If you have just set up a Pte Ltd, you have probably been asked for a company stamp in Singapore – by a supplier, a bank, or a government form – and wondered whether it is even a legal requirement. Since the common seal rule changed in 2017, the answer surprises most business owners. Here is what the law actually says, what to put on your company chop, and how to pick the right stamp.
Key takeaways
- A company stamp (or “company chop”) is optional in Singapore – no law forces you to have one.
- The common seal requirement was removed on 31 March 2017, so seals are now optional too.
- Only your UEN is legally required on official documents, not a stamp.
- In practice, banks, suppliers, couriers and government forms still often ask for a company chop.
- Most Singapore businesses use a self-inking rubber stamp with the company name and UEN.
A company stamp in Singapore is a rubber stamp that imprints your company name and UEN onto everyday documents. It is not legally required, but it is widely used to make invoices, letters, receipts and forms look official. Since 31 March 2017, even the common seal is optional, so a company chop today is a practical tool, not a legal obligation.
A self-inking company stamp (chop) used to mark an invoice as officially issued by a Singapore business.
What is a company stamp (company chop)?
A company stamp, also called a company chop, is a rubber stamp that prints your company’s details – usually the registered name and UEN – onto paper documents. Singapore businesses use it to mark invoices, delivery orders, letters and forms as officially issued by the company. It carries no special legal power on its own; it is a mark of authenticity and convenience.
The word “chop” comes from everyday Singapore and Malaysian English for a stamp or seal. A company chop is normally a self-inking rubber stamp, though traditional wooden-handle stamps and pre-inked stamps are also used. On our production floor, the company chop is one of the most repeat-ordered items for newly incorporated businesses.
Do you legally need a company stamp in Singapore?
No. A company stamp is not legally required in Singapore. Under the Companies Act, only your UEN must appear on official documents such as business letters, invoices and statements of account. Nothing in the law says a company must own or use a rubber stamp to make a document valid. A chop is optional, though often expected in practice.
The confusion usually comes from mixing up the company stamp with the common seal. Before 31 March 2017, a company needed a common seal to execute deeds and share certificates. That requirement was removed by the Companies (Amendment) Act 2017. Companies can now sign deeds with two authorised signatories – for example a director and the company secretary, or a director in front of a witness. See ACRA’s note on the removal of the common seal requirement.
Company stamp vs company seal: what is the difference?
A company stamp is a rubber ink stamp for everyday documents, while a company seal (common seal) is an embossing device once used to execute deeds. Both are optional in Singapore today. The stamp is the one you will actually use week to week; the seal is now rare and kept only by companies that prefer it for formal deeds.
| Company stamp (chop) | Company seal (common seal) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Rubber ink stamp | Embossing / pressing device |
| Typical use | Invoices, letters, receipts, forms | Deeds, share certificates |
| Legal status now | Optional (never mandatory) | Optional since 31 March 2017 |
| How common today | Widely used | Rare |
What should you put on a company stamp?
Put your registered company name and UEN on your company stamp. These are the two details Singapore recipients look for, and the UEN is the one figure the Companies Act requires on official documents. Many businesses also add the registered address, a contact number, or a logo, but none of these are compulsory – keep it clean and legible.
A common layout is the company name on the top line, the UEN below it, and an optional address or phone line at the base. If you want a round chop for a more formal look, the name usually curves around the edge with the UEN in the centre. Decide the shape first, because it sets how much text fits.
A company stamp showing Orange Print Pte Ltd. Commonly use for office & company stamp.
When will you actually be asked for a company chop?
You will be asked for a company chop when a counterparty wants a visible sign that your company issued or approved a document. Common triggers in Singapore include bank and CPF forms, tenancy and supplier agreements, purchase orders and invoices, grant applications, and courier or delivery authorisations. It is optional in law but treated as standard practice by many organisations.
Because you cannot predict which supplier or officer will ask, most companies simply order a chop at incorporation and keep it with the secretary or finance staff. It costs little and removes a small friction that tends to appear at the worst moment – just before a submission deadline.
Self-inking, pre-inked or traditional: which rubber stamp should you choose?
For a company chop, a self-inking rubber stamp is the practical default. It has the ink pad built in, re-inks itself on every press, and gives clean impressions for around 10,000 stamps before re-inking. Traditional stamps need a separate ink pad, and pre-inked stamps suit very high volumes, but self-inking hits the sweet spot for office use.
| Type | How it inks | Impressions before re-ink | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional rubber | Pressed onto a separate ink pad each time | Depends on the pad | Occasional or craft use |
| Self-inking | Built-in water-based pad, auto re-inks | Around 10,000 | Daily company chop, office use |
| Pre-inked | Oil-based ink held in the die | Around 50,000 | Very high volume, fine detail |
We stock genuine Colop self-inking mounts in rectangular, square and round shapes, so you can match the stamp to your logo and text. Blue ink is standard, with other colours on request. For most Singapore SMEs, a small rectangular self-inking chop with the company name and UEN is all they ever need.
How to order a company stamp in Singapore
To order a company stamp in Singapore, choose your model and send us your company name and UEN. At Orange Print, artwork is free – our team lays out your chop and sends a proof before printing. Company stamps start from S$11.00 (excludes GST), with standard turnaround of 5 to 7 working days and express available on request.
“Set up a new Pte Ltd and needed a company chop fast. Sent our company name and UEN, approved the proof the same day, and collected the stamp in Sembawang that week.”
– Small business owner, north Singapore
Order your self-inking rubber stamp online, browse our commercial stationery range, or pair it with matching letterheads. Questions? WhatsApp us at 8438 1313 or use the live chat box at the bottom right of any page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a company stamp compulsory in Singapore?
No. A company stamp is not compulsory in Singapore. No law requires a company to own or use one. Only your UEN must appear on official documents under the Companies Act. Many banks, suppliers and government forms still ask for a chop, so most companies keep one for convenience.
What should a company stamp include?
A company stamp should include your registered company name and UEN, as these are what Singapore recipients check. You can also add the registered address, a contact number or a logo, but none are legally required. Keep the layout clean so every impression stays sharp and readable.
What is the difference between a company stamp and a company seal?
A company stamp is a rubber ink stamp for everyday documents like invoices and letters. A company seal, or common seal, is an embossing device once used to execute deeds. Both are optional in Singapore. The stamp is used often; the seal is now rare after the 2017 law change.
Do I still need a common seal after 2017?
No. Since 31 March 2017, companies are not required to have a common seal. Deeds and share certificates can be executed by two authorised signatories instead, such as a director and the company secretary. You may keep a seal if you prefer, but it is entirely optional.
How long does a self-inking company stamp last?
A self-inking company stamp gives around 10,000 clean impressions before it needs re-inking, and the ink cartridge is refillable after that. With normal office use, one stamp lasts years. Re-inking takes seconds and avoids buying a new stamp.
How much does a company stamp cost in Singapore?
At Orange Print, company stamps start from S$11.00 (excludes GST), with the exact price depending on the model and size. Artwork is free, standard turnaround is 5 to 7 working days, and express service is available on request. Send your company name and UEN to get a proof.
The bottom line: a company stamp in Singapore is optional, but it remains the quickest way to make your documents look official and to satisfy the banks, suppliers and forms that still expect one. Put your name and UEN on a self-inking chop, and you are set. Order your self-inking rubber stamp from Orange Print.
