Get Company Stamp in Singapore: Company Chop vs Common Seal (2026 Guide)
At Expede Tech Pte Ltd, our mission is to deliver tech-enabled, cloud-first corporate secretarial and accounting solutions that help Singapore modernise their back office.
When starting or running a private limited company (Pte Ltd) in Singapore, navigating corporate governance requirements can raise many practical questions. A common point of confusion for founders is the distinction between a Company Stamp (Rubber Chop) and a Common Seal—and whether physical stamps are still necessary in a modern, digital-first business environment.
This guide breaks down current Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) regulations, explaining what is legally required, what is optional, and how to execute contracts securely.
What is a Company Stamp (Rubber Chop)?
A Company Stamp (commonly called a "chop") is a self-inking rubber stamp displaying your company’s key identification details.
Key Characteristics
Function: Serves as official visual acknowledgment that a document is processed by or on behalf of the company entity.
Color: Standard practice in Singapore is to use blue or purple ink so original "wet ink" applications stand out clearly against black photocopies or scans.
Primary Use: Daily administration, manual form filing, acknowledging deliveries, or setting up traditional banking forms.
Company Stamp vs. Common Seal: At a Glance
Feature | Company Stamp (Rubber Chop) | Common Seal |
Material | Self-inking rubber stamp | Metal embossing tool (creates a 3D impression) |
Primary Role | Administrative & operational acknowledgement | Formal corporate execution / Ceremonial acts |
Frequency | Used regularly in routine paperwork | Rarely used (or eliminated in modern workflows) |
Common Uses | Invoices, delivery receipts, bank forms | Share certificates, physical property deeds |
Expede Tip: A rubber stamp is an administrative marker, not a replacement for legally binding document execution. Using a rubber chop on a formal legal deed that requires authorized execution does not make the document valid on its own.
Is a Common Seal Still Mandatory in Singapore?
No.
Under Sections 41A, 41B, and 41C of the Singapore Companies Act, companies can execute documents without a physical Common Seal.
Valid Execution Without a Seal
A document is validly executed under legal authority when signed on behalf of the company by:
Two Directors of the company; OR
One Director + The Company Secretary; OR
One Director in the presence of a witness who attests the signature.
When Might You Still Encounter a Seal?
Legacy Constitutions: If your company constitution was drafted before 2017 and explicitly states that documents must be executed under seal, you must follow that rule or update your Constitution.
Overseas Counterparties: Foreign jurisdictions that have not modernized their corporate laws may still expect a physical seal impression on international agreements.
Traditional Share Certificates: While digital share registers and electronic certificates are standard modern practices, some investors prefer traditional physical share certificates stamped with an embossed seal.
Mandatory Details Required on Company Documents
Under Singapore law, your company’s registered name and Unique Entity Number (UEN) must appear clearly on official business documentation (e.g., tax invoices, official notices, letters).
While a rubber stamp is a convenient way to apply these details to paper documents, adding these details directly into your digital templates (inv, receipts, contracts) satisfies ACRA requirements without needing a physical stamp.
Key Details Required:
Company Name: Must match the exact entity name registered with ACRA (e.g., Expede Tech Pte. Ltd.).
UEN: The unique identification number assigned by ACRA.
Registered Office Address: (Optional for standard chops, but recommended for billing templates/address stamps).
Practical Scenarios: Chops, Seals, and Digital Signatures
Scenario 1: Receiving Office Supplies or Goods
Action: Staff stamp the physical Delivery Order (DO) with the company rubber chop and add a signature.
Why: It provides administrative proof of receipt for daily bookkeeping records.
Scenario 2: Signing a Commercial Tenancy or Service Agreement Online
Action: Authorized directors execute the contract using secured electronic signature platforms (e.g., DocuSign, SingPass Sign).
Why: Fully valid and legally binding under the Electronic Transactions Act without requiring physical wet-ink stamps or seals.
Scenario 3: Opening a Corporate Bank Account
Action: Directors provide signatures and company rubber chop impressions where requested on traditional bank application forms.
Why: Some financial institutions retain verification protocols that involve physical signature and chop samples.
Managing Physical Stamps and Security
Because a company chop or seal signals official company endorsement, proper custody is vital:
Control Access: Keep physical chops stored securely to prevent unauthorized staff from stamping invoices or letters.
Proper Disposal: If your company undergoes a name change or gets struck off, physical rubber faces should be cut up into pieces, and metal seal plates should be defaced before disposal to prevent fraud.
How Expede Tech Streamlines Your Corporate Compliance
At Expede Tech Pte Ltd, we help entrepreneurs modernize their back-office operations with tech-driven, paperless accounting and corporate secretarial solutions.
Cloud-First Corporate Secretarial: Securely manage and store your corporate registers, board resolutions, and statutory filings online.
Company Formation & Kit Preparation: We prepare compliant constitutions and corporate documentation tailored to modern signature standards.
Accounting & Tax Management: Seamlessly transition your paper invoices and manual workflows to automated, paperless bookkeeping systems.
Need assistance managing your corporate secretarial obligations or upgrading your corporate workflow? Explore Expede Tech's Corporate Services or contact our team at admin@expede.com.sg.
Executive Summary
Company Chop (Rubber Stamp): A practical administrative tool used on daily paperwork (e.g., invoices, delivery orders).
Common Seal: A traditional metal embosser used for executing high-level formal documents like deeds and share certificates.
ACRA Legal Requirement: Since March 31, 2017, Singapore companies are no longer legally required to hold or use a Common Seal. Documents can be validly executed via authorized signatures (e.g., two directors, or one director + company secretary).
The Cloud-First Shift: With Singapore’s Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) and platforms like SingPass and DocuSign, digital signatures are legally binding, reducing the reliance on physical chops.
How Expede Tech Helps: As a tech-enabled corporate secretarial provider, we assist with your company constitution, corporate kit preparation, and cloud-based document compliance.
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