The legal paperwork can seem like an uphill battle when a family member dies with assets dispersed across multiple countries. You don’t have to start the probate process from scratch. If you’ve already obtained it in the UK (or another Commonwealth nation), but you’ve learnt that the deceased had assets, shares, or bank accounts in Singapore. Read on to find out all you need to know about resealing probate in Singapore.
What is Resealing Grant Of Probate In Singapore?
If you are dealing with probate that includes assets in Singapore, you could use a procedure known as Resealing. Think of it as a legal passport that enables the Singaporean courts to accept and authenticate your current Grant of Probate.
As a Commonwealth member, Singapore allows probate resealing. Compared to applying for a new grant, this is quicker and less expensive. In essence, you are requesting that your current foreign document be given full legal force in the Lion City by the High Court of Singapore. Which will affix its own seal.
How To Reseal A Grant Of Probate?
In Singapore, three major requirements must be met to reseal probate:
- The Jurisdiction. The initial grant must come from Hong Kong or a Commonwealth nation, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand.
- The Domicile. At the time of death, the deceased had to be “domiciled” that is, permanently residing, in that nation.
- The Assets. There must be physical assets in Singapore, such as OCBC shares, a DBS bank account, or a condominium in District 9.
To begin, the court requires a Court-Certified Copy of the original Grant and the Will. These must bear the physical or digital seal of the granting court. A standard solicitor’s copy is rarely enough. You will also need a detailed Schedule of Assets listing every account number and its market value as of the date of death.
Singapore’s eLitigation system is highly sophisticated. Unlike in the UK, where individuals often handle probate themselves, it is almost always navigated by a Singaporean attorney acting on your behalf. Once the judge is satisfied the paperwork is in order, they will issue a Memorandum of Resealing.
How Long Does It Take To Reseal A Grant Of Probate?
The average time frame for a simple resealing in 2026 is two to three months. It may take a bit longer, typically 4 months, if the deceased left no will (Letters of Administration.) As the court may require an Administration Bond, a type of insurance. to safeguard the inheritance.
Even though Estate Duty (Inheritance Tax) was eliminated in Singapore in 2008. You must still demonstrate to the court that no tax is due. The “Clearance” from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) will be handled by your attorney as part of the procedure.
