Yes. ACRA says every Singapore company must have at least one director and one company secretary, appointed within six months of registration. The secretary must be a real person who meets the local residency rules, and cannot be the same person as the sole director.
What the rules say
ACRA’s guide to company officers sets out three requirements for a company secretary:
- They must be a real person, not a company.
- They must be a Singapore citizen, a permanent resident, or someone who meets the local residency rules.
- They cannot be the same person as the sole director.
The post cannot stay empty for more than six months. If it does, the director may face a fine of up to S$1,000.
What a company secretary does
ACRA lists the administrative work as keeping the company’s information and registers up to date, organising meetings and taking notes, reminding directors about annual filing deadlines, and updating everyone on new rules. In practice that means resolutions, filing changes of director or address, and the annual return.
Do it yourself or use a firm?
| A director acts as secretary | An outside firm acts as secretary | |
|---|---|---|
| Fits when | Two or more directors and someone has time and the knowledge | You are the sole director, or you do not want to track dates |
| Main risk | Missed deadlines if no one owns the calendar | You must send documents and answer questions on time |
| Check first | The person meets the residency rules | Who exactly is appointed, and what is included in the fee |
A short checklist before you appoint
- Count your directors. A sole director needs a different person as secretary.
- Confirm the person meets the residency rules.
- Agree who tracks the annual return and other filing dates.
- Update your ACRA records when the appointment is made.
If you want us to act as your secretary, see our corporate secretarial service. If your books also need work, see accounting and bookkeeping.
Questions we often hear
Can I be my own company secretary?
If your company has two or more directors, one of them can act as secretary if they meet the residency rules. If you are the sole director, you cannot also be the secretary, because ACRA says the secretary cannot be the same person as the sole director.
Can a company be the company secretary?
No. ACRA requires the company secretary to be a real person. A firm can provide the person who acts as your secretary.
How soon must I appoint one?
Within six months of the company’s registration, and the post cannot be empty for more than six months.
Sources: ACRA: Appointing company directors and other key officers (updated 29 Jan 2026).