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What is a Certificate of Incorporation?


 
Singapore Certificate of IncorporationA certificate of incorporation is described as a legal document which is related to the formation of a company or corporation. The precise meaning of a certificate of incorporation, however, would depend upon the legal system where it is being used.

In Singapore, the Singapore Registrar of Companies (ACRA) will issue an e-notification of incorporation upon incorporation. These e-notifications do not have any signatures on them and will be emailed out to the officers of the company and the person in charge of the incorporation filings.

 

Is There an Alternative to Certificate of Incorporation?

An electronic certificate of incorporation that confirms the company’s incorporation is available for purchase at any time from ACRA. Bear in mind that these certificates will be duly signed electronically by ACRA. The electronic copies can be purchased any number of times from ACRA, especially if the certificate needs to be submitted to any parties overseas, where an unsigned electronic copy of the e-notification is not accepted.

 

Step-by-Step Procedure for Acquiring a Singapore Certificate of Incorporation

To purchase a certificate of incorporation, which confirms a company’s incorporation that is also duly signed electronically by an ACRA officer, you would be required to log into ACRA’s BizFile website and make the required purchase online. Once the purchase has been completed, ACRA will send a notification to you with a URL for you to download the electronic certificate. Companies that have applied to change the name may follow the same procedure, and this includes companies that require a certificate confirming the company’s incorporation and subsequent change of name.

To make a purchase of certificates of incorporation through BizFile, you would need to complete the following steps:

  1. Visit the BizFile website at bizfile.gov.sg
  2. Select the “Buy Information” tab
  3. There will be 4 options listed under the Buy Information tab (Buy Business Profile, Buy Other Information, Buy Package Information, iShop Membership), select the option that you are after and proceed from there.

Keep in mind that members of the general public are eligible for the purchase of Certificates of Good Standing and Certificates of Compliance in electronic forms if these documents are available from the iShop.

SingPass logins only allow company officers, business owners and or authorized representatives, LLP/LP partners, managers and authorized corporate service providers to make purchases of statutory certificates on behalf of the business entity.

 

What is the Processing Time for Certificate of Incorporation?

Once the payment has been completed, an email which contains a URL to access the report that would need to be downloaded will be emailed within 15 minutes. Purchases which were done via SingPass can be accessed by logging into the ACRA BizFile portal to download the needed information. This applies for all electronic certificates.

 

Need Some Help?

Need a certificate of incorporation but not sure how to go about it? Contact us for more information or get in touch with any of our friendly and helpful staff today to find out more. 3E Accounting is experienced, dedicated and the best in the field when it comes to everything about incorporation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between e-notification and Certificate of Incorporation in Singapore?

When you register a company in Singapore, ACRA automatically sends a free e-notification via email. However, this e-notification is not officially signed and may not be accepted by overseas banks or foreign authorities.
The Certificate of Incorporation costs S$50 and includes ACRA’s electronic signature, making it the official legal document. It also features Trust Bar verification with a QR code for authenticity. Most businesses need the official certificate for bank account opening, international transactions, and formal business contracts.

How much does it cost to obtain a Certificate of Incorporation in Singapore?

The Certificate of Incorporation costs S$50 per copy through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. This includes the electronic certificate with Trust Bar verification that you can download within 15-30 minutes.
If you need a hard copy, it’s available for collection at ACRA’s office the next working day (same S$50 fee).

Postal delivery is also available at S$50 plus postage charges. You can purchase multiple copies whenever needed for different business purposes.

How long does it take to get a Certificate of Incorporation in Singapore?

The processing time depends on your chosen delivery method:

  • Electronic download: 15-30 minutes after payment
  • Hard copy collection: Next working day at ACRA reception
  • Postal delivery: 3-5 working days within Singapore

The electronic version is the fastest option and equally valid for all business purposes. You’ll receive a download link via email and can also access it through the BizFile+ portal. The download link remains valid for 30 days from purchase.

What information is included in a Singapore Certificate of Incorporation?

The Certificate of Incorporation contains:

  • Company name – Your full registered business name
  • Unique Entity Number (UEN) – Your 9 or 10-digit company identifier
  • Date of incorporation – Official formation date
  • Entity type – Private Limited, Public Limited, etc.
  • Former names – Up to 5 recent name changes (if applicable)
  • ACRA’s electronic signature – Validates authenticity
  • Trust Bar verification – QR code and URL for instant verification

This information proves your company’s legal existence and is required for opening bank accounts, signing business contracts, immigration applications, and international business expansion.

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