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Certificate of Secretary
I need a Certificate of Secretary to confirm the resolutions passed at the recent board meeting, including the approval of the annual financial statements and the appointment of new directors, ensuring compliance with the Companies Act and relevant corporate governance standards.
What is a Certificate of Secretary?
A Certificate of Secretary proves that a company secretary's statements or actions are official and properly authorized under Singapore's Companies Act. It's commonly used when the secretary needs to confirm important company decisions, verify document authenticity, or certify board resolutions.
Singapore companies rely on these certificates for many key business activities, from opening bank accounts to filing with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority). The certificate carries legal weight because company secretaries have statutory duties to ensure corporate compliance and maintain accurate records. Banks, government agencies, and business partners often request this document as proof of corporate authority.
When should you use a Certificate of Secretary?
You need a Certificate of Secretary when your Singapore company makes major business moves that require official verification. Common situations include opening corporate bank accounts, executing contracts with significant partners, or filing important documents with ACRA. The certificate proves your company secretary has properly authorized these actions.
Many organizations use these certificates during corporate restructuring, when changing registered addresses, or updating signature authorities. Banks and government agencies often require them for compliance purposes. Having certificates ready before key transactions helps avoid delays and complications in time-sensitive business dealings.
What are the different types of Certificate of Secretary?
- Certification of Corporate Actions: Used to verify board resolutions, shareholder decisions, or major company changes
- Bank Account Authority Certificate: Confirms authorized signatories and banking powers for financial institutions
- Compliance Verification Certificate: Documents adherence to specific regulatory requirements or filing obligations
- Document Authentication Certificate: Validates the authenticity of company documents, corporate records, or official filings
- Officer Authorization Certificate: Verifies the appointment and powers of company officers or representatives
Who should typically use a Certificate of Secretary?
- Company Secretaries: Primary drafters who prepare and sign these certificates, leveraging their statutory authority under Singapore's Companies Act
- Board Directors: Often request or rely on these certificates to validate corporate decisions and demonstrate proper governance
- Banks and Financial Institutions: Request certificates when opening accounts or processing significant transactions
- ACRA: Accepts these certificates as supporting documentation for various corporate filings
- Business Partners: May require certificates as proof of corporate authority before entering major agreements
How do you write a Certificate of Secretary?
- Company Details: Gather accurate corporate information including UEN, registered address, and current directors' details
- Meeting Records: Locate relevant board minutes or resolutions that need certification
- Purpose Statement: Clearly identify the specific transaction or filing requiring the certificate
- Authority Check: Confirm your appointment as company secretary is properly registered with ACRA
- Document Format: Use our platform's templates to ensure compliance with Singapore's legal requirements and proper formatting
- Supporting Documents: Collect any referenced materials that need to be attached or cited
What should be included in a Certificate of Secretary?
- Company Identification: Full legal name, UEN, and registered office address
- Secretary Declaration: Clear statement of your position and authority as company secretary
- Subject Matter: Specific details of what is being certified (resolution, document, or corporate action)
- Verification Statement: Explicit confirmation that the certified information is true and accurate
- Reference Documents: Citations of relevant board minutes, resolutions, or supporting materials
- Execution Block: Date, signature, and secretary's name in compliance with Companies Act requirements
What's the difference between a Certificate of Secretary and a Certificate of Incumbency?
A Certificate of Secretary is often confused with a Certificate of Incumbency, but they serve distinct purposes in Singapore's corporate governance framework. While both documents verify company information, their scope and application differ significantly.
- Issuing Authority: A Certificate of Secretary is issued by the company secretary, while a Certificate of Incumbency typically comes from a registered agent or public notary
- Scope of Verification: Secretary certificates focus on specific corporate actions or resolutions, while incumbency certificates confirm broader details about company officers, directors, and shareholding structure
- Primary Use: Secretary certificates support internal corporate decisions and local transactions, while incumbency certificates are more commonly used for international business dealings and overseas bank accounts
- Legal Weight: Secretary certificates carry statutory authority under the Companies Act for domestic matters, while incumbency certificates hold greater recognition for cross-border transactions
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