We could not verify a commissioner for oaths Punggol residents can visit inside the town, so use the Singapore Academy of Law’s official directory to find one near you. For affidavits used in Singapore court cases, the courts run their own commissioner service by appointment. Documents for use overseas need a notary public instead.
The trick is to know which of the two you need before you set off anywhere.
This page is part of eduKate Punggol’s Essential Information for Punggol, our quick answers and where-to-go lists for everyday life in Punggol. It explains commissioners for oaths (CFOs) and notaries public, where to find them, the court CFO service and its fees, the Apostille step for overseas documents, and where to get help with a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Quick answer
- Find one: the SAL Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public Directory lists them all.
- Document for use in Singapore (affidavit, statutory declaration): a commissioner for oaths.
- Document for use overseas: a notary public, then authentication or an Apostille at the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL).
- For a court case: the Singapore Courts’ CFO service, by appointment, booked at least two working days ahead (eight for a virtual session).
- SAL counter: The Adelphi, 1 Coleman Street, #08-06. Weekdays 9am–4.30pm. $87.20 per notarised document.
- Making an LPA? That needs a certificate issuer, not a CFO. ServiceSG One Punggol helps you make one online.
Where to Find a Commissioner for Oaths near Punggol
SAL’s directory is the official list of commissioners for oaths and notaries public, so it is the honest starting point. We have not named individual law firms, and we do not rank them.
| Where | Address | Hours (checked October 2026) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAL Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public Directory | Online: legalisation.sal.sg/Directory | Online | The official list of all CFOs and notaries. Contact the one you choose directly. |
| Singapore Courts CFO service | At the Supreme Court, State Courts or Family Justice Courts, or by video | By appointment only. In person: book at least 2 working days ahead. Virtual: at least 8 working days. | Affidavits and statutory declarations for proceedings in those courts. Request through go.gov.sg/sgcourtscforequest. |
| SAL legalisation counter | The Adelphi, 1 Coleman Street, #08-06, Singapore 179803 | Mon–Fri 9am–4.30pm. Eves of Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year 9am–12.30pm. Closed Sat, Sun and public holidays. No appointment needed. | Authenticating notarised documents and affixing Apostilles. Hotline +65 6332 4388. |
| ServiceSG Centre One Punggol | #01-01, 1 Punggol Drive, Singapore 828629 | Mon–Sat 9am–6pm. Closed Sun and public holidays. | An assistance point for making a Lasting Power of Attorney online. Not a CFO or notary. |
Hours checked October 2026 on the Singapore Courts CFO page, the SAL legalisation FAQ and PSD’s ServiceSG page. Confirm before you go. The OPG’s list says ServiceSG centres open daily except public holidays; PSD, which runs ServiceSG, says One Punggol is closed on Sundays, so plan by PSD’s hours.
Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public: Which Do You Need
The document will be used in Singapore
Affidavits and statutory declarations for use in Singapore are sworn or affirmed before a commissioner for oaths. A CFO may be a lawyer, a court interpreter, a government official or another authorised person, appointed by the Board of Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public. Swearing and affirming have the same legal effect, so choose whichever suits you.
The document will be used overseas
You need a notary public. The Singapore Courts say their CFOs cannot sign documents for overseas use. After notarisation, SAL authenticates the document or affixes an Apostille. SAL has affixed Apostilles for all documents since 16 September 2021, so older blogs describing long embassy legalisation chains are out of date for most countries.
It is for a case in a Singapore court
The courts’ own CFO service handles documents for proceedings in the Supreme Court, State Courts or Family Justice Courts. If you already have a lawyer, the CFO cannot be your lawyer or anyone from the same firm.
You are making a Lasting Power of Attorney
An LPA needs a certificate issuer, not a commissioner for oaths. The Office of the Public Guardian lists ServiceSG One Punggol as an assistance point for help making an LPA online.
How to Get a Document Sworn, Step by Step
- Decide where the document will be used. In Singapore means a CFO. Overseas means a notary public.
- Prepare the document, unsigned. You sign in front of the CFO or notary, not before.
- Book. For a private CFO or notary, pick one from the SAL directory and contact them. For a court document, submit the courts’ request form at least two working days ahead.
- Bring your ID. NRIC for citizens and PRs, or FIN card or passport for others, plus the document and its exhibits.
- Check in. At the Supreme Court and State Courts, take a queue number at the kiosk. At the Family Justice Courts, tell the counter staff.
- Swear or affirm, then sign. The CFO checks the document first.
- Pay. For the court service, payment comes after the CFO has checked the document.
- For overseas documents, go to SAL next. Pay online by Visa or Mastercard before the counter. Documents are processed on the spot and cannot be left for collection later.
What to Prepare for a Virtual Court Session
The Singapore Courts offer virtual e-commissioning over Zoom. It saves the trip to town, but the checklist is strict:
- Be physically in Singapore, with Singpass and the Singpass app.
- Have a computer with Zoom, plus a smartphone.
- Be alone in the room during the session.
- Attach the unsigned affidavit and exhibits (PDF or Word) to your request.
- Make signing fields at least 13.5cm by 4.5cm.
- Make sure the jurat states the document was sworn or affirmed remotely.
- Ask for interpretation if needed. The courts offer Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and local dialects on request.
Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Fees
- Court CFO service (estimated, as published): Supreme Court affidavit $25 plus $5 per exhibit. Statutory declaration for Supreme Court proceedings $25 plus $5 per exhibit. State Courts Magistrate’s Court affidavit $10; District Court affidavit $25 (plus $5 per exhibit). Protection from Harassment affidavit $10 (plus $5 per exhibit). Family Justice Courts affidavits, statutory declarations, draft consent orders for divorce, adoption and probate documents $25 each plus $5 per exhibit.
- Private CFOs: fees are set by the Commissioners for Oaths Rules. We could not confirm the amounts, so ask when you book.
- Notaries: the Notaries Public Rules set the fees. Examples in the schedule: a certified true copy with seal $10 for the first page and $2 for each later page; without seal $5 and $1; a Special Notarial Certificate $75; half fees where the document was prepared in the notary’s office. Check live with your notary.
- SAL: authentication $87.20 (including GST) per notarised document, paid separately from the notary’s fee. e-Apostille for ACRA documents S$10.70. Fees are non-refundable.
Neighbour’s Tips for Oaths and Notarisation
- Do not sign at home. Signing happens in front of the CFO or notary, so bring the document unsigned.
- Ask the receiving party first. If an overseas school, employer or bank asked for the document, check whether they want notarisation, an Apostille, or both.
- Book court CFOs early. Two working days for in person, eight for virtual. Weekends do not count.
- Pay SAL before you queue. SAL takes online card payment only, with no cash at the counter.
- Treat the SAL hotline as a guide. SAL says the counter’s decision takes precedence over hotline advice.
- Count your exhibits. At the court service, each exhibit adds $5, so a thick bundle adds up.
- For family records, such as school certificates going overseas, our family education records guide helps you gather the right originals first.
If You Are Short of Time
- No out-of-hours service: the SAL counter is open on weekdays only, and the court CFO service needs at least two working days’ notice.
- Deadline for a court case: if you have a lawyer, ask them first. If not, the State Courts HELP Centre and Pro Bono SG may be able to point you the right way; see our free legal help guide.
- Overseas deadline: SAL processes documents over the counter on the spot, so a morning visit can finish the job the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a commissioner for oaths in Punggol?
We could not verify one with an office in Punggol. Search the SAL directory, which lists every commissioner for oaths and notary public in Singapore.
What is the difference between a commissioner for oaths and a notary public?
A commissioner for oaths administers oaths and affirmations for documents used in Singapore. A notary public notarises documents for use overseas.
How much does it cost to swear an affidavit?
At the court CFO service, from $10 to $25 depending on the court and document, usually plus $5 per exhibit. Private CFO fees are set by rules we could not confirm, so ask when you book.
Can I swear an affidavit online?
For court documents, yes. The Singapore Courts offer virtual e-commissioning over Zoom with Singpass, booked at least eight working days ahead.
Do I need a commissioner for oaths for an LPA?
No. An LPA needs a certificate issuer. ServiceSG One Punggol helps you make an LPA online.
How do I get an Apostille in Singapore?
Have the document notarised by a notary public, pay SAL online, then bring it to the SAL counter at The Adelphi. It is processed on the spot.
More Help on eduKate Punggol
- ServiceSG at One Punggol: walk-in help, including LPA assistance.
- The family education records guide: certificates and transcripts from P1 to university.
- Singpass, LifeSG and digital government services
- Free legal clinics and legal aid near Punggol
- Official: Singapore Courts CFO services · SAL legalisation FAQ · SAL CFO and notary directory
Oaths and Notaries, Sorted
Ask yourself one question first: will this paper be read in Singapore or overseas? The answer tells you whether you need a commissioner or a notary, and the rest is booking, bringing your ID and signing in the right room. Keep a scan of the finished document too. Future you will be grateful.
And if your family is also looking for calm, small-group English, Mathematics or Science, eduKate Punggol teaches classes of three in Punggol. Come find out more: Book a consultation · Chat on WhatsApp
eduKate Punggol
Small-group English, Mathematics and Science
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By appointment · +65 8823 1234
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Checked October 2026. Addresses, opening hours, fees and rules change, so please confirm with the official source before you go.
