{"id":2369,"date":"2025-09-28T23:30:01","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T15:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/help.law.com.sg\/?post_type=docs&p=2369"},"modified":"2026-07-21T13:57:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T05:57:04","password":"","slug":"notary-public-singapore-glossary","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/help.law.com.sg\/faq\/notary-public-singapore-glossary\/","title":{"rendered":"Notary Public Singapore Glossary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you need documents accepted overseas, a Singapore Notary Public<\/strong> service is often required. This page gives brief, plain-English remarks for Notary Public Singapore Glossary, i.e. common terms, with Chinese and Pinyin. Use it to understand what you\u2019ll be asked for at the notary, the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), or a foreign embassy. For step-by-step instructions or fees, speak to your notary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notary Public Glossary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
English Term<\/th>Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>Notes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Notary Public<\/td>\u516c\u8bc1\u4eba<\/td>g\u014dng zh\u00e8ng r\u00e9n<\/td>Senior lawyer in Singapore authorised to certify documents for overseas use<\/td><\/tr>
Notarisation<\/td>\u516c\u8bc1<\/td>g\u014dng zh\u00e8ng<\/td>Notary confirms identity\/signature or certifies a document<\/td><\/tr>
Notarial Certificate<\/td>\u516c\u8bc1\u4e66<\/td>g\u014dng zh\u00e8ng sh\u016b<\/td>The notary\u2019s formal certificate attached to your document<\/td><\/tr>
Legalisation<\/td>\u8ba4\u8bc1<\/td>r\u00e8n zh\u00e8ng<\/td>Further embassy confirmation required by some countries<\/td><\/tr>
Apostille<\/td>\u8ba4\u8bc1\u4e66\uff08\u6d77\u7259\uff09<\/td>r\u00e8n zh\u00e8ng sh\u016b (h\u01cei y\u00e1)<\/td>Singapore is in the Apostille Convention and Appostille is issued by SAL<\/td><\/tr>
True Copy Certification<\/td>\u8ba4\u8bc1\u526f\u672c<\/td>r\u00e8n zh\u00e8ng f\u00f9 b\u011bn<\/td>Notary confirms a copy matches its original<\/td><\/tr>
Witnessing Signature \/ Attestation<\/td>\u89c1\u8bc1\u7b7e\u540d<\/td>ji\u00e0n zh\u00e8ng qi\u0101n m\u00edng<\/td>Notary watches you sign and certifies it<\/td><\/tr>
Affidavit<\/td>\u5ba3\u8a93\u4e66<\/td>xu\u0101n sh\u00ec sh\u016b<\/td>Sworn statement; often notarised for foreign proceedings<\/td><\/tr>
Statutory Declaration<\/td>\u6cd5\u5b9a\u58f0\u660e<\/td>f\u01ce d\u00ecng sh\u0113ng m\u00edng<\/td>Written declaration under oath; commonly notarised<\/td><\/tr>
Power of Attorney (overseas use)<\/td>\u6388\u6743\u4e66\uff08\u6d77\u5916\uff09<\/td>sh\u00f2u qu\u00e1n sh\u016b (h\u01cei w\u00e0i)<\/td>POA prepared\/attested for use outside Singapore<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why this glossary?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This Notary Public Singapore glossary<\/strong> helps you understand exactly what to ask for before you book an appointment. Many people hear \u201cnotarise\u201d or \u201clegalise\u201d and feel unsure what to do. Use this page to match the service to your situation and avoid repeat trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with the basics. A notary public in Singapore checks your identity, witnesses your signature, and certifies true copies. When a school, bank, or foreign court asks you to \u201cnotarise,\u201d they usually want one of these actions. If a university requests \u201cnotarised transcripts,\u201d you bring originals and good copies; the notary compares them and certifies the copies as true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some destinations also require legalisation<\/strong>. After notarisation, the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) or an embassy confirms the notary\u2019s authority. You handle notarisation first, then proceed to SAL or the embassy if the receiving country asks for it. For example, a power of attorney for use in China often needs both steps before the Chinese authority accepts it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This glossary gives short notes for the terms you will see on checklists: affidavit<\/strong>, statutory declaration<\/strong>, notarial certificate<\/strong>, true copy certification<\/strong>, and witnessing signature<\/strong>. Read the English, Chinese, and Pinyin lines side by side. Share them with family members who prefer Chinese. Everyone aligns on the same meaning and you move faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use these tips to prepare well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n