U.S. Embassy Singapore

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Singapore is not a party to the Hague Service Convention.  In the absence of any prohibition against it, service of process in Singapore may be effected by mail, by agent, such as a local attorney, or through letters rogatory.  Litigants may wish to consult an attorney in Singapore before pursuing a particular method of service of process, particularly if enforcement of a U.S. judgment is contemplated in the future.

Service on a Foreign State:  See also our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist for questions about service on a foreign state, agency or instrumentality.

Prosecution Requests:  U.S. federal or state prosecutors should also contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.

 Defense Requests in Criminal Matters:  Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.

Singapore is a party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters.  The Singapore Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention designated to receive letters of request for the taking of evidence is the Supreme Court of Singapore.  See the Hague Evidence Convention Model Letters of Request for guidance on preparation of the letter of request.  Requests for the compulsion of evidence under the Hague Evidence Convention are transmitted directly from the requesting court or person in the United States to the Singapore Central Authority and do not require transmittal via diplomatic channels.  Letters of Request and accompanying documents should be prepared in duplicate.  See Singapore’s Declarations and Reservations regarding the Hague Evidence Convention.  See also Singapore’s response to the 2008 Hague Conference questionnaire on the practical operation of the Hague Evidence Convention.  

Requests from Singapore to Obtain Evidence in the United States:  The U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention is the Office of International Judicial Assistance, Civil Division, Department of Justice, 1100 L St., N.W., Room 11006, Washington, D.C. 20530.

Singapore has excluded the application of Chapter II of the Hague Evidence Convention and therefore consular depositions or depositions conducted pursuant to a commission are not permitted.

Singapore is a party to the Hague Evidence Convention and has excluded the application of Chapter II of the Convention. Therefore, consular depositions or depositions conducted pursuant to a commission are not permitted. Depositions may be taken pursuant to letters of request submitted directly to the Singapore Central Authority for the Convention. Complete details and contact information may be found on the Hague Conference website.

Singapore is not a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Legalization of Foreign Public Documents.  Documents issued in the United States may be authenticated for use in Singapore by (a) contacting the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office and (b) then having the seal of the U.S. Department of State authenticated by the Embassy of Singapore in Washington, D.C. Documents issued in U.S. states must first be authenticated by the designated state authority, generally the state Secretary of State.