Singapore Board Resolution Notarization and Apostille: Complete Guide
When a Singapore company needs to open a foreign bank account, authorize the signing of overseas contracts, register a subsidiary abroad, or handle other significant corporate matters, foreign institutions typically require a notarized and apostilled board resolution to confirm that the relevant decisions have been formally authorized by the company's board of directors. This guide explains the notarization and apostille process for board resolutions, what documents you need to prepare, and how resolutions are typically processed alongside other company documents.
1. Key Rules for Board Resolution Notarization
A board resolution is an internal company document — it is not a government-issued certificate. It therefore cannot proceed directly to apostille and must first be notarized by a lawyer before the apostille can be applied.
How this differs from the COI, Bizfile, and other government documents: The COI, Business Profile, Certificate of Good Standing, and similar documents are issued by ACRA and carry government authority — they can proceed directly to apostille. A board resolution is a document prepared internally by the company and does not carry the same standing. Notarization by a Singapore lawyer gives it the formal legal certification needed before it can be apostilled and accepted by foreign institutions.
2. Step-by-Step Process
Prepare resolution and supporting documents
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Directors sign and submit to Lervice
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Notarization by lawyer
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Apostille
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Translation (if required)
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Collect or courier delivery
3. Documents Required
Main document
- Board resolution — signed original: The resolution must be signed by the relevant director(s). Directors do not need to appear in person — the signed original can be submitted by courier.
Supporting documents
- Company Business Profile (Bizfile): The latest version downloaded from ACRA, used to confirm that the signatory is a current director of the company
- Copy of each signing director's identity document: A copy of the identity document matching the information on the Bizfile (e.g. Singapore passport, NRIC)
Why are the Bizfile and identity documents required? The notarizing lawyer needs to verify the signatory's identity and their relationship to the company. The Bizfile confirms that the signatory is a current director of the company; the identity document confirms that the signatory's identity matches the information recorded on the Bizfile. Together, these two documents provide the verification needed for the notarization to proceed.
Singapore board resolution after notarization and apostille — completed document package (example)
4. Board Resolutions Are Usually Submitted with Other Company Documents
In practice, foreign institutions typically require a board resolution and company registration documents (such as the COI and Bizfile) to be submitted together as a complete corporate authorization package. All documents can be bound together in a single notarization booklet and apostilled together, saving time and cost.
In this case, the Bizfile serves a dual purpose within the same notarization booklet — as a supporting document verifying the signing director's identity, and as a company registration document in its own right.
Important — if embassy legalization is also required: Some embassies require each document to be presented as a separate, independent notarization and will not accept combined booklets. If your documents ultimately need embassy legalization in addition to apostille, please contact us before proceeding so we can advise on whether combined processing is appropriate for your destination country.
5. Timeline
Notarization + Apostille
2–3
business days
With embassy legalization
+3
additional 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. Does the director need to appear in person to sign?
No. The director simply needs to sign the resolution document and courier the signed original to our office. No in-person attendance is required at any stage.
2. If multiple directors need to sign, does each director need to provide identity documents?
Yes. A copy of each signing director's identity document is required, and the information must match what is recorded on the company's Bizfile.
3. Are there any format requirements for the board resolution?
A board resolution should clearly state: the date of the resolution; the company name and registration number; the specific matters being resolved and authorized; the scope of authority granted; and the names and positions of the signing directors. If you are unsure about the format, contact us and we can provide a reference template or review your draft.
4. Can the board resolution be combined with the COI and Bizfile in one notarization?
Yes, and this is generally the recommended approach — combining all documents into one notarization booklet saves time and cost, and produces a complete corporate authorization package for the foreign institution. However, if embassy legalization is subsequently required, some embassies will only accept documents that have each been independently notarized and will not accept combined booklets. Please let us know in advance if embassy legalization may be needed so we can advise the appropriate approach.
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. How long is the certification valid? Will the foreign institution require a "recent" document?
The notarization itself has no expiry date, but many foreign institutions — particularly banks — require documents issued within a certain period, typically 3 to 12 months. We recommend confirming the time requirement with the receiving institution before placing your order to avoid having to redo the process.
7. 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. Some embassies also impose specific requirements on how documents are presented — for example, requiring each document to be independently notarized rather than combined. Please contact us with your destination country so we can advise on the most appropriate approach before you proceed.
7. When Is a Board Resolution Certification Required?
Here are the most common situations that require a notarized and apostilled board resolution:
Need help drafting the resolution, or not sure which supporting documents are required?
Contact our team, describe your business purpose and destination country, and we'll confirm the right approach for you.
