Though it can be quite a hassle, keeping and maintaining documents help to serve as tangible proof of your development with the approval of the state government. Official certificates and documents can help you get licensed to form your company and carry out your business plans.
According to Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), there are several certificates available for purchase by incorporating companies in Singapore. Read on to find out which certificates you should get for your company.
1. Certificate of Good Standing
The Certificate of Good Standing is a document that certifies your current status as a registered company in Singapore. It includes the company’s number, activities and description, date and receipt, and the ACRA registrar’s scanned signature. This certificate can be purchased by the public and validates live companies.
The cost of this certificate is affordable, at $11 per copy. However, you should take note that this certificate is subject to availability to members of the public.
Click here for a sample of the Certificate of Good Standing.
2. Certificate of Confirming Registration or Incorporation of Identity
The confirming certificate gives accredited registered entities in the country. However, do take note that while the structure of your company is approved, registrations are filed under governing agencies. Certificates to buy essential details such as the effective date of the incorporated company. The types of registration certificates are as follows:
-
Incorporation of company
-
Registration of Business Name
-
Registration of Limited Liability Partnership
-
Registration of Limited Partnership
-
Registration of Foreign Company
Samples of the registration certificates above can be found on the ACRA website. This certificate costs $50.
3. Certificate Confirming Registration of Charge
This certifies that a charge has been made after an entity has registered a charge with ACRA. It includes authentication number, signature, business profile and charged identification. It also covers debentures created by your company. Since most companies will have to confirm their registration with ACRA, this will be a good certificate to have.
This certificate costs $50.
4. Certificate under Section 61(7) Companies Act - Confirming Company is Entitled to Commence Business and Exercise its Borrowing Powers
This certificate serves as official confirmation that the company has fulfilled the necessary legal requirements to operate and take on financial obligations. Before the certificate can be purchased, the company must first submit the "Notice of Compliance by Company That Has Not Issued Prospectus" via the relevant filing process.
5. Certificate of Conversion (Entity and Company Type)
Though it will not be necessary for every company to get certificates of conversion, the following confirms the conversion of the company structure and business entities.
This certificate legitimises the following conversions:
-
From Business to Limited Liability Partnership.
-
From Company to Limited Liability Partnership.
-
From Limited Company to Unlimited company.
-
From Private Company to Public Company.
-
From Public Company to Private Company.
-
From Unlimited Company to Company Limited by Guarantee.
-
From Unlimited Company to Company Limited by Shares.
The cost of getting this certificate is $50 for both entity types and company types.
When and Why You Might Need These Certificates
These ACRA-issued certificates are more than just formalities—they serve critical functions in various corporate and legal processes. You may need one or more of these certificates in the following scenarios:
-
Opening a Corporate Bank Account: Banks often require a Certificate of Good Standing or incorporation documents to verify the legitimacy of your company.
-
Applying for Government Grants or Licenses: Regulatory bodies may ask for confirmation of your company’s status and legal structure.
-
Entering Into Contracts or Tenders: Business partners, especially large corporations or government entities, may require validation of your company’s registration or structure.
-
Raising Capital or Attracting Investors: Investors may request these documents as part of their due diligence.
-
Company Structural Changes: When converting your company type or registering charges (e.g., for loans), the respective certificate is required.
Key Takeaways
|
Certificate |
Purpose |
Cost (SGD) |
Who Can Access |
Common Use Cases |
|
Certificate of Good Standing |
Verifies that a company is currently registered and in good standing with ACRA |
$11 |
Public |
Bank account opening, investor checks, supplier verification |
|
Certificate of Confirming Registration or Incorporation |
Confirms a company’s official registration details |
$50 |
BizFile+ users |
License applications, grant submissions, regulatory compliance |
|
Certificate Confirming Registration of Charge |
Shows a company has registered a charge with ACRA (e.g., for loans) |
$50 |
BizFile+ users |
Loan documentation, investor transparency, credit arrangements |
|
Certificate Confirming Approval to Hold Land (Section 23(5)) |
Authorises a company to hold or purchase land |
$50 |
Authorised officers & filing agents only |
Property acquisition, business premises leasing |
|
Certificate of Conversion |
Confirms a change in the entity or company structure |
$50 |
BizFile+ users |
Legal restructuring, reclassification of business type |
Getting Certification For Your Incorporate Company in Singapore
These are just several of the certifications under ACRA. To find out more about certification, head over to ACRA’s website to take a look at what other certificates you can purchase from them.
If you need any help with ACRA-related matters or other paperwork, be sure to reach out to our experienced team at Margin Wheeler who will be able to sort it all out for you.
