Short answer: To change your company secretary, appoint the new secretary and withdraw the old one through Bizfile within 14 days of the change. The new secretary must be a real person whose principal or only place of residence is in Singapore, and cannot be the sole director. A corporate service provider can file the change for you.
Last checked against ACRA pages on 31 October 2026. Government pages change, so confirm before you act.
Who can be your new company secretary?
ACRA says a company secretary must be a real person (not a company) and must not be the same person as the sole director. The Companies Act (s171(1)) requires the secretary's principal or only place of residence to be in Singapore. See our guide to what a company secretary fee should include for the wider picture.
The steps to switch
| Step | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose the new secretary | Pick a person who meets the rules above and agrees to take the role. | ACRA |
| 2. Record the decision | Most companies record the change in a written directors' resolution. Check your constitution for anything that applies to your company. | Common practice |
| 3. File on Bizfile | Log in to Bizfile as a business user (through Corppass) and use the "Appoint/Withdraw position holder" service to appoint the new secretary and withdraw the old one. ACRA says changes must be reported within 14 days, and there is no ACRA fee for this filing. Company officers cannot withdraw themselves: another authorised officer of the company, or a corporate service provider, must submit the withdrawal. | ACRA |
| 4. Endorsement | ACRA says most changes need the affected position holder to endorse within 14 days, or the update may be rejected. Endorsement is not needed for transactions filed by a corporate service provider. | ACRA |
| 5. Hand over the records | Ask the outgoing secretary for the minute book, signed resolutions and anything the company keeps outside Bizfile. ACRA says the electronic Register of Secretaries updates automatically when you file through Bizfile. | ACRA |
If the filing is late, ACRA can apply late-lodgement penalties. Source: ACRA.
What if the company has no secretary for a while?
ACRA says a company must appoint a secretary within six months of incorporation, and the position cannot be empty for more than six months, otherwise the director may face a fine of up to S$1,000. If you are replacing a secretary, appoint the new one before the old one leaves wherever you can. Source: ACRA.
What if the secretary resigns or stops responding?
ACRA lets an individual position holder notify it of their own resignation as secretary, with a copy of the resignation letter, evidence the company received the notice and evidence of attempts to contact the company officers, if there is reasonable cause to believe the company will not act. The company is still required to report the change to ACRA within 14 days. Source: ACRA.
Switching to AAA
If you switch to AAA, email cosec@aaacorpsvc.com in writing. We provide your company secretary (a named individual). Your directors appoint the company secretary (Companies Act s171(3)). We prepare the directors' resolution for them to sign, set up the registers from the records your outgoing secretary hands over, and file the change with ACRA once the directors have approved it and our onboarding and identity checks are complete. AAA's company secretary service is S$360 / year, all-in, incl. S$60 ACRA annual return fee. No GST is charged. See the pricing page and the company secretary page.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a change of company secretary?
ACRA says the company must report a change of secretary through Bizfile within 14 days of the change, to avoid late-lodgement penalties.
Which ACRA service do I use to change my company secretary?
The "Appoint/Withdraw position holder" service on Bizfile, accessed through Corppass as a business user. ACRA charges no fee for it. A corporate service provider can file it for you.
Does the new company secretary have to confirm the appointment?
Usually yes. ACRA says most appointments need the affected person to endorse the filing within 14 days. Endorsement is not required when a corporate service provider files.
Can I be my own company secretary?
Only if you are not the sole director. A company secretary cannot be the same person as the sole director, and must be a real person whose principal or only place of residence is in Singapore (Companies Act s171(1)).
Can a company be the company secretary?
No. ACRA says a company secretary must be a real person, not a company.
Can I switch my company secretary to AAA?
Yes. Email cosec@aaacorpsvc.com in writing. Your directors appoint the company secretary (Companies Act s171(3)). We prepare the directors' resolution for them to sign, set up the registers from the records your outgoing secretary hands over, and file the change with ACRA once the directors have approved it and our onboarding and identity checks are complete.
Sources
- ACRA: appointing or withdrawing position holders
- ACRA: updating company information, officers and shareholders
- ACRA: filing a notice of cessation or resignation of a position holder
- ACRA: Step 4.3, choosing company directors and other key officers (last updated 29 Jan 2026)
- ACRA: company registers, requirements and deadlines
- Companies Act 1967, s171 (company secretary)
- AAA Corporate Services: published packages and pricing
- AAA Corporate Services: company secretary page
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with ACRA, MOM and IRAS and your own advisers.
Related guides
- Company Secretary Cost in Singapore: What to Compare (2026)
- Why Every Singapore Company Needs a Company Secretary
- Annual Return Filing in Singapore: Deadlines and Penalties (2026)
Talk to AAA Corporate Services
AAA Corporate Services Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore corporate services firm for incorporation, company secretarial, accounting and tax. Send us your company name or UEN and we will confirm the handover steps. Fees are published, include ACRA fees where stated, and carry no GST.
Message us on WhatsApp · Email cosec@aaacorpsvc.com · See all fees