Notarization

A notarized document is a document that has been certified by a notary public. 

Notarization is necessary for certain documents to ensure its legality. For example, company incorporation and company strike-off documents need to be notarized in order to be legally recognized.

Notarizing Documents: Notary Public

A Notary Public is an appointed person of good standing authorized to carry out notarial acts such as the attesting of documents. A Notary Public is regarded as a credible witness and certifications by a Notary Public are by convention and treaty accepted by parties outside a country.

In Singapore, only Notary Publics that are appointed by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) can be recognized. A Notary Public is authorized to:

• administer oaths and affirmations for affidavits and declarations;
• verify and certify that copies of documents are exact reproductions of their originals; and
• serve as an impartial witness for the signing of legal documents (including agreements or contracts) for use in countries outside Singapore.

It is their duty to ensure that all information and signatures on a document are legitimate:

• Identity verification: It is the notary’s duty to verify and confirm the identity of all the parties signing the documents
• Willing signers: The notary needs to ensure that the signers are willing parties when they are signing. Should the notary feel that there are coercion or unwillingness to sign, it is their duty to refuse to notarize the document.
• Capable of sound decisions: A notary should verify that signers are in a condition where they can truly understand what they’re signing. If an individual is intoxicated, medicated, or unable to understand what’s happening for any reason, the notary cannot notarize the document.

A notary will refuse to validate a signature if there are any potential problems with the signer.

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