etc.) are all government-issued documents that can be certified through notarization and apostille to meet the requirements of foreign institutions. This guide explains the available options and the full process.
1. Direct Apostille or Notarization First — Which Do You Need?
Singapore government-issued passports and identity documents are eligible to proceed directly to apostille without notarization. However, in practice, many foreign institutions — particularly those that process documents in a more bureaucratic setting — are more comfortable accepting documents that have been notarized first, as the additional notarization step provides an extra layer of formal verification.
Option 1: Direct Apostille
Submit the original document and proceed directly to apostille — no notarization required. Simpler process and lower cost, but some foreign institutions may not accept this format.
Simpler processLower costOption 2: Notarization + Apostille (Recommended)
Notarized by a lawyer first, then apostilled. The additional notarization step increases the likelihood of acceptance by foreign institutions and is the safer choice.
More reliableRecommendedNot sure which option to choose? We recommend checking with the receiving institution first to confirm which format they accept. If they have no specific requirement, we suggest Option 2 (notarization before apostille) to avoid having to redo the process if the direct apostille is not accepted.
2. Document Types Covered
The following Singapore government-issued documents can all be processed under either option:
3. Step-by-Step Process
Submit original document
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Lervice reviews your documents
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Notarization by lawyer (Option 2)
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Apostille
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Translation (if required)
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Collect or courier delivery
4. Documents Required
Option 1: Direct Apostille
- Original document (passport, NRIC, PR card, or pass card)
- Note: the apostille sticker is attached to the back of a copy — your original is returned untouched
Option 2: Notarization + Apostille
- Original document (same as above)
- Applicant's passport or NRIC (if different from the document being certified)
- Note: a copy is bound into the notarization booklet — your original is returned untouched
If a Translation Is Required
- No additional documents needed — once certification is complete, Lervice arranges for our qualified translation partner to translate the entire notarization booklet, delivered as a complete package
- Please let us know the destination country so we can confirm the language and translation requirements
Singapore passport after notarization and apostille — completed document package (example)
5. Timeline
Direct apostille
2
business days
Notarization + Apostille
2–3
business days
With translation
+3–5
additional business days
Lervice offers standardized, transparent pricing — no hourly legal consultation fees. Contact us directly for a quote.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will my original document be returned after certification?
Yes — your original is always returned untouched. For direct apostille, the apostille sticker is attached to the back of a copy of the document, not the original. For notarization, a copy is bound into the notarization booklet while the original is returned separately. In neither case is your original retained or marked.
2. Can I process my passport alongside other notarized documents at the same time?
Yes — and we generally recommend doing so. Passport certification is most commonly required as a supporting document accompanying other notarized documents such as a power of attorney or same person declaration. Processing everything together saves time.
3. My passport has expired — can it still be notarized?
It depends on what the receiving institution requires. Some institutions only accept certification of documents that are currently valid; others will accept an expired passport, for example to establish historical identity. We recommend confirming with the receiving institution before deciding whether you need to renew your passport first.
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, 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 the receiving institution require a "recent" document?
The notarization itself has no expiry date, but many receiving institutions require documents issued within the past 6 or 12 months. We recommend confirming the time requirement with the relevant institution before placing your order to avoid having to redo it.
6. I'm not in Singapore — can I handle this remotely?
Yes. Courier your original document to our Singapore office. Once the process is complete, we will courier the certified documents back to your address. No in-person visit is needed at any stage.
7. When Is Passport or Identity Document Certification Required?
Here are the most common situations that require a certified Singapore passport or identity document:
Not sure which option suits your situation, or need to process your passport alongside other documents?
Contact our team, tell us your document type and purpose, and we'll recommend the right approach.
