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Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Beijing

Legalisation / Apostillation of documents

Information on legalisation and apostillation of documents.

Last updated 6 November 2025

Notice

With effect from 7 Nov 2023, China will issue Apostille Certificates (under the HCCH 1961 Apostille Convention) to facilitate the use of its documents abroad.  

As Singapore is also a signatory state of the Apostille Convention, Chinese documents affixed with the Apostille will not require legalisation by the Singapore Embassy and Consulates-General in China, before their use in Singapore.

[Note: As part of the transition process, the Embassy and Consulates-General will continue to legalise Chinese documents not issued with the Apostille, until 30 Nov 2023.] 

Chinese documents to be used in Singapore (wef 7 Nov 2023)

You are advised to check with the requesting authority in Singapore if they require the documents to be legalised/ apostilled. To obtain the Apostille for your Chinese documents to be used in Singapore:

  1. Notarise your document at an authorised Notary Public (公证处) or relevant authority [e.g., the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), for commercial documents]. A notarial certificate will be issued. 

  2. Present your notarised document to the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or a local Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) authorised to issue Apostilles.

For more information, please refer to the PRC MFA’s website.

Singapore documents to be used in China 

You are advised to check with the requesting authority in China if they require the documents to be legalised/ apostilled. The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) is Singapore's designated Competent Authority for the legalisation/ apostillation of documents in Singapore for overseas use. To obtain the Apostille for your Singapore document to be used in China:

  1. Your document should first be notarised by a Notary Public (any law firm offering notarial services), or certified by a relevant authority (e.g., by a Chamber of Commerce for commercial documents).

    • [Note: This step does not apply to documents issued by Singapore Government Authorities.]

  2. Submit an online request for legalisation on the SAL’s website and make payment online. Thereafter, you or your proxy will need to present your document to SAL at their office.

Contact information

Singapore Academy of Law

Address: 1 Coleman Street, #08-06, The Adelphi, Singapore 179803

Tel: + (65) 6332 4388

Website: https://legalisation.sal.sg/

Email: legalisation@sal.org.sg