From 2025, it will be possible to make electronic apostilles for documents online in Singapore, THE EDGE reports. The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) is working on the implementation of the new technology in cooperation with the Infocommunications Media Development Authority.
After the launch of the special platform, citizens will be able to upload documents for apostille certification online at any time convenient for them. The verification will take only a few minutes, after which the applicant will receive digital apostilles to their e-mail.
The first phase of the e-Apostille implementation will cover documents issued by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, as well as business registration and certification certificates. The new system will use ACRA's TrustBar verification service to check documents before legalization and before issuing an e-Apostille certificate. The Singapore government will announce the expansion of the program to documents from other agencies when it is technically ready.
The electronic apostille service will cost $10.7, as will the physical apostille stamp. The paper version of the apostille will remain after the introduction of e-Apostille.
"The e-Apostille marks the latest step in SAL's efforts to...provide greater convenience... to the public. The move to digital technology will speed up document processing and reduce the administrative burden for businesses," said SAL CEO Yeong Zee Kin.
Singapore will be one of the first countries in the world to implement electronic apostille using the World Wide Web Consortium's Verifiable Credentials specifications. This will potentially simplify the process of using apostilled documents internationally.
