Key Takeaways
- ACRA issues a notice of successful incorporation after approving a Singapore company’s registration.
- A Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company is a separate statutory certificate that authorised persons may purchase through Bizfile.
- The statutory certificate costs S$50 per copy and contains the electronic signature of an ACRA Assistant Registrar.
- A certificate of incorporation confirms that the company was incorporated on a stated date; it does not necessarily prove that the company remains active or compliant today.
- Purchased ACRA information products must be downloaded within 30 days.
In Singapore, a certificate of incorporation is an official document confirming that a company was incorporated under Singapore law on a specified date.
When ACRA approves a company registration, the applicant receives a notice of successful incorporation and the company’s Unique Entity Number, or UEN. A free Business Profile is also made available to the applicant. A separately signed statutory certificate is not automatically issued as part of an ordinary company registration; it may be purchased through Bizfile when formal certified evidence of incorporation is required.
As a business owner or professional, understanding the differences between the incorporation notice, Business Profile and statutory certificate helps you provide the correct document to banks, regulators, investors and overseas counterparties.
In this article, we explain what a Singapore company certificate of incorporation is, why it may be required and how an authorised person can obtain one.
What Is a Singapore Company Certificate of Incorporation?
A Singapore company certificate of incorporation —officially listed by ACRA as a Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company—is a statutory certificate confirming that a company was incorporated in Singapore. It is purchased through ACRA’s Bizfile portal and bears the electronic signature of an ACRA Assistant Registrar.
The certificate serves as formal evidence of the company’s incorporation on the date stated in the document.
Depending on the applicable certificate format, the document generally identifies the company by information such as:
- Company name
- Unique Entity Number
- Entity or company type
- Date of incorporation
- Date on which the certificate was issued
- ACRA receipt or transaction reference
- Electronic signature of the relevant ACRA officer
The certificate confirms the fact and date of incorporation. It should not be described as proof that the company has complied with every legal requirement since incorporation or that it is currently in good standing.
For current status checks, a party may instead review ACRA’s free entity search, obtain a Business Profile or, where available, purchase a Certificate of Good Standing.
What Is the Difference Between the Incorporation Notice, Business Profile and Statutory Certificate?
| Document | Main purpose | Who receives or purchases it? | Certified or signed? | Typical use |
| Notice of successful incorporation | Confirms that ACRA approved the company registration and provides the UEN | Issued to the applicant after successful registration | Not the separately purchased statutory certificate | Internal records and initial confirmation of registration |
| Business Profile | Provides current registered information about the company | A free copy is provided after successful registration; additional copies may be obtained through Bizfile | The standard Business Profile is an ACRA information product, but it is different from a statutory certificate | Bank, licensing, onboarding and due-diligence checks |
| Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company | Formally confirms that the company was incorporated on the stated date | Purchased by an authorised person on behalf of the entity | Bears the electronic signature of an ACRA Assistant Registrar | Formal transactions, overseas procedures or counterparties requesting certified incorporation evidence |
| Certificate of Good Standing | Confirms the live existence of an eligible Singapore-incorporated or registered company | May be purchased by any person when available | Bears the electronic signature of an ACRA Assistant Registrar | Current-status checks and certain overseas transactions |
ACRA expressly distinguishes its Certificate of Good Standing, priced at S$11, from statutory certificates such as a certificate confirming incorporation, priced at S$50.
Importance Of The Singapore Company Registration Certificate
The Singapore company certificate of incorporation serves as formal evidence that the company was legally incorporated as a separate legal entity on the date specified in the certificate.
Incorporation generally creates a legal person separate from its shareholders. However, the certificate is evidence of incorporation—not a licence that authorises every business activity and not a guarantee that shareholders or directors can never incur personal liability.
A certificate confirming incorporation may be requested when a company is:
- Opening or updating an overseas corporate bank account
- Entering a material contract
- Applying for financing
- Completing an investment or acquisition
- Establishing an overseas subsidiary or branch
- Participating in a tender
- Applying for certain licences or permits
- Undergoing legalisation or overseas due diligence
Whether the certificate is required depends on the requesting institution. Many Singapore counterparties can verify an entity through Bizfile or review its Business Profile instead.
Parties conducting due diligence should also check the company’s current status. A historical certificate of incorporation does not, by itself, show whether the company is presently live, in liquidation, struck off or subject to later changes.
Who Issues The Singapore Certificate Of Incorporation?
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, or ACRA, administers Singapore’s business registry and provides the Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company through Bizfile.
Following successful registration, ACRA sends the applicant a notice of successful incorporation through Bizfile. The notice provides the company’s UEN, which the company uses when dealing with Singapore government agencies. The applicant also receives access to a free copy of the company’s Business Profile.
The separately purchased statutory certificate costs S$50 per copy and carries the electronic signature of an ACRA Assistant Registrar.
How to Obtain a Singapore Certificate of Incorporation
Only an authorised person may purchase most statutory certificates on behalf of an entity. The following process describes how to obtain a Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company through Bizfile.
Step 1: Log in to Bizfile
Access ACRA’s Bizfile portal and log in using the applicable Singpass or Corppass access.
Bizfile is ACRA’s digital portal for business registration, statutory filings and business-information services.
Step 2: Open the Certificates Information-Product Page
Navigate to the section for buying business information and select Certificates.
Search for the relevant entity using its registered name or UEN. Select the Certificate Confirming Registration or Incorporation of Entity that applies to the company.
Step 3: Confirm Your Authority and Pay the S$50 Fee
The Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company is classified as a statutory certificate.
ACRA currently charges S$50 per copy for a statutory certificate. By comparison, a Certificate of Good Standing costs S$11 per copy.
STATISTIC-SOURCE: https://www.bizfile.gov.sg/buy-info/info-products/certificates
Review the order details, provide the required delivery email address and complete payment using an available payment method.
Step 4: Obtain the Download Code
After successful payment, ACRA sends a delivery notification containing a unique product download code to the specified email address, normally within 15 minutes.
Where the purchase was made using Singpass or Corppass, the code may also be accessed through the user’s Bizfile inbox.
Step 5: Download and Store the Certificate
Open ACRA’s product-download page and enter:
- The unique download code; and
- The delivery email address used for the purchase.
Download the certificate and retain it securely with the company’s permanent corporate records.
ACRA currently requires free and purchased information products to be downloaded within 30 days. No extension is available after that period.
Who Is Eligible to Purchase the Singapore Company Certificate of Incorporation?
ACRA restricts the purchase of statutory certificates to authorised persons acting on behalf of the entity.
The eligible categories currently listed by ACRA are:
- Company officers, such as directors or company secretaries
- Business owners
- Authorised representatives
- Partners and managers of a limited liability partnership or limited partnership
- Authorised corporate service providers
- Group secretaries
ACRA distinguishes these statutory certificates from a Certificate of Good Standing, which may be purchased by anyone when the product is available for the company.
How Can a Recipient Verify the Certificate?
A recipient should not rely solely on the appearance of a PDF certificate.
ACRA provides the free trustBar verification service for supported products, including a Business Profile and a Certificate Confirming Registration or Incorporation of Entity. The service allows a recipient to verify the authenticity of the document and preview the information associated with it.
For overseas use, the receiving institution may also request legalisation. ACRA states that its electronically certified products are recognised by the Singapore Academy of Law, which provides legalisation services for documents that must be submitted to foreign embassies, commissions or authorities.
Before ordering or legalising a certificate, confirm the receiving party’s requirements. It may require:
- A recently issued certificate
- A Certificate of Good Standing instead of an incorporation certificate
- A Business Profile showing current officers and registered information
- Singapore Academy of Law legalisation
- Additional notarisation or authentication in the destination jurisdiction
How We Can Help – Our Incorporation Service
Incorporating a company in Singapore involves several registration and ongoing compliance requirements. Premia TNC’s consultants can guide business owners through the incorporation process and help prepare the information required for submission to ACRA.
We can also assist businesses in identifying which ACRA document is appropriate for a bank, regulator, investor or overseas counterparty.
In addition to incorporation support, we offer ongoing corporate secretarial and compliance services. Whether you require assistance maintaining company records, making statutory filings or obtaining an ACRA information product, our team can support your business throughout its lifecycle.
Contact us to arrange a consultation and learn more about setting up and maintaining a company in Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I obtain a certificate of incorporation in Singapore?
An authorised person can purchase a Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company through ACRA’s Bizfile portal.
Select the relevant company and statutory certificate, pay the S$50 fee and use the download code sent to the delivery email address to retrieve the document. ACRA generally sends the code within 15 minutes after successful payment.
2. Is a certificate of incorporation automatically issued when a Singapore company is registered?
No separate signed statutory certificate is automatically provided as part of an ordinary company registration.
After approval, ACRA sends a notice of successful incorporation, the company’s UEN and access to a free Business Profile. An authorised person may subsequently purchase the statutory certificate if it is required.
3. What should I do if I lose my certificate?
Because ACRA has delivered its business information products digitally since June 2018, first check the email address and Bizfile inbox associated with the purchase.
If the 30-day download period has expired or the downloaded file cannot be located, an authorised person may need to purchase another copy through Bizfile. ACRA no longer provides hard-copy certificates.
4. Who can purchase the certificate?
Most statutory certificates may be purchased only by an authorised person acting for the entity, such as a director, company secretary, business owner, authorised representative, group secretary or authorised corporate service provider.
5. Does the certificate prove that the company is currently active?
Not necessarily. The certificate confirms the company’s incorporation on the date stated.
For evidence of current live existence, consider obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing, reviewing a current Business Profile or checking the entity’s status through Bizfile.
6. How long does it take to receive the certificate?
ACRA states that the delivery email containing the product download code is generally sent within 15 minutes after successful payment. The certificate must then be downloaded within 30 days.
7. Can anyone buy a Certificate of Good Standing?
Yes, ACRA states that anyone may buy a Certificate of Good Standing if that certificate is available for the relevant live local or foreign company.
This differs from other statutory certificates, which are restricted to authorised persons acting for the entity.
8. Is a Business Profile the same as a certificate of incorporation?
No. A Business Profile contains registered information about the entity, such as its status and key company particulars. A Certificate Confirming Incorporation of Company is a statutory certificate confirming the company’s incorporation on a stated date.
The requesting institution should specify which document it needs.
